Dongjak Mayor-Elect Ryu Samyoung: "Redevelopment Is Top Priority, Will Move Quickly in the Direction Residents Want"

Creating Hot Spots with Dongjak Tower and Han River Cable Car
Driving Administrative Innovation with AI, Governing with Democracy
Interview with Ryu Samyoung, Mayor-elect of Dongjak District

Ryu Samyoung, the mayor-elect of Dongjak District who was elected in the 6·3 local elections, stated, "The top priority for Dongjak District is redevelopment and reconstruction," and added, "We will push forward the projects as quickly as possible and in the direction residents want."

In an interview with The Asia Business Daily on June 18, Ryu said, "Dongjak is currently experiencing the greatest demand for development in its history," and added, "Given the high expectations of residents, we will ensure both speed and proper direction."

Ryu Samyoung, the mayor-elect of Dongjak District, smiles while explaining the vision for the 9th term of direct election in an interview with The Asia Business Daily. Provided by the Dongjak District Mayor Transition Committee.

Ryu identified "speed" and "conflict mediation" as the core of his redevelopment policy. He explained, "For zones where consensus has been reached, we will shorten procedures as much as possible, and for areas with conflicts, we will analyze the causes and mediate accordingly." He continued, "Conflicts do not simply disappear but must be managed, so the role of the administration is to propose solutions that minimize losses for all parties." To this end, he plans to first establish a "Rapid Promotion Task Force" and a "Conflict Mediation System."

He particularly emphasized a decision-making structure centered on external experts. Ryu stated, "It is difficult to persuade residents with decisions made solely by public officials," and added, "We will actively utilize external personnel, including socially trusted experts and local figures, to enhance fairness and acceptance." He also plans to introduce a region-specific redevelopment consulting system to resolve the issue of information asymmetry faced by residents in the early stages.

He made clear the principles to be upheld during the redevelopment process. Ryu said, "There are limits to a mayor unilaterally setting the direction and driving the process," and emphasized, "Public contributions and development methods must also prioritize the will of the residents." Referring to the delayed development of the Taepyung Department Store site near Isu Station, he said, "We will ensure that excessive administrative intervention does not hinder projects."

The second pillar identified by Ryu is "administrative innovation based on artificial intelligence (AI)." He pointed out, "The current adoption of AI remains largely superficial," and argued, "A paradigm shift in administration, on par with the introduction of computers and the internet, is needed." He envisions dramatically increasing the speed of administration as experienced by residents by automating the entire civil service process, from receipt to analysis and processing.

To achieve this, he intends to establish an "organization-wide implementation system" that involves all departments, rather than just specific ones, and to create governance structures that collaborate with external technology experts. However, he stressed that personal information protection and security issues are "the most important prerequisites," emphasizing a cautious approach.

The third core task is the creation of "hotspots." Ryu stated, "Despite Dongjak's location and potential, it lacks symbolic spaces," and added, "We will transform the urban structure by creating spaces that attract people." He cited the development of the Suhyup site and the construction of an observation tower in the Yongyangbongjeojeong area as representative projects.

On the Suhyup site, which is currently used as the Noryangjin Football Stadium, he plans to attract a large-scale complex facility and draw floating populations through a pedestrian bridge connecting to Yeouido. He said, "If access to Yeouido improves, Dongjak can rise as a true central hub."

For the Yongyangbongjeojeong area, he presented plans for a "Dongjak Tower" (an observation tower) over 100 meters tall that leverages views of the Han River, and for the installation of a cable car connecting to Nodeul Island. Ryu stated, "If linked with Nodeul Island, it can become a tourist attraction comparable to Namsan Tower."

Regarding district administration, he emphasized "democracy." He said, "There have been criticisms that Dongjak District's administration has been centered on the mayor," and added, "Going forward, decisions will be made according to the principle that residents are the true owners." To this end, he announced plans to create an open mayor's office on the first floor of the district office to facilitate communication with residents and to strengthen field-oriented administration.

He also signaled changes in the management of the civil servant organization. Ryu stated, "Personnel appointments and organizational management must be conducted in a predictable manner based on rules and principles," and added, "We will avoid practices swayed by the preferences of specific individuals."

Ryu concluded, "Redevelopment, AI-driven administrative innovation, and the creation of hotspots—these three pillars will determine the future of Dongjak," and added, "We will push forward rapidly to meet the expectations of our residents." He further emphasized, "The answer lies in the field," and said, "I will spend as much time as possible with residents on-site."

View of the Han River from Yongyangbongjeojeong Pavilion. Provided by Dongjak District.

*Yongyangbongjeojeong was a temporary pavilion (haenggung) and pavilion where King Jeongjo would rest after crossing the Han River on his way to visit the tomb of his father, Crown Prince Sado. It is a hidden observation spot in the city center that offers panoramic views of the Han River, Namsan, and the Seoul city skyline. It is located on the hill at the southern end of Hangang Bridge in Bon-dong, Dongjak District.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.