Gwangjin District's New Era Begins with Move to State-of-the-Art 18-Story Office Building Near Guui Station Exit 3
Mayor Kim Kyungho, Deputy Mayor Yoon Jaesam, and Staff Celebrate the Start of Operations and Renew Their Commitment to Gwangjin's Future
Kim Kyungho, head of Gwangjin District Office, is smiling brightly as he starts his first day at the new office building on the 21st.
Gwangjin District has established a new district office building for the first time in 30 years since its founding.
The district has set up an impressive 18-story office building on the former site of the Seoul Eastern District Court, connected to Exit 3 of Guui Station. Move-in began on the 18th, and official operations started on the 21st.
On the 21st, Gwangjin District issued a press release celebrating the commencement of operations at the new integrated district office (400 Achasan-ro), marking a new beginning for the district.
This moment signifies the end of the era at the old Republican Party Training Center site, which had been used for over 70 years, and serves as a meaningful declaration of the start of a new era with a state-of-the-art office building.
On this day, at around 8:40 a.m., Gwangjin District Mayor Kim Kyungho arrived at the integrated district office and began his official duties, starting with a tea meeting with department heads.
The integrated office building stands 18 stories tall, with a total floor area of 37,685 square meters. It features various resident convenience facilities such as a book cafe, kids zone, exhibition spaces, and a park. The second floor houses an integrated civil service office that brings together frequently used services such as passports, transportation, taxation, real estate, and housing-related matters.
Directly behind the new office are a hotel, officetel, and the headquarters of Coupang. Right next to the office is Lotte Castle East Pole (an apartment complex).
Mayor Kim Kyungho expressed his feelings, saying, "It is deeply moving to enter the new office building as the first mayor. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Gwangjin District and the 'first year of Gwangjin's reinvention,' so it is important to make a good start in shaping Gwangjin's future."
He also stated, "At the integrated office, I will continue to communicate constantly with residents to achieve urban development. I ask all residents to show great interest in and actively participate in district administration."
With the move into the new office building, employees' expressions have noticeably brightened.
Kim Hyeonja, head of the public relations team, said, "Moving into the new office brings a different sense of emotion. While there is some regret in leaving the familiar old building where we spent so much time together, I believe the opportunity to start anew in this building will become a new turning point in my public service career."
Lee Seongjin, head of the community administration team, commented, "Although I feel a bit sad to leave the office I had grown attached to over the years, I am happy to work in a much more pleasant environment. I think I will be able to focus on my work more efficiently now. I will do my best to provide even better administrative services for the residents of Gwangjin."
Lee Seungsan, head of the personnel team, reported, "Employee satisfaction with the in-house cafeteria, which is operated directly by the district, is high, and the overall working conditions have definitely improved."
In this way, Gwangjin District now enjoys the pride of having a state-of-the-art office building compared to the other 24 autonomous districts in Seoul.
As a result, employee morale is higher than ever. I was able to observe the expressions of the staff during my visits to the district office on the afternoon of the 21st, when operations began, and again on the afternoon of the 23rd.
It felt much like the joy of moving into a newly acquired apartment after a long wait.
Now, Gwangjin District, as a leading city in the eastern part of Seoul, is in a position where it must reclaim its former status and excel in all aspects, including regional development and administrative services.
In the past, before being separated from Seongdong District, Gwangjin was a much more developed area. However, it is undeniable that over the decades, Gwangjin has lagged behind Seongdong District in terms of development.
Mayor Kim Kyungho, Deputy Mayor Yoon Jaesam, and all staff members are expected to present a new blueprint for Gwangjin's leap forward and to redouble their efforts with renewed determination.
We hope that the joy of moving into the new office building will serve as a catalyst for a new leap in the development of Gwangjin District.
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