Interview with Dongdaemun-gu Mayor Ilhyeong Lee
Seoul's Largest 'Dongdaemun Public Library'
Creating a Flower Garden on the Rooftop of This City of Flowers Too
Dongdaemun-gu Mayor Lee Pil-hyung said, "Dongdaemun-gu will undergo a revolutionary level of change centered around the Cheongnyangni Station area." (Photo by Dongdaemun-gu Office)
The rooftop and surrounding areas of ‘Dongdaemun Municipal Library,’ the largest municipal library in Seoul being built in Jeonnong-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, will be covered with greenery and flower gardens. This building, which will break ground next year with an investment of 300 billion KRW on a site equivalent to two soccer fields (16,899㎡), will become a representative library of Seoul and one of the most beloved facilities among Dongdaemun-gu residents.
On the 15th, I met with Lee Pil-hyung, the mayor of Dongdaemun-gu (65), in his office. He said, “If such an enormous library and cultural facility exist in Dongdaemun-gu, the biggest beneficiaries will be the residents,” adding, “We are submitting our opinions to Seoul City to ensure it is built as an eco-friendly zero-energy building.” The mayor also stated, “Public buildings planned for construction, such as the new community center, will be built as zero-energy buildings, and private buildings constructed in Dongdaemun-gu will receive incentives during permits if they follow the same standard.”
The land where the library will be built has already been developed into a flower garden (flower bed), becoming a local attraction. It was a vacant lot left unattended for a long time, causing many complaints due to crime concerns. I asked Mayor Lee about his thoughts on Dongdaemun-gu’s transformative projects, including achieving a carbon-neutral city to address climate change and creating the Cheongnyang Market Mall. Below is a Q&A with the mayor.
-There was no library or cultural facility that could represent Dongdaemun-gu.
▲Seoul City designated the land in Jeonnong-dong as the site for the library, but since the district owned land there, we exchanged the district-owned community center land with the city-owned land. From the residents’ perspective, it doesn’t matter whether it belongs to the city or the district, nor does the building’s name matter. The important thing is to complete it quickly so residents can enjoy good cultural and educational facilities, which benefits everyone.
I proposed setting up an experience space for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including artificial intelligence (AI), and Seoul City has reflected many of our opinions. We aim to create a ‘lively library’ where people can come, play, and enjoy themselves.
The site of 'Dongdaemun Municipal Library,' which has become a famous spot decorated with flower beds. The library, built on an area equivalent to two soccer fields, will be completed in 2029. (Photo by Dongdaemun-gu Office)
-You emphasize creating a city model that practices carbon neutrality in response to climate change.
▲Right after taking office as mayor, I enacted the ‘Dongdaemun-gu Basic Ordinance on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth in Response to the Climate Crisis.’ Last year, we declared our intention to become a carbon-neutral city and established a Carbon Neutrality Support Center. Starting last year, we began a project to recycle coffee grounds collected free of charge by distributing special coffee grounds collection bags to coffee shops in the district. The coffee grounds are recycled into fertilizer and recycled plastic. Since last month, we have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Environment, Korea Textile Resource Circulation Association, Jongno-gu, and Seongdong-gu to reduce the amount of waste fabric that was previously landfilled or incinerated, contributing to resource recycling and carbon neutrality.
Dongdaemun-gu was selected last month as a preliminary candidate site for a carbon-neutral city promoted by the Ministry of Environment. This year, we aim for final selection as a carbon-neutral city by conducting expert research in the environmental field. Together with the Dongdaemun-gu Carbon Neutrality Support Center and residents, we plan to develop new carbon-neutral projects unique to Dongdaemun-gu that can be applied in daily life, advancing as a leading carbon-neutral city.
-The concept of carbon neutrality is not very clear to some people.
▲Before the Lunar New Year holiday, we held resident communication meetings in all neighborhoods. One resident said they wanted to participate in the district’s carbon neutrality policy but didn’t know what or how to do as a resident. They hoped the district would prepare and inform specific action plans or provide education that residents could participate in.
Dongdaemun-gu has entrusted a university-industry cooperation foundation to develop resident practice programs and is establishing its own carbon neutrality strategies, such as creating a carbon-neutral themed street. Especially this year, we decided to support 500 million KRW in educational subsidies so that children and youth can learn about the necessity of carbon neutrality at school.
From conversations with residents in the field, I was very pleased to feel a consensus forming around the carbon-neutral city that the district is focusing on promoting. At the same time, I thought we need to make even greater efforts for a carbon-neutral city together with residents.
The area around Cheongnyangni Station has recently seen the construction of mixed-use residential and commercial buildings, including apartments and hotels up to 65 stories high, due to redevelopment. (Photo by Dongdaemun-gu Office)
-The changes around Cheongnyangni are remarkable.
▲By 2029, Cheongnyangni Station will have a total of 11 subway and railway lines operating, and the floating population will increase about threefold compared to now. This will be a tremendous opportunity for us. This area has nine large traditional markets, including Yakryeong Market, Gyeongdong Market, and Cheongnyangni General Market, with about 18,000 businesses.
In that regard, I thought we should create a place symbolizing Dongdaemun-gu with characteristics unique to Dongdaemun-gu that can attract people to the district. Creating a landmark that maximizes the charm of Dongdaemun-gu is the ‘Global Top 5 Cheongnyang Market Mall Development’ project.
We will integrate and develop the nine traditional markets around Cheongnyangni Station into an advanced tourist traditional market operated under ‘one system, one design.’ In the second half of last year, we started a feasibility study on the ‘Smart Specialized Market Management Plan for the Cheongnyangni Area,’ and the results will be released soon.
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