Hyunhee Jeon Announces Seoul Mayoral Bid: "DDP to Be Demolished for Seoul Dome Arena"

Hyunhee Jeon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced her candidacy for Seoul mayor in the June 3 local elections on February 2, declaring her intention to dismantle the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, and build a multipurpose complex facility called the "Seoul Dome Arena" on the site.

Hyunhee Jeon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, declared her candidacy for Seoul mayor on the 2nd at the National Assembly Communication Office, announcing a pledge to create the Seoul Dome Arena at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) site. Photo by Yonhap News

Jeon made this announcement during a press conference held at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of February 2.

She stated, "Former President Kim Youngsam made the decision to demolish the Government-General of Korea building to eliminate remnants of the Japanese colonial era," adding, "I will dismantle the DDP, which has become a prime example of Mayor Oh Sehoon's exhibitionist administration that severed the Dongdaemun fashion retail district and turned the Dongdaemun Market area into a ghost town."

The Seoul Dome Arena is envisioned as a complex cultural space where K-pop stars like BTS can hold regular performances. Regarding this, Jeon explained, "It will be a multipurpose complex facility that can be transformed at the push of a button into a baseball stadium, soccer stadium, e-sports arena, or a venue for fashion and cultural events," adding, "I will revive Dongdaemun as a hub for baseball, and as a space where people can enjoy soccer and e-sports."

Jeon also said, "The root cause of many problems currently faced by Seoul citizens is 'money,'" and emphasized, "I will not become an incompetent mayor who fails to safeguard citizens' happiness due to a lack of budget. I will be a CEO mayor who brings in revenue."

She then presented seven visions: ▲ an era where civil complaints are resolved within 10 minutes through 'AI Seoul Sinmungo'; ▲ a Seoul-style housing model that provides quality housing and creates a ladder for upward mobility; ▲ a hyper-connected Seoul where transportation is a basic right; ▲ a city that generates revenue by fostering key industries in areas like Yeouido and Dongdaemun; ▲ a global cultural tourism city through the commercialization of nature, culture, and history experiences; ▲ the restoration of communication sovereignty by establishing high-speed communication networks and lowering communication fees; and ▲ a basic society where fundamental rights are guaranteed as entitlements.

Born in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, Jeon graduated from Seoul National University School of Dentistry and worked as a dentist before passing the 38th National Bar Exam in 1996, becoming the first dentist-turned-lawyer in Korea. She served as a member of Lawyers for a Democratic Society, on the Environment Committee and Women's Rights Committee, and as the head of the Green Citizens' Rights Center at the Green Consumer Network. In 2020, she was appointed as the Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, a ministerial-level position.

Jeon emphasized, "With my political capabilities as a three-term lawmaker and extensive administrative experience as Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, I will resolve the tangled and corrupt administration of Seoul, a global capital, with proven competence."