Yoo Yeon-sik, a preliminary candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea for Yeongdeungpo district mayor, announced his "six core pledges" on Tuesday.
An administrative expert who held key positions at the Seoul Metropolitan Government for 30 years, Yoo presented a vision to elevate Yeongdeungpo beyond southwestern Seoul into a "global premium city" representing South Korea.
"A city is a space where people live, so residents must be able to feel change in every aspect of life, including housing, jobs, transportation, culture and welfare," Yoo said. "As a 'prepared district mayor' who proves himself through results rather than words, I will lead the grand transformation of Yeongdeungpo."
His six pledges include creating a global premium city, building a cutting-edge transportation city with connections in all directions, leaping into a world-class cultural city, establishing a childcare and education city where children and parents are happy, creating a welfare hub for lifelong happiness, and implementing an AI-based "Yeongdeungpo-style basic society."
To create a "global premium city," he plans to swiftly push forward redevelopment and reconstruction projects and establish a Fourth Industrial Revolution Zone to drive the local economy. In particular, he envisions developing Yeouido into an international financial hub by fostering the fintech industry and attracting global financial institutions.
In transportation, he aims to improve the urban structure severed by railways and build a key metropolitan transit hub where the GTX and KTX intersect. He also plans to extend the Mokdong Line light rail to Yeongdeungpo to enhance residents' mobility.
In culture, Yoo said he would build the "Second Sejong Center for the Performing Arts" in Mullae-dong as planned, elevating the area into a cultural hub of southwestern Seoul. Yoo personally led this project during his tenure as head of Seoul's Culture Bureau.
In childcare and education, he emphasized creating a "Yeongdeungpo that is good for raising children" by expanding public and national daycare centers, improving safety networks on school routes, and establishing a public postpartum care center.
In welfare, he plans to build a customized welfare system encompassing all generations, from the elderly to youth, to enhance the stability of residents' lives.
He also pledged to implement an AI-based "Yeongdeungpo-style basic society." By expanding AI education for residents and establishing digital capability training centers, he aims to simultaneously boost administrative efficiency and everyday convenience.
"Yeongdeungpo is now at a critical juncture where it must decide whether to remain in familiarity or move toward the future," Yoo said. "Having experienced the entire process from policy planning to execution, I will pour my 30 years of administrative experience into the development of Yeongdeungpo."
Meanwhile, Yoo is an administrative expert who graduated from Seoul National University's College of Law and Graduate School of Public Administration, passed the Higher Civil Service Examination in 1991, and served as head of Seoul's Culture Bureau, Climate and Environment Headquarters, and Waterworks Authority.
