[Interview] Dongdaemun-gu Mayor Ilhyung Lee: "Strengthening Dongdaemun-gu's Urban Competitiveness through '4N CITY'"

‘4N CITY’ Composed of Four Visions:
NICE (A Better City)
NOW (A Sustainable Present)
NEW (Change and Innovation)
NEXT (A Global Future City)

"Beyond a Livable City, Leaping into a Future City"

Dongdaemun-gu is developing into a vibrant city through continuous innovation and communication under the goal of "Dongdaemun-gu Opening Happiness." At the center of this transformation is Dongdaemun-gu Mayor Ilhyung Lee, who proposed the ‘4N CITY’ strategy. In an interview on the 28th of last month, Mayor Lee emphasized that ‘4N CITY’ will be a core policy to strengthen Dongdaemun-gu’s urban competitiveness.

What is ‘4N CITY’?

‘4N CITY’ consists of four visions: NICE (a better city), NOW (a sustainable present), NEW (change and innovation), and NEXT (a global future city). Mayor Lee stated, “Over the past two years, Dongdaemun-gu has developed through projects such as the city of flowers and walkable city initiatives to become a better city (NICE). We will achieve sustainable development (NOW) by creating a carbon-neutral city and a smart city.”

In particular, this year, ‘NEW CITY’ has been selected as the key project. He explained, “Through four projects ? an education city ideal for raising children, a culturally rich city, a companion city that supports the vulnerable, and a future city at the center of the northeastern region ? we will transform Dongdaemun-gu.”

Development Strategy by District - Five Regional Specialized Projects

Mayor Ilhyung Lee announced plans to divide Dongdaemun-gu into five districts to achieve balanced development that highlights each area’s unique characteristics.

▲ Traditional Market Innovation District (Jegi-Cheongnyangni): Integrated development of Cheongnyangni traditional markets and creation of a global tourist market ▲ Digital Education District (Jeonnong-Dapsimni): Education support and youth career and college admission assistance ▲ Waterfront Cultural Space District (Jangan): Establishment of a water sports experience center on the Jungnangcheon Stream ▲ Youth Startup Innovation District (Imun-Hwigyeong-Hoegi): Strengthening support for startups and entrepreneurship ▲ Fashion Sewing Industry District (Yongdu-Sinseol): Support for Dongdaemun fashion industry and sewing technology development

These plans focus on developing each area by leveraging its unique features.

NEW CITY - Key Projects for 2025

The mayor plans to promote four core projects targeting the year 2025.

1) Educational Innovation - Opening of Dongdaemun-gu Education Support Center

In May this year, the Dongdaemun-gu Education Support Center will open in Sinseoldong. Students can receive customized career and college admission counseling using classrooms and discussion rooms. He said, “We plan to hold free entrance exam briefings in cooperation with Kyung Hee University and will establish networks with various schools to utilize the center as an educational hub.”

2) Cultural City - Establishment of Jungnangcheon Water Sports Experience Center

In connection with Seoul’s ‘Great Hangang Project,’ a water sports experience center will be opened on the Jungnangcheon Stream. Residents will be able to try kayaking, paddle boating, and water biking, with pilot operations scheduled to begin in May.

3) Companion City - Lunch Support Project for Senior Centers

Since February, a new policy has been implemented to provide balanced side dishes five days a week to senior centers within Dongdaemun-gu. The mayor stated, “The goal is to support healthy eating habits for the elderly and to promote social interaction through communal meals.”

4) Northeastern Future City - Full-scale Development of Cheongnyangni

Cheongnyangni has been selected as a candidate site for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s spatial innovation leading project, accelerating development. In particular, the decision on the undergrounding of the Gyeongwon Line is expected to be announced in the first half of this year, which will serve as a basis for the comprehensive development of the upper space of Cheongnyangni. Additionally, the ‘Global TOP5 Cheongnyang Market Mall’ project is underway to integrate nine traditional markets around Cheongnyangni Station.

The mayor explained, “Cheongnyang Market Mall is a strategy to develop traditional markets into modern tourist attractions. We will introduce differentiated elements such as the ‘9bow Market,’ which highlights the characteristics of each market, the ‘Cheongnyang Rooftop Path’ connecting rooftop spaces, and the ‘Gyeongdong Market Road’ utilizing media art.”

Future Vision for Dongdaemun-gu

Mayor Ilhyung Lee emphasized, “While we have focused on establishing hardware foundations such as creating a carbon-neutral city and developing a smart city over the past two years, now we will achieve innovation in education and culture.” He expressed strong determination, saying, “We will do our best to ensure that Dongdaemun-gu leaps beyond being just a livable city to become a global standard future city.” Attention is focused on how the ‘4N CITY’ strategy will transform Dongdaemun-gu’s urban competitiveness.