[Interview] Jin Gyo-hoon, Gangseo District Mayor, "Accelerating New Economic Zone Development and Creating Future Growth Engines"

Emphasizing that the new economic axis in Gangseo-gu, connecting Gimpo Airport~ Magok MICE Complex~ Seoul Botanic Park~ LG Art Center~ Gayang CJ Factory Site, will become a major growth engine and future livelihood for Gangseo-gu

"This year is an important year marking the true beginning of the 8th term of the elected administration. We have set the district slogan as 'Together Adding the Future, Sharing Gangseo Together' to signify creating and sharing a new era of change with the residents, and established five major district administration goals."

Jin Gyo-hoon, Mayor of Gangseo-gu, Seoul, stated on the afternoon of the 26th, "This year, we plan to accelerate the implementation of the five major district goals and related projects," adding, "First, we aim to develop a 'balanced city that enhances value' between the old and new downtown areas."

He explained that they will actively support the redevelopment of aging low-rise residential areas in the original downtown, such as Hwagok-dong, by promoting the relaxation of height restrictions and establishing a 'Redevelopment and Reconstruction Support Center.' Mayor Jin said, "Gangseo-gu is subject to height restriction regulations on 97.3% of its total area around Gimpo Airport, which imposes many limitations on regional development, urban growth, and residents' property rights." He added, "Once the 2025 international standard revision is approved, we plan to persuade ICAO and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to apply it to Gimpo Airport as soon as possible."

Additionally, to create a 'safe and secure city comfortable for everyone,' they will operate a 'Disaster Safety Situation Room' for 24-hour uninterrupted disaster management. At the Safety Education Center, scheduled to be completed in April, experience-based disaster response training will be conducted to strengthen crisis response capabilities for various disaster situations. They also plan to expand CCTV facilities and safe return routes.

Furthermore, aiming to build a 'vibrant future economic city,' they plan to foster new economic axes by developing the Gimpo Airport Innovation District, Magok MICE industry, and the CJ site.

Mayor Jin said, "Immediately after taking office, I chose the development permit for the Gayang-dong CJ factory site as my first approval." He added, "The CJ factory site development is divided into three blocks, with construction scheduled to start in August this year. Once the delayed development projects gain momentum, it will greatly help revitalize the sluggish real estate market and local economy."

He particularly anticipated that if the new economic axis connecting Gimpo Airport, Magok MICE complex, Seoul Botanic Park, LG Arts Center, and Gayang CJ factory site is established, it will become a major growth engine and future source of income for Gangseo-gu.

He also expressed the goal of creating a 'welfare and health city where no neighbors are left behind,' by invigorating the lives of seniors through the construction of a comprehensive senior welfare center and expanding opportunities for social participation. Additionally, they plan to gradually expand care infrastructure such as neighborhood care centers, communal childcare rooms, and Seoul-style kids cafes, especially in areas with high demand for child care.

Regarding the integrated Gangseo-gu office building under construction in Magok-dong 745-3, he explained that it will have two underground floors and eight aboveground floors, with a total floor area of 59,377㎡. Construction began in June last year, and currently, underground excavation work is underway, with completion targeted for the end of 2026.

Mayor Jin Gyo-hoon stated, "We will create an educational and cultural city where all generations, from children to seniors, can freely 'dream and enjoy.'" He announced plans to establish the 'Cheongcheong Future Education Center,' a career and job experience space for youth, an eco-school for experiential environmental education such as carbon neutrality, and the construction of a Gayang branch of the Gangseo Library.