Establishment of Safety City Bureau and Care Welfare Bureau
Effective January 1 Next Year After Rule Amendments
Seoul Eunpyeong-gu (District Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) announced on the 5th that it will carry out a major organizational restructuring in the second half of the 8th elected term to respond to future administrative demands and strengthen the momentum for key district projects.
Eunpyeong-gu explained, "This organizational restructuring plan was prepared to concretely realize the district administration philosophy based on the achievements of the district government as Mayor Kim Mi-kyung enters her 7th year in office," adding, "We have intensively reinforced the organization to be future-oriented and performance-driven to enhance the execution power of core projects that residents can feel."
The key features of the restructuring plan include ▲ innovation of disaster response systems for residents' safety ▲ reorganization of the Care and Welfare Bureau to establish a welfare system encompassing all generations ▲ enhancement of financial management capabilities through expanded planning, budgeting, and evaluation tasks ▲ and laying the foundation for future urban competitiveness.
First, Eunpyeong-gu will reorganize the existing Urban Safety and Construction Bureau into the Safety City Bureau and the Spatial Innovation Bureau. Through the Safety City Bureau, collaboration among related departments will be strengthened to protect residents' safety from various disasters such as fires, heatwaves, earthquakes, and cold waves. Additionally, the Integrated Control Center and Disaster Safety Situation Room will be unified to establish a swift and systematic disaster response system.
Moreover, the newly established Spatial Innovation Bureau will effectively promote large-scale projects within the district, such as the Susaek-DMC Station complex development and the creation of the Seoul Innovation Park landmark. Mayor Kim, who focused on the rapid promotion of maintenance projects in the first half of her term, plans to accelerate urban regeneration through large-scale development projects in the second half.
Second, as a welfare city that allocates 65.1% of its expenditure budget to welfare, Eunpyeong-gu plans to complete the Eunpyeong-type welfare system, a key pledge of the 8th elected term. To this end, the Care and Welfare Bureau will be reorganized to provide seamless, customized welfare across the life cycle, from infants to youth, middle-aged, and seniors.
Under the Care and Welfare Bureau, an Integrated Care Division will be established to build a comprehensive integrated care system, and a Youth and Middle-aged Hope Division will be newly created to provide targeted support for youth and middle-aged people in policy blind spots. Once the restructuring plan is approved, Eunpyeong-gu will become the only autonomous district in Seoul with dedicated departments for integrated care and middle-aged groups. Additionally, a Loneliness Response Team will be established within the Integrated Care Division, and the neighborhood (dong) system will be reorganized to strengthen the welfare delivery system.
Third, to ensure efficient budget management, the existing Finance and Economy Bureau will be renamed the Planning and Finance Bureau, with its organizational priority elevated to organically link planning, budgeting, and evaluation tasks. Furthermore, the Planning and Budget Division will be transferred under the Planning and Finance Bureau to facilitate pre-inspection and performance management of key projects in the 8th term, as well as the efficient progress of large-scale construction and investment projects.
Lastly, Eunpyeong-gu will establish a Forest Recreation Team under the Parks and Greenery Division to expand nature-friendly green infrastructure and a Cultural Facilities Team under the Culture and Tourism Division to respond to the recently increased demand for culture and sports. In addition, new teams such as the Climate Environment and Carbon Neutrality Practice Team and the AI Big Data Team under the Smart Information Division will be created.
Mayor Kim Mi-kyung stated, "This organizational restructuring plan reflects the opinions of residents and staff whom I have diligently met in the field over time," adding, "As we reach the midpoint of the 8th elected term, we will continue administrative innovation unique to Eunpyeong that genuinely benefits residents' lives."
Meanwhile, on the 5th, Eunpyeong-gu announced the legislative notice of the 'Seoul Metropolitan City Eunpyeong-gu Administrative Organization Establishment Ordinance Amendment' and the 'Seoul Metropolitan City Eunpyeong-gu Local Public Officials Quota Ordinance Partial Amendment.' This restructuring plan will be finalized through the review and resolution of the district council, and after subsequent rule revisions, it will be implemented from January 1 of next year.
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