Seoul District Mayors’ Association Holds 196th Regular Meeting
First Attendance by Jang Inhong, Mayor of Guro District, Expresses Vision for Seoul’s Development
Lee Pilhyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun District, Concludes Third Year of Regular Meetings
The Seoul District Mayors’ Association (Chairperson: Lee Pilhyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun District) announced on May 15 that it held its 196th regular meeting at Seoul City Hall on May 14.
The meeting was attended by mayors from 24 districts (including deputy mayors attending on behalf of mayors), including Chairperson Lee Pilhyung. Jang Inhong, the newly inaugurated mayor of Guro District following the April by-election, attended for the first time and expressed his aspirations for mutual development and cooperation between the autonomous districts and the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
The agenda for the regular meeting included nine items: △ Proposal to strengthen youth protection measures against new types of electronic cigarettes (Seongdong District) △ Request for temporary relaxation of floor area ratio regulations for street housing maintenance projects (Jungnang District) △ Request for improvement of standards for LH private new construction purchase-agreement rental housing (Jungnang District) △ Proposal to adjust financial compensation (for reduced automobile registration license tax) to realistic levels (Jungnang District) △ Request to maintain the 9:1 city-district matching ratio for the New:Village urban regeneration project (Gangbuk District) △ Expansion of public elderly care facilities donated within apartment complexes and establishment of a system prioritizing residents for admission (Eunpyeong District) △ Proposal to introduce mobile electronic notification for fines related to violations in disabled-only parking zones (Seodaemun District) △ Request to improve unreasonable criteria for calculating road occupancy fees for vehicle entry and exit (Mapo District) △ Proposal to extend the tax rate application period for land attached to demolished buildings (Gangnam District). All nine items were reviewed and resolved.
In particular, with the amendment to the Tobacco Business Act pending in the National Assembly, the association agreed to urge the amendment of the Tobacco Business Act and to strengthen youth protection measures to address the exposure of youth to harmful environments caused by new types of electronic cigarettes such as synthetic nicotine. The association also agreed to improve the criteria for calculating road occupancy fees to ease the additional financial burden on citizens resulting from pedestrian environment improvement projects.
In addition, Jeong Geunsik, Superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, attended the meeting and requested cooperation for the stable operation of regional education welfare centers established in each autonomous district. These education welfare centers, one per district, provide case management and customized integrated education welfare support for students vulnerable due to economic or cultural difficulties. The Office of Education plans to continue its cooperation to ensure stable operation of these centers.
Lee Pilhyung, who will complete his term as chairperson of the association in June, stated, "I am grateful for the cooperation of my fellow mayors and will continue to do my best for the happiness of our residents."
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