Seodaemun District in Seoul announced on the 5th that an unprecedented situation occurred at the '307th 1st Regular Session of the Seodaemun District Council,' which was held for the first time in half a year, as the district mayor's speech was excluded. After being at a standstill since the end of last year, the Seodaemun District Council officially resumed its meetings on this day, but the district office expressed deep regret as the customary mayoral address was omitted from the opening ceremony.
The Seodaemun District Office stated, "During this session, the order for the mayor's speech was unilaterally excluded without any prior consultation or coordination with the district office," and added, "We had hoped this would mark the starting point for the normalization of the district council, but we cannot hide our disappointment."
Mayor Lee Seongheon was scheduled to use the council's opening address to emphasize 'harmony with the district council to resolve pressing livelihood issues and future growth challenges.' However, as the speech was canceled without prior notice, he was unable to share the district's major achievements and future plans.
The mayor's speech has been an important tradition at both regular and extraordinary sessions, serving as an opportunity to explain the district's major achievements and plans and to request cooperation from the council.
Meanwhile, the district office separately announced the main achievements and future policy directions in the five key policy areas?urban development, environment and transportation, life care, education and culture, and economic cooperation?that the mayor had intended to share through his prepared speech.
In particular, the district cited as a recent major achievement the approval of the maintenance plan for the Inwang Market and Yujin Shopping Center area?which had seen development delayed for 30 years?by the Seoul Urban Planning Committee, with designation as a maintenance zone now imminent. The district, having assumed the role of direct project operator and strengthened communication with residents, evaluated that it had shortened the maintenance plan establishment period by 3 years and 7 months and presented a new direction for the redevelopment project.
The Hongjecheon Cafe Waterfall has established itself as a world-class attraction, surpassing 2.2 million cumulative visitors since its opening in April 2023. Using operating profits, the district selected 209 scholarship recipients and provided a total of 401 million won in scholarships, with an additional 200 million won planned for support in the second half of this year. The district is also working to establish a complex cultural healing space and a Seoul-style kids cafe at the Cafe Waterfall.
In connection with the undergrounding of the Gyeongui Line and the multi-complex development of Seongsan-ro, the district has also completed a blueprint to transform Sinchon into a Silicon Valley within Seoul. In partnership with Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University, and Severance Hospital, the district plans to create an academic-industry research complex, a youth startup hub, and a bio-industrial complex, aiming to become an international startup city that attracts capital and young talent.
The district is also accelerating the construction of transportation networks, including the prompt commencement of the Western Light Rail Transit, the resumption of the Gangbuk Transversal Line project, and the operation of public facility shuttle buses and autonomous village buses. In addition, practical welfare policies have been expanded, such as a 90% reduction in public postpartum care center fees for residents, the introduction of childbirth congratulatory grants and paternity leave incentives, and the establishment of the 'Happy Table' free meal facility for seniors. Through the joint Happy Campus project with nine local universities, 25 specialized courses are being offered free of charge to all residents.
Mayor Lee Seongheon emphasized, "In the national evaluation of basic local government heads' pledge fulfillment, we achieved a 74% completion rate, surpassing the Seoul district average of 66%, and were selected as the top grade for three consecutive years," adding, "I will do my utmost to fulfill all promises made to our residents."
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