Jin Gyo-hoon, Gangseo District Mayor, "Focusing on Balanced Development Including Low-Rise Residential Area Development"

Held New Year Meeting and Presented Five Key Visions for 'Smile City'

Jin Gyo-hoon, Mayor of Gangseo District, Seoul, announced this year’s key policies to realize a livable Gangseo at the ‘2025 New Year Meeting’ held at COEX Magok on the 20th.

Jin Gyo-hoon, Mayor of Gangseo-gu, Seoul, is explaining the direction of district administration and key projects for this year at the '2025 New Year's Meeting' held at COEX Magok. Provided by Gangseo-gu.

Since taking office, Mayor Jin has been focusing primarily on balanced development. He aims to improve the quality of life for residents through the development of low-rise residential areas such as Hwagok-dong and Gonghang-dong. Mayor Jin stated, “We will actively cooperate with the government and Seoul City to ensure that the height restriction relaxation standards tailored to the characteristics of Gimpo Airport, prepared last year, are reflected,” adding, “We will concentrate all administrative efforts to ensure that the relaxation of height restrictions at Gimpo Airport proceeds smoothly in line with the revision schedule of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).”

Mayor Jin also added, “We will strengthen customized support for 46 redevelopment and reconstruction projects underway in the area, including Moa Town, Human Town, and the Urban Public Housing Complex Project, and newly operate village management offices to improve the residential environment in low-rise residential areas.”

He further promised to expand mental health service projects, create a dementia-safe city, and increase the number of security closed-circuit (CC) TVs. He emphasized that prevention and response measures for natural disasters and various accidents will be meticulously established and managed without gaps. Gangseo District plans to continuously promote the Gimpo Airport Urban Regeneration Innovation Zone and the Magok MICE Complex Revitalization Project this year, and to commence construction in the first half of the year on the development project of the CJ site in Gayang-dong and the landmark creation project linked with Seoul Botanical Garden.

The economic policy direction of Gangseo District for this year, revealed by Mayor Jin at the New Year Meeting, is ‘stabilizing people’s livelihoods.’ The district will expand the issuance scale of Gangseo Love Gift Certificates to 45 billion won and increase the discount rate from the existing 5% to 7%. The loan support scale for the Small and Medium Business Development Fund will also be increased to 8 billion won, focusing all efforts on the recovery of the people’s economy.

Efforts will also be made to improve welfare and establish a care system for marginalized groups such as the elderly and disabled. The number of jobs for seniors has been increased by 52% compared to 2023, reaching 5,433 positions, and lunch support at senior community centers will be expanded to five days a week. Additionally, facilities such as the Magok Senior Welfare Center and Eoullim Plaza, a complex cultural space used by both disabled and non-disabled people, will be established. To address care gaps, care infrastructure such as Our Neighborhood Care Centers will be gradually expanded.

Mayor Jin announced plans to promote artificial intelligence (AI) education linked with companies in the Magok district for local elementary, middle, and high school students, to open the Gayang branch of Gangseo Library, and to build an Eco School using the closed Gongjin Middle School site and a Youth Culture House in Yeomchang-dong. A 5.9 km premium forest trail will also be created along the Han River from the point connecting the Han River and Anyangcheon to Gaehwasan.

Mayor Jin chose the four-character idiom Yuji Gyeongseong (有志竟成), meaning “Where there is a will, there is a way,” as this year’s motto, expressing his determination to grow dynamically together with the residents through these changes. About 800 people from various sectors, including residents, professional and social organizations, and heads of related institutions, attended the New Year Meeting.

Mayor Jin said, “In times of turmoil, it is more important than anything else to ensure the safety and stable daily life of residents,” adding, “I will listen more closely to the voices of residents and devote all my efforts to making Gangseo a better place to live.”