Incheon's Jemulpo-gu District (Mayor Kim Chan-jin) has unveiled the first blueprint for its newly launched integrated autonomous district in the old downtown area. On July 2, Mayor Kim held his first press meeting since taking office at the Sonamu Hall of the Songrim government complex, where he laid out his vision, operating direction and implementation plans for key pledge projects that will guide the district's governance over the next four years. The meeting was arranged shortly after Jemulpo-gu took its first step as a new autonomous district by combining Incheon's Dong-gu District and the inland areas of Jung-gu District, and it served as the first occasion to explain to residents and the local community the direction the region will take following the integration.
 [The Korean Today] Press meeting held by Kim Chan-jin, first mayor of Jemulpo-gu District © Reporter Kim Mi-hee |
At the meeting, Mayor Kim set out 'Beyond Integration, Toward the Future — Jemulpo-gu on the Move Again' as his district governance vision. Describing the launch of Jemulpo-gu as "not merely a merger of administrative districts but a historic start toward opening a new future for Incheon's old downtown," he stressed, "We will build a city that all residents take pride in and a city where future generations can hold onto hope." In effect, he presented as the rationale for integration his determination to put the old downtown, long neglected in development, back on a growth track.
Four principles were presented as the broad thrust of district governance. Mayor Kim named as his four principles ▲revitalizing the old downtown and stimulating the local economy ▲building global education infrastructure and cultivating talent ▲integrating and branding historical, cultural and tourism resources ▲realizing a happy welfare city enjoyed by all, and said he would use these as the standard for district governance throughout his term.
First, in the area of the local economy, he placed weight on restoring vitality to the underdeveloped old downtown. His plan is to actively push forward redevelopment centered on station areas and revive local commercial districts, while laying a foundation for future growth linked to the marine and logistics industries to breathe life into the stagnant old downtown economy. In education, he said he would concentrate administrative resources on creating an education city where anyone can receive quality education regardless of their circumstances, by improving aging educational environments and expanding policies to nurture future talent.
In culture and tourism, he presented a strategy to bundle the old downtown's scattered historical assets into a single brand. The idea is to connect the abundant historical and cultural resources remaining across the district — such as the Open Port area, Wolmido and Baedari — into a city brand unique to Jemulpo-gu, and to make it a driving force for revitalizing tourism in the old downtown. In welfare, he pledged to implement finely woven welfare policies that all generations — children, young people, the elderly and people with disabilities — can actually feel, promising life-oriented support for every generation.
 [The Korean Today] Jemulpo-gu District Mayor Kim Chan-jin explaining the district governance vision and pledge projects © Reporter Kim Mi-hee |
Mayor Kim also enumerated in detail the major pledge projects he promised to residents. They include ▲continuing to push urban development in the station areas of Dongincheon Station and Incheon Station ▲redeveloping Piers 1 and 8 of the Inner Port and utilizing Piers 2 through 7 as marine waterfront spaces ▲creating a marine and legal hub city by attracting the main Maritime Court ▲revitalizing root industries in connection with the Hwasu Pier urban regeneration innovation district ▲designating an education internationalization special zone ▲expanding a transportation network reaching in all directions, including the extension of the Incheon Line 3 and the Incheon-origin KTX to Incheon Station ▲and branding a tourism belt linking Manseok and Hwasu piers, Wolmido, Chinatown and Baedari. He said, "I will push forward without setback the pledge projects that are our promise to residents, and create new growth engines for Jemulpo-gu."
In particular, Mayor Kim pointed to attracting the Maritime Court as a key opportunity for the region's leap forward. "Confirming the temporary Maritime Court building in Jemulpo-gu will be an important opportunity for Jemulpo-gu to leap forward as Korea's marine and logistics hub city," he said, adding, "I will concentrate all administrative capabilities so that the main court, too, is established in Jemulpo-gu and leads to the revitalization of the local economy." The goal is to bring in not only the temporary building but also the main court, establishing the district as a city where law and the marine industry converge.
Mayor Kim said, "Jemulpo-gu is now at a point where it must move forcefully beyond integration toward a new future," and pledged, "Based on residents' unity and communication, I will do my utmost so that it can become a city where all grow together and leap forward as the new central city of Incheon's old downtown." He added, "As the future of the new Jemulpo-gu is created together by the administration and residents, I ask for your continued interest and support," and said, "Together with our residents, I will surely build a Jemulpo-gu on the move again, with greater hope and a better future." Whether Jemulpo-gu, enlarged through integration, can turn the long-standing task of old downtown regeneration into real results is expected to be on trial throughout his term.
[ Reporter Kim Mi-hee: incheonsouth@thekoreantoday.com ]
Become a Local Ambassador Apply as Branch Director The Korean Today — Nam-Incheon
 |
<저작권자 ⓒ 코리안투데이(The Korean Today) 무단전재 및 재배포 금지>
