[Interview] Kim Gil-seong, Jung-gu Mayor: "Namsan Height Restriction Relaxation Will Be the Starting Point of Major Urban Transformation"

30-Year Wish Fulfilled: Namsan Height Restriction Eased... Sindang 10 District Housing Redevelopment Association Established... Myeongdong Selected as 2nd Outdoor Advertising Free Display Zone, Urban Brand Newly Designed

"The relaxation of Namsan height restrictions marks the starting point for reshaping the image of Jung-gu. The chain of changes beginning with the easing of height limits will completely transform the future urban landscape."

Kim Gil-seong, Mayor of Jung-gu, Seoul, recently stated in an interview, "The relaxation of Namsan height restrictions, which have constrained the city center for over 30 years, is now imminent. This is the fruit of efforts made together with residents." He added, "Much of the content submitted by Jung-gu to Seoul City last July, after gathering residents' opinions, has been reflected. We are preparing so that residents can feel the changes after the official decision and announcement," expressing confidence.

On the 15th of last month, Jung-gu compiled opinions on the 'Urban Management Plan (Use District: Height District) Decision (Change) (Draft)' and delivered them to Seoul City. In particular, they requested that the Dasan-dong area, excluded from the additional easing targets in station areas, be included in the easing targets due to redevelopment projects. Mayor Kim emphasized, "The old and inconvenient residential environment and urban infrastructure will be improved together," and added, "We will continue to negotiate with Seoul City until the end to ensure that all areas of Jung-gu, which have suffered damage, equally benefit from the regulatory easing."

Jung-gu is also swiftly advancing follow-up preparations to ensure that the height restriction relaxation leads to tangible changes. Mayor Kim explained, "It is important to inform residents of practical ways to 'how they can change their homes' within the eased regulations," and added, "We are supporting a 'Preliminary Home Design Expert Review Service,' where architects directly present architectural design proposals to residents wishing to build new structures within the height district." Jung-gu has proposed to Seoul City to comprehensively reorganize the height plans within the district unit plans in the height district for rapid redevelopment after the easing.

Since the start of the 8th elected term, regional development that had long been stagnant is gaining momentum. Mayor Kim stated, "Since Jung-gu is located in the city center, there is not much space available. By improving the aging residential environment through redevelopment and reconstruction and increasing 'homes where people want to live,' the population and infrastructure issues, which are challenges for Jung-gu, will naturally be resolved." He explained why he pays particular attention to regional development.

The most notable development site is Sindang 10 District. Last year, Sindang 10 District became the first housing redevelopment association established through public support among the rapid integrated planning redevelopment zones. It achieved an astonishing record by reaching the required 75% consent rate for association establishment in just 36 days. Mayor Kim described this as "an amazing achievement made possible by Jung-gu's creative public support and active resident participation." Following the successful Sindang 10 District case as a model, the housing redevelopment project in Jungnim-dong 398 area is also accelerating the direct establishment of the association. The low-rise residential area near Yaksu Station is actively preparing to be designated as a planned district for the Urban Public Housing Complex Project.

Alongside development, Mayor Kim is redesigning the urban brand of Jung-gu, "the center of Seoul." Myeongdong, selected last year as the 2nd phase outdoor advertising free display zone, is at the heart of this effort. Mayor Kim expressed confidence, saying, "I will make Myeongdong, the center of Seoul, South Korea, a world-class tourist destination like New York's Times Square."

The Myeongdong outdoor advertising free display zone plans to use 25% of all advertisements for public interest and regional coexistence content, in addition to commercial ads, to strengthen its role as a public good. It will also establish an integrated media content management system to enable simultaneous broadcasting. Mayor Kim stated, "Myeongdong is a place where South Korea's commercial, cultural, tourism, and financial infrastructure are concentrated, as well as a representative tourist destination of South Korea," and added, "We will add the charm of digital signage shining with symbolism to Myeongdong and make Jung-gu a world-class city."

Managing conflicts among residents is also a concern for Mayor Kim. He said, "Developing the region is important, but it is the role of a basic local government to ensure that residents can live comfortably within it," and added, "To do so, there must be no disputes between neighbors or villages, which is why we started conflict management with that mindset."

Jung-gu is the first autonomous district in Seoul to establish and operate a conflict management team. In particular, the Conflict Communication Room, where experts visit residents to mediate disputes between neighbors with just one phone call, has received great responses from residents. Since last year, 61 conflict cases have been received, with 27 cases mediated and resolved.

Starting this year, Jung-gu is taking a step further by creating a system where residents autonomously resolve conflicts in each neighborhood. Mayor Kim expressed confidence, saying, "Our goal is to establish a well-functioning conflict management system and make Jung-gu a good neighborhood with friendly neighbors," and added, "We are making progress step by step."

Jung-gu also provides comprehensive welfare policies for its residents. Strong support from childbirth and parenting to education is a trademark of Jung-gu. Since last year, the childbirth and parenting support fund has been expanded to 1 million KRW for the first child, 2 million KRW for the second, 3 million KRW for the third, 5 million KRW for the fourth, and 10 million KRW for the fifth child, with postpartum care costs supported up to 1.5 million KRW.

Additionally, necessary expenses and eco-friendly meals are supported for children in daycare centers, and youth are supported to grow and nurture their dreams through various experiences such as career experience programs, financial economy classes with professionals, and overseas cultural experiences.

Welfare for the elderly is also carefully managed. One in five residents of Jung-gu is elderly, reflecting a high proportion of senior citizens. To ensure comfortable mobility for seniors, transportation costs of up to 30,000 KRW per month are supported for all residents aged 65 and older.

Mayor Kim Gil-seong, entering the second year of the 8th elected term, is carrying out district administration under the name "Always a Reliable Ally, Jung-gu." This message reflects his commitment to providing delicate support by getting closer to residents along with the major changes reshaping the city’s appearance. Mayor Kim stated, "We will continue to communicate with residents without change and become a reliable Jung-gu that is 'by your side and helpful in your life.'"