Lawmaker holds three consecutive forums on key district issues

"I will do my utmost for Jungnang's change and the recovery of people's livelihoods, in keeping with residents' wishes"

Provided by the office of Rep. Seo Young-gyo of the Democratic Party of Korea
Provided by the office of Rep. Seo Young-gyo of the Democratic Party of Korea

Rep. Seo Young-gyo of the Democratic Party of Korea, a four-term lawmaker representing Jungnang-gu A in Seoul, said Monday she held three consecutive forums to review key issues in Jungnang-gu and explore solutions.

The first forum focused on finding ways to repurpose idle police substations in the district. Seo was joined by Seoul Metropolitan Council members Lee Young-sil and Im Gyu-ho, Jungnang-gu Council members Park Yeol-wan, Choi Eun-ju and Kim Dae-hyeong, and proportional-representation council member-elect Bok Gyeong-ok, along with officials from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Planning and Budget, the Korea Asset Management Corporation and Jungnang-gu Office. Participants reviewed legal and administrative requirements and discussed a range of potential uses for the facilities.

"Residents have consistently called for these police substation sites to be put to use," Seo said. "It is deeply regrettable that spaces that once kept our community safe have been left idle since their closure. As these are valuable assets belonging to residents, we must explore every possible use and return them to the community."

In response, Moon Sang-gi, head of the state property support division at the Korea Asset Management Corporation, said the agency operates a range of public welfare programs — including its Naraon project and Camco-brary initiative — and pledged to "actively review the most suitable option for the idle police substation sites in Jungnang-gu."

The forum examined a broad set of alternatives for the substation sites, including reconstruction, remodeling, demolition and conversion into parks, as well as administrative options such as rent reductions for prospective operators.

A second forum was held that afternoon to review the progress of the Myeongmok Line urban railway project. Seo was joined by the head of Seoul City Hall's transportation bureau and the railway project team leader.

"The Myeongmok Line — a project Jungnang-gu residents have sought for 30 years — has passed its preliminary feasibility study and is now firmly on track," Seo said. "With ground-breaking approaching, ensuring the project proceeds without a hitch is paramount."

Yeo Jang-gwon, head of Seoul's transportation bureau, acknowledged that rising global raw materials prices had made cost increases unavoidable, but said the city was working to prevent delays. "We are reviewing a turnkey approach that would combine detailed design and construction into a single process," Yeo said. "We will push hard to break ground in the second half of next year."

Seo said the design should be refined carefully to keep the project on schedule while minimizing inconvenience to residents. "I will stay vigilant and carefully oversee every stage of the project until the day the Myeongmok Line opens," she said.

Seo concluded the day by holding a third forum with Jungnang-gu Office officials to review the status of major ongoing projects in the district.

The forum covered projects funded through special grants from the Ministry of Interior and Safety that Seo had secured, as well as several high-profile initiatives drawing strong public interest — the construction of Sagajeong Library, the development of a cultural and sports complex at the Myeongmok detention basin, the building of a multipurpose gymnasium spanning the Myeongmok and Mangu areas, the installation of senior rest shelters, the placement of designer streetlights near Sangbong Station, and the rollout of smart shelters at bus stops. Participants discussed the current status and future plans for each project.

"I will work closely with Jungnang-gu Office to accelerate these projects so that residents' daily inconveniences are reduced and their quality of life improved," Seo said. "Creating change and results that residents can feel in their everyday lives is what matters most. I will do my utmost for Jungnang's change and the recovery of people's livelihoods, in keeping with residents' wishes."


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