Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said, "The direction of Seoul's municipal administration in 2026 is clear. We will redraw Seoul's board, set the course for growth straight, and steadfastly protect the foundation of life."
Oh said this in a New Year's address released on Dec. 31, 20206, saying, "Seoul will forge ahead without hesitation while never losing its broad direction, and will once again make a vigorous leap as a city that accelerates toward innovation without losing sight of citizens' lives."
Oh put forward "Again, the heyday of Gangbuk" and "dwellings supply" as next year's key themes. He said, "Gangbuk must thrive for Seoul to grow, and Seoul must grow for the Republic of Korea to advance," adding, "We will revitalize Gangbuk, the central axis of Seoul, and develop it beyond balance into a new growth base to open 'again, the heyday of Gangbuk.'"
He added, "The signal flare will be the Sewoon District mixed-use development," and said, "We will create a green axis connecting Namsan and Jongmyo to rebirth the downtown as a creative area where history and the future coexist."
He also explained plans to reorganize transportation infrastructure by relaunching the Gangbuk transverse line and building the Gangbuk transverse underground expressway, to construct the 28,000-seat "Seoul Arena" and the advanced industry hub "Seoul Digital Biocity" (S-DBC), and to refurbish aging residential areas through expedited integrated planning and Moa Town.
Oh also unveiled a grand remodeling plan for the southwest region. He said, "We will innovate the quasi-industrial zones in the southwest to transform them into job-residence-leisure centers where work and leisure, culture and green space are in harmony."
Oh also emphasized his resolve on dwellings supply. He said, "Including the start of construction on 23,000 units this year, we will surely fulfill our promise to supply a total of 310,000 units by 2031 and resolve instability in dwelling prices through supply stability."