[Interview] Kim Mikyung, Eunpyeong District Mayor, "Becoming the Leading City in Northwest Economic and Cultural Development"

GTX-A Opening, Visible Achievements Including Groundbreaking of National Korean Literature Museum
Positive Signs for Yeonsinnae Station and Susaek Station Area Development with New GTX-E Line
Expansion of Experience-Oriented Policies Such as Senior Hospital Companion Service and Pet Playground

"In the year of the Blue Dragon, Gapjin year 2024, we will strive to carry out district administration that protects the lives of residents and successfully complete the green blueprint of the 7th elected term, one step at a time."

Kim Mi-kyung, the only female re-elected district mayor of Eunpyeong-gu in the 8th elected term, expressed this determination in an interview on the 6th.

First, she mentioned that the opening of the GTX-A line, one of Eunpyeong-gu's key projects, this year will be a major turning point for regional development. Mayor Kim said, "Once the line opens, travel time from Yeonsinnae to Seoul Station will be 4 minutes, and to Samseong Station 9 minutes, drastically improving transportation conditions. To accommodate the increased foot traffic from the GTX-A opening, we plan to redesign the underground space of Yeonsinnae Station into a pedestrian-centered structure and create a cultural park above ground to be used for various performances and relaxation."

Additionally, on the 25th of last month, the government announced the new 2nd phase GTX-E line, which newly includes Yeonsinnae Station and DMC Station. With the GTX-E line directly connecting Incheon Airport and Eunpyeong-gu, it is expected to serve as a gateway for overseas tourists and business visitors coming to Korea.

In particular, Yeonsinnae Station will become a 'quadruple station area' with the existing Subway Lines 3 and 6, the GTX-A line opening this year, and the addition of GTX-E. Along with Bulgwang station area and Innovation Park development, it is expected to transform into a large-scale economic complex. The district plans to revise the Yeonsinnae district unit plan and promote complex development linked to the station area to foster it as an economic and cultural hub representing the northwest area of Seoul.

Also, the GTX-E Digital Media City Station (DMC Station) is expected to play a central role in the development of the Susaek station area along with Line 6. The district plans to create a 'second Times Square' on the Susaek station area site, including convention facilities, hotels, complex shopping malls, and performance halls, turning the Susaek station area into a commercial, cultural, tourism, and transportation platform.

Alongside these large-scale projects, cultural content was further strengthened by hosting the Seoul International Children's Film Festival last year. Efforts have also continued to enhance cultural infrastructure, with the National Korean Literature Museum, which broke ground in February this year, being a representative example.

Near the former reporters' village site where the National Korean Literature Museum will be located, there are Hanok villages, Jingwansa Temple, the Historical Hanok Museum, Sabina Art Museum, Geumam Art Museum, and the Korea Classic Translation Institute. With plans to establish an art village, the Securities Museum, and the Korean Christian History Museum in the future, it is attracting more attention as a new cultural and historical tourism course.

In addition to large-scale projects, various life-centered projects that protect residents' daily lives are being promoted. The iMom Taxi, which pregnant women and caregivers of infants can use comfortably and free of charge, is a representative project. Seoul City has benchmarked this as the 'Seoul Mom and Dad Taxi' and expanded it to 25 autonomous districts. This year, policies that residents can feel directly, such as support for youth certification exam fees, establishment of a youth employment academy, and pet playgrounds, will be further expanded.

Mayor Kim Mi-kyung also emphasized policies to protect residents' bodies, minds, and living environments. The senior hospital accompaniment service supports convenience from hospital accompaniment to medical treatment for the healthy lives of seniors. Furthermore, the installation of smart crosswalks and the application of crime prevention environmental design will expand safe living environments.

Mayor Kim Mi-kyung said, "Although there were difficulties in budget allocation this year, including reductions in national and city subsidies, we boldly allocated budgets for welfare, safety, and investments for future growth," expressing confidence that Eunpyeong, undergoing unprecedented changes in transportation, economy, and culture, will grow into the center of northwest Seoul within the next 10 years.