Jongno-gu District Mayor Yu Chan-jong Pledges to Build a Jongno Future Generations Can Be Proud Of

Jongno-gu held an inauguration ceremony for Yu Chan-jong, the newly elected district mayor of the ninth directly elected term, on Tuesday at Changsin Art Hall in the Jongno District Community Center, marking the start of a new era in district administration.

Residents and dignitaries from across the community gathered to celebrate the launch of the ninth term. Yu, taking office as the 37th district mayor of Jongno-gu, said he was well aware of residents' desire for change and pledged to "build a Jongno that future generations can be proud of."

The ninth-term Jongno-gu administration will pursue a wide range of policies grounded in Yu's six core pledges: a welfare city that cares together, a jobs-centered economic city, a cultural city rooted in history, a lifelong-education city for the future, a safe city for everyday convenience, and a participatory city built with residents.

On welfare, the district will establish a Jongno-style integrated care center and a "Geuyang Haedeurim" support center to strengthen elder care, build a community health clinic in the Changsin and Sungin neighborhoods, and set up a dong-level integrated care system. Tailored support programs for children, teenagers and youth will also be expanded.

The district also aims to energize the local economy. Working with the private sector, it plans to create 8,000 jobs and develop an urban manufacturing special zone. Night tourism content and a night pass will be introduced to extend tourists' stays, while parking policies tailored to alley commercial districts will help revitalize local businesses.

In culture, the district will nurture K-content drawing on Jongno's history and traditions. Plans include a global performance week on Daehangno and a stronger support framework for artists, while Insadong's traditional cultural resources will be developed into hands-on tourism content to boost competitiveness.

In education, the district will establish a public AI center and library to build a foundation for future learning and will move forward with constructing a Jongno Youth Center. Improvements to the educational environment at leading schools and expanded internship programs linked to public institutions will broaden opportunities for young people.

On residential and safety issues, the district will pursue redevelopment that puts residents' interests first and will form a rapid-support task force for redevelopment and reconstruction projects directly under the district mayor's office. Safety infrastructure close to daily life — including AI-monitored safe school routes and expanded road heating systems — will continue to be built out.

Yu also signaled a shift in how the district will be run. A mobile district mayor's office — visiting markets, senior centers, schools and construction sites — and a 24-hour rapid-response center to handle residents' everyday complaints on the spot will anchor a field-first approach to administration.

"With the belief and confidence that we can do it, I will lead Jongno's transformation together with 140,000 residents and 1,300 public servants," Yu said.