[Interview] Owen Seok, Dobong District Mayor: "Making 2024 a Year of Vigorous Leap and Great Transformation for Dobong"

GTX-C Line Dobong Section Undergrounding, Bukhansan Height Restriction Eased, Resolving Long-standing Resident Requests... Focus on Residential Environment Improvement through Reconstruction and Redevelopment, Advancing as a Transportation Hub City in Northeast Seoul

"Building on the achievements of 2023, we will continue to take bold challenges for greater change and growth in 2024. We will work diligently this year as well to implement policies that residents can truly feel."

Dobong-gu Mayor Oh Eon-seok reflected on the accomplishments of 2023 and introduced key resident-focused policies to be promoted this year during an interview held on the 2nd.

Last year, several long-standing major issues in Dobong-gu were resolved. The GTX-C line section in Dobong-gu was confirmed to be underground, and the strategic environmental impact assessment for the extension of the Ui-Banghak light rail project was approved. Additionally, the height restrictions on Bukhansan Mountain, which had been in place for 33 years, were eased, and the relocation site of the chemical unit, abandoned for 7 years since 2016 and covering about 20,000 pyeong, was tentatively decided to be relocated to Kukkiwon.

These achievements shone a light on Mayor Oh's proactive administration. To ease legal constraints and regulations hindering project progress, Mayor Oh continuously communicated the district's position to related agencies and relevant ministries, and if necessary, personally requested meetings. He said, "When I took office, Dobong-gu faced numerous unresolved challenges ranging from a few years to several decades. However, as I was elected by the residents' desire for change, I decided to confront these issues head-on. After knocking on countless doors of related agencies and ministries, I am pleased that we could achieve rewarding results."

This year, the top priority of the 8th local government term is improving residential environments and balanced development through reconstruction and redevelopment. Reconstruction and redevelopment are among Mayor Oh's core pledges. In January last year, a dedicated department for reconstruction and redevelopment was established, laying the groundwork for project promotion. The district continues to provide information to residents through the 'Maintenance Project Residents School' and 'Visiting Briefings,' and supports maintenance projects through the 'Maintenance Project Rapid Support Team,' composed of experts in various fields, reducing conflicts and confusion among residents. This year, a new online communication channel, the 'Maintenance Project Kakao Channel,' will be operated to actively support residents remotely.

Next, Mayor Oh proposed measures to advance Dobong-gu as a transportation hub in northeastern Seoul. There is a plan to extend the Suseo-origin SRT line to Changdong Station. Mayor Oh said, "If the underground GTX-C line shares tracks with the high-speed railway to extend the SRT to Changdong Station, residents in northeastern Seoul will be able to conveniently use the high-speed railway."

The extension of the Ui-Banghak light rail project is also a major focus. Mayor Oh stated, "In 2023, we overcame difficult hurdles such as demand reforecasting and passing the strategic environmental impact assessment. We will pay close attention to smoothly passing the basic plan approval and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's central investment review in the first half of this year, and we plan to propose the introduction of a turnkey method to Seoul City for rapid construction commencement."

Regarding the undergrounding of the Gyeongwon Line, he said, "On January 9, the Special Act on Railway Undergrounding passed the National Assembly. Accordingly, we will strengthen cooperation with related agencies to expedite the remaining stages, including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's comprehensive plan and Seoul City's line-specific basic plan."

He also shared his vision for the "Future Dobong," with a focus on youth policies. Mayor Oh said, "I believe our future lies with the youth. Since the beginning of my term, we have been making various efforts to expand youth employment, youth housing, and youth culture." He added, "In December last year, we opened the largest Youth Employment Academy among Seoul's autonomous districts, providing digital practical training and employment/startup linkage support to 2030 youth job seekers." Furthermore, "By April, the 'Dobong-gu Youth Startup Center' will be completed to offer startup spaces, education, and mentoring services to local youth, and in May, the 'Dobong-gu Youth Employment Support Center,' equipped with video interview rooms, suit rental services, and study spaces, will open to support youth employment."

He emphasized policies to revitalize the local economy by utilizing cultural tourism resources. Mayor Oh Eon-seok said, "Since last year, we have been conducting the 'Dobongsan Tourism Industry Mid-to-Long-Term Development Plan Study,' which includes cable cars and designation of a tourism special zone. Based on the study results, we plan to develop cultural facilities in the Changdong area such as the Seoul Arena performance hall, Seoul Robot AI Science Museum, and Seoul Photography Museum, linked with Dobong-gu's historical and cultural infrastructure like Yeonsangun Tomb, Princess Jeongui's Tomb, and the Peace Cultural Base, to transform Dobong-gu into a cultural and economic hub city."