Oh Sehoon: "Balanced Development in Northern Seoul Based on the 'Power of Accumulation' in City Governance"

New Year’s Gathering at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry on January 7
"National and Urban Prosperity Comes from the Power of Accumulation"

On January 7, Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon once again expressed his commitment to ushering in a "Golden Era for Northern Seoul." He stated that his administration will pursue balanced development, building on the foundation established over the past four years of city governance.

Mayor Oh made these remarks at the Seoul New Year’s Gathering, held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the morning of January 7. The event was attended by Choi Taewon, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Choi Hojung, Chair of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, Chung Geunsik, Superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, and Park Jeongbo, Chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, among others.

Yonhap News Agency

Mayor Oh began by stating, "The prosperity of a nation and a city is not the result of short-term achievements, but rather the weight of time accumulated in the right direction-what I call the 'power of accumulation.' At the heart of Seoul’s governance over the past four years has been precisely this accumulation."

He continued, "At one point, Seoul suffered from setbacks in urban competitiveness due to policy discontinuity and stagnation. I have devoted my utmost efforts to reversing what I call the 'lost decade' and reviving the pulse of Seoul."

Highlighting achievements such as the Global City Comprehensive Competitiveness Index and the Climate Companion Card, Mayor Oh said, "The many voices saying 'Seoul has changed' are both the result of the city’s accumulated administrative achievements and evidence of this accumulation. This year, I pledge to use this accumulation as a stepping stone to fundamentally restructure Seoul."

He then presented "balanced development of Northern Seoul" as his top goal for the year. Mayor Oh stated, "The starting point is balanced development. 'Once again, the Golden Era for Northern Seoul' is not a slogan for a specific region. It is a clear judgment that Seoul as a whole cannot leap forward without unlocking the potential of Northern Seoul."

Previously, in his New Year’s address at the end of last year, Mayor Oh also expressed his commitment to balanced development, declaring, "I will no longer allow Northern Seoul to remain just a bedroom community."

Mayor Oh emphasized, "By transforming Northern Seoul from a bedroom community into a hub for economy and culture, we will drive growth for all of Seoul. I am determined to make 'One Seoul,' where the East, West, South, and North support and uplift one another, a reality." In this context, he mentioned specific goals such as the Northern Seoul Transit Line, underground expressways, the Yongsan Northeast Asia Business Hub, advanced start-up spaces in the southwestern region, and the Jamsil MICE hub.

In addition, Mayor Oh explained that the city will continue its policy direction by resolving housing insecurity through expedited integrated planning, supporting new industries such as AI and bio, and building a safety net based on solidarity with the vulnerable.

Finally, Mayor Oh said, "The power of a drop of water to pierce a rock lies not in its force, but in its unwavering persistence. With the experience of achieving results and the capabilities we have accumulated, Seoul is preparing for an even greater leap forward."