Mayor Park Woonki of Seodaemun: "Yujin Shopping Center and Inwang Market Development is Essential... I Will Urge Seoul City to Lend Full Support"

[Interview] Park Woonki, Mayor of Seodaemun District
"Too risky with only district funding... Seoul City and SH input needed"
"Fast-track if desired, cancel if not"
Redevelopment projects to reflect residents' wishes
A direct approach to Hongjecheon, transport, and Sinchon—three major challenges

Park Woonki, Mayor of Seodaemun District in Seoul (pictured), marked his second month in office by giving an interview to The Asia Business Daily. He stated, "I will not set all the answers as mayor and impose them on the residents," and added, "We will pursue a resident-centered administration by accelerating projects that residents want and decisively halting projects they do not want."

The top priority he identified is the long-awaited development of the Yujin Shopping Center and Inwang Market areas in Seodaemun. When we met Mayor Park in his office on August 27, he asserted, "This project is essential and will be carried out." However, he noted that because the total project cost will reach 1.2 trillion won, it would be a heavy burden for the district alone to handle. He therefore requested the participation of the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation (SH Corporation).

Park Woonki, head of Seodaemun District Office, revealed plans for the development of the Yujin Shopping Center and Inwang Market area in an interview with The Asia Business Daily on the 27th of last month. Provided by Seodaemun District Office.

The development of the Yujin Shopping Center and Inwang Market area has experienced several failures and recurring conflicts, but passed integrated review by the Seoul Metropolitan Government during the 8th popularly-elected administration. Given the complex web of stakeholders, Mayor Park believes it is necessary to review the procedures again to ensure the project is carried out properly.

To this end, since his inauguration, Seodaemun District has launched a task force directly under the mayor, bringing together experts in fields such as redevelopment, accounting, taxation, and legal affairs. This public-private "Redevelopment Project Operations Review Task Force" is reviewing the budget, accounting, and implementation methods for the Yujin Shopping Center and Inwang Market project as well. Mayor Park emphasized, "This is not about abandoning or suspending the project, but about correcting any shortcomings to deliver a proper, 100% successful outcome."

The key issue is funding. This is the first time in the country that a district government is directly leading such a project, which also means the level of risk is high. It would be difficult for the district to shoulder the enormous financial costs and liabilities if the project were to go awry.

Mayor Park said, "Our preferred approach is for the Seoul Metropolitan Government to make a firm decision and for SH Corporation to participate in the implementation," and added, "If this happens, subsequent procedures such as project approval and management and disposal authorizations could also proceed much more quickly." He explained that he plans to meet sequentially with the Vice Mayor of Seoul, related headquarters chiefs, and the president of SH Corporation, and eventually consult with Mayor Oh Sehoon, stating, "Even if I have to hold onto their coattails, I will ask for help."

In response to concerns that operating the task force could delay the project, he asserted that this process would actually reduce factors causing delay. He said, "While a forceful approach may seem faster, in reality, when some residents or stakeholders are excluded, the result is repeated internal strife and lawsuits, which ultimately prolong the timeline. By conducting an objective review and listening to the residents again, we can actually achieve stable and speedy completion."

Currently, there are 54 redevelopment project areas across Seodaemun District. Mayor Park stated, "The guiding principle for redevelopment projects is to promote fairness and transparency." If residents wish to proceed, the district will accelerate the process by supporting direct formation of associations and streamlined planning. For projects residents do not want, they will be decisively canceled—a so-called "Seodaemun-style redevelopment project."

He took a firm stance on the recent "fake consent form" controversy that arose in Moa Town, Hongje-dong. Mayor Park said, "I have ordered a full review to address the suspicions raised by opposing residents," adding, "The protection of residents' property rights and transparency of process take priority over speed. There will never be approval without checking requirements if there are unresolved doubts." He also said that if an inspection by the district is not enough, he will request a joint investigation with the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

He believes Moa Town projects should be implemented selectively by region. He stated, "In areas such as Hyeonjeo-dong with a concentration of old residential buildings and strong demand for development, the projects are necessary, but for other areas, we need to be more cautious after assessing business feasibility." He also mentioned the criteria for project cancellation. While the mandatory threshold is 25% opposition, because the Seoul Metropolitan Government recommends considering cancellation if opposition reaches 20%, Seodaemun District will review cancellations using the 20% benchmark.

Park Woon-ki, Mayor of Seodaemun District, is explaining the three major tasks including the restoration of Hongjecheon. Provided by Seodaemun District Office.

Mayor Park identified "Natural Restoration of Hongjecheon Stream," "expansion of metropolitan transportation networks," and "revitalization of the Sinchon and Ewha commercial districts" as top priorities that must be fulfilled. The restoration of Hongjecheon Stream is also what initially motivated him to enter politics. Witnessing the stream where he played as a child become dry and polluted, he launched a movement to save Hongjecheon, later serving as a district councilor and formally initiating restoration work in 2004.

He pledged, "I will fully restore Hongjecheon as a natural stream." In connection with the Yujin Shopping Center and Inwang Market development, the plan is to remove about a 1-kilometer section of covered stream and install a large underground rainwater retention basin to prepare for heavy rains. This approach would use stored rainwater instead of drawing water from the Han River, changing the current system. He assessed the present Hongjecheon, stating, "As a desirable place to visit, I would give it a score of 70 out of 100; ecologically, only 30."

To address the transport blind spot in the Hongun area, he expressed the need to relaunch the Gangbuk Line project and to establish a new station at Ganhodae. He also said the district will work with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to expedite the construction of the Seobu Line light rail. "If we only focus on economic efficiency, routes only get built where the population is high. In reality, transportation access is what supports both residential areas and local commercial districts," he said.

He acknowledged that the Sinchon and Ewha districts—once the leading commercial hubs of Seoul—have fallen behind compared to Hongdae, Yeonnam-dong, and Seongsu-dong. Mayor Park said, "I'll transform the district from a place where people just drop by to a place where they spend the whole day," and presented initiatives such as the Sinchon Pass, a special district for youth AI, and the creation of youth community hubs as key policies.

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