Seoul District Mayors Association "Recommendation for Correction of City Urban Planning Deliberations Not Reflecting Residents' Opinions"

Seoul District Mayors Association Holds 192nd Regular Meeting to Discuss Realistic Budgeting for Admission Preparation Funds to Reduce Parents' Education Expenses

Remarks by Chairman Ilhyung Lee

The Seoul Special City District Mayors' Council (Chairman Ip-hyung Lee, Mayor of Dongdaemun District) held the 192nd regular meeting, the second meeting of the third year of the 8th elected term, on the 11th at the Planning Situation Room on the 6th floor of Seoul City Hall.

The meeting, held as a joint meeting between Seoul City and district mayors, was attended by Chairman Ip-hyung Lee and mayors of 25 districts (including deputy mayors attending on behalf), along with six heads of related departments and bureaus including Kim Sang-han, the First Deputy Mayor of Administration of Seoul City.

The agenda items for the regular meeting included ▲Adjustment plan for the 4th year contributions of the Seoul City District Mayors' Council for the 8th elected term (Secretariat) ▲Strengthening cooperation between the City and districts for the original purpose of the Urban and Residential Environment Improvement Act (Seodaemun District) ▲Request for revision of the support standards for wages of childcare teachers at national and public daycare centers (Seodaemun District) ▲Proposal related to the promotion of the Seoul Health Longevity Center project (Yangcheon District) ▲Request for revision of the cost calculation method for delegated contracts of collection and transportation of household waste (Gangbuk District) ▲Promotion of long-term unexecuted urban planning facilities (roads) projects (Eunpyeong District) ▲Amendment of building ordinances for management of building line setbacks (Gangnam District) ▲Enhancement of the realism of entrance preparation funds for new middle and high school students (Gwanak District) ▲Proposal for amendment of related laws to ensure smooth supply of public postpartum care centers (Yongsan District) ▲Proposal for introduction of mobile electronic notification service for automobile-related fines (Dobong District) ▲Request for cooperation in national river occupancy permits to expand park golf courses (Yeongdeungpo District) ▲Request for payment of collection and distribution fees for city-owned land (special account for housing projects) (Eunpyeong District), totaling 12 agenda items, were reviewed and resolved.

In particular, at this meeting, it was decided to urge Seoul City to improve the system so that important matters can reflect the opinions of residents collected by the districts, as there have been many cases where urban plans proposed by autonomous districts under the Urban and Residential Environment Improvement Act did not reflect residents' opinions during the review by the Seoul City Urban Planning Committee, differing from the districts' plans.

Additionally, in-depth discussions among district mayors were held on topics such as the request for revision of the support standards for wages of childcare teachers at national and public daycare centers (Seodaemun District), proposals related to the promotion of the Seoul Health Longevity Center project (Yangcheon District), enhancement of the realism of entrance preparation funds for new middle and high school students (Gwanak District), and proposals for amendment of related laws to ensure smooth supply of public postpartum care centers (Yongsan District), all aimed at addressing low birthrate issues and improving various welfare policies.

Along with this, it was agreed that Seoul City and the districts will cooperate and do their best in emergency medical measures to prevent inconvenience to residents during the Chuseok holiday caused by medical service gaps due to conflicts between medical and political sectors.

Chairman Ip-hyung Lee stated, “I fully empathize with the opinions of the district mayors who submitted agenda items, and I will do my best to ensure that the agenda items resolved, departing from past council practices, can be practically implemented.”

The 193rd regular meeting is scheduled to be held at Seoul City Hall on November 20.