New district mayor inspects key sites in transportation, education, urban development and environment on first day of elected term
Holds low-key inauguration with staff, pledges to continue Gangdong's development
Lee Su-hee, the newly inaugurated district mayor of Seoul's Gangdong-gu, kicked off her first day in office Tuesday by personally visiting key sites across the transportation, education, urban development and environment sectors to review the direction of major policy initiatives.
The site visits were organized to share the policy priorities of the new elected term and to incorporate feedback from residents and staff into district administration. Lee toured major project sites in each of the four sectors, reviewing progress and laying out her vision going forward.
She began by riding Subway Line 8 from Byeollae Station in Namyangju — the line's starting point — to Cheonho Station during the morning rush hour, assessing crowding on trains and at stations. Along the way, she listened to commuters' feedback as part of her effort to create a safer and more convenient public transit environment for residents.
She then visited Seoul National Cemetery to pay her respects to fallen patriots and independence fighters, reaffirming her commitment to a fresh start for the district under the new elected term.
Lee also visited Dongshin Middle School, currently a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate program, as part of efforts to have Gangdong-gu designated as Seoul's first IB international education special zone. She met with teachers and parents to review progress toward establishing the zone and discussed ways to build an educational environment that nurtures globally competitive future talent.
Lee also stopped by the Cheonho A1-2 redevelopment zone to check on the project's progress and hear from people on the ground. As a major urban development initiative aimed at improving residential conditions and revitalizing the Cheonho-dong area, she reviewed outstanding issues and future plans to keep the project on track.
After wrapping up her morning site visits, Lee took time during the lunch hour to connect with district office staff. She personally handed out drinks to employees in front of the main district office building, expressing her gratitude and encouragement to those who have worked to advance the district.
In the afternoon, she held her inauguration ceremony in the district office's main auditorium with staff in attendance. The ceremony, held without outside guests, consisted of an oath of office, an inaugural address and a mutual greeting with employees, and was designed to share her vision for a district administration centered on practicality and open communication. The district plans to forgo the event operating budget originally allocated for the inauguration and redirect those funds toward projects that benefit residents.
After the ceremony, Lee toured the area from the Amsa water intake station to the planned site of a Han River Greenway observation deck, reviewing plans to develop waterfront spaces along the Han River and expand everyday leisure infrastructure. She examined the direction for creating water-friendly public spaces that allow residents to enjoy the Han River as part of their daily lives and shared her vision for the project.
"Gangdong will move beyond being simply 'a great place to live' and become a 'Wanna-Be Gangdong' — a place where everyone wants to live (Wanna Live), wants to work (Wanna Work), and wants to raise their children (Wanna Grow)," Lee said. She added that she would "open a new era for Gangdong — Seoul's most dynamic and distinctively appealing district — together with its residents."
Gangdong-gu plans to accelerate key projects in transportation, education, urban development and the environment under the new elected term, building on the achievements of the previous term to raise residents' quality of life and sustain the district's ongoing development.
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
