[New Year's Address] Oh Se-hoon: "Gangbuk Will No Longer Be Just a Bedroom Community... The Starting Point Is Sewoon District Redevelopment"

2026 New Year's Address: Focus on Balanced Development in Seoul
'Gangbuk Development and Housing Supply' Begin with Sewoon District
Major Transformation of Administrative Systems Using AI to Expand Next Year
'Companionship with the Vulnerable' Policy to Be Further Segmented, Including 'Late-Night Working Youth'

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon declared, "I will no longer allow Gangbuk to remain a mere bedroom community," adding, "The starting signal will be the redevelopment of the Sewoon District, which I will transform into a symbolic space representing Gangbuk's great transformation." He also identified the virtuous cycle of reconstruction and redevelopment as a key element of balanced development. Mayor Oh pledged to supply 310,000 housing units by 2031, in line with the principle that 'supply will not stop.'

In his New Year's address on December 31, Mayor Oh revealed his core municipal goals, stating, "The gap between southern and northern Seoul, which has accumulated over decades, is a structural challenge that cannot be solved by the slogan of balanced development alone."

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon explained the construction plan at a press briefing for the Gangbuk Transversal Underground City Expressway held at Seoul City Hall on the 18th, holding up a model of the overpass. Photo by Yonhap News

As solutions, he pointed to the development of Gangbuk and the supply of housing. The starting point is the completion of the Sewoon District's mixed-use redevelopment. Mayor Oh said, "We will create a green axis stretching from Namsan to Jongmyo, reinventing the city center as a creative space where history and the future coexist." By emphasizing his determination regarding the Sewoon District redevelopment-which has emerged as the most significant variable in next year’s Seoul mayoral election, beyond political disputes-he once again demonstrated his strong commitment.

The recent announcement of plans to move the Inner Ring Road and the Bukbu Expressway underground was also highlighted as a major municipal goal. As this development project, with an investment of 3.4 trillion won, is set to continue until 2037, the city is expected to begin formulating detailed plans for traffic demand management and financial operations starting next year. Mayor Oh predicted, "This will not only improve traffic, but also mark the beginning of a massive connection that unites the potential of all of Gangbuk."

He also pledged changes to the residential environment in Gangbuk. Referring to aging residential areas in Gangbuk, Mayor Oh said, "We will fully launch the long-delayed Baeksa Village redevelopment and proceed with phased improvements through the Rapid Integrated Planning and Moa Town initiatives." He identified the development of economic hubs in areas like Chang-dong and Sanggye as another core aspect of 'Gangbuk development.' In particular, regarding the Chang-dong Seoul Arena, which will be established as a K-pop landmark for over 28,000 people, he promised administrative and financial support, stating, "It will become a forward base for the expansion of K-culture."

He reaffirmed a firm stance on housing supply in the market. Mayor Oh said, "Various policy variables have increased uncertainty, and the burden is being directly felt by citizens," adding, "We will ensure the groundbreaking of 23,000 housing units promised this year proceeds without delay, and we will absolutely fulfill the pledge to supply a total of 310,000 units by 2031."

He also announced the full-scale launch of the 'Southwest Region Grand Renovation,' which aims to redevelop aging industrial areas in Yeongdeungpo, Guro-gu, and other southwestern districts. Seoul is currently discussing the introduction of the Industrial Innovation Zone system, a redevelopment policy to reorganize industrial areas into mixed-use spaces centered on new industries, and plans to apply various special exemptions to these areas. Mayor Oh said, "By innovating quasi-industrial zones, we will secure future-oriented work and startup spaces."

The city will also expand its transformation of administrative systems using artificial intelligence (AI) starting next year. He mentioned the advancement of AI-based traffic signal systems, disaster prediction systems, and urban data platforms, stating, "We will accelerate the digital transformation of all urban sectors, including manufacturing, distribution, finance, and care."

Additionally, Mayor Oh plans to further segment the scope of his signature welfare policy, 'Companionship with the Vulnerable.' Beyond the broad categories of 'youth, women, and the elderly,' the policy is expected to expand to include groups such as 'youth working late-night shifts,' 'double-care women' who simultaneously care for parents and children while working, and 'single-person elderly households' who remain isolated due to severed relationships.

Mayor Oh referenced the idiom "mabujeongje" (馬不停蹄), which means a horse does not stop its hooves while running. He added, "In 2026, Seoul will continue to race toward a better future, just like the spirit of this red horse," and vowed, "I will complete Seoul as a future special city where global competitiveness, digital innovation, and citizen safety operate together."