Schedules may change; programs may close early once full. Tap a date on the calendar above to see that day's events.

Highlights this month

Listening to residents and working on the ground, Dongjak has begun its changes one by one — closer communication, tighter safety, faster change. Here is a look back at the first 100 days of the 9th popularly elected administration.

① Finding answers on the ground — hands-on administration

• Resident Dialogue Day held: 2,023 participants across 15 dong, 172 opinions collected
• Visits to senior centers, welfare centers, libraries and other key local facilities

② Acting early — safety comes first

• Flood-and-storm task force and 24-hour disaster-safety command center
• Site checks at Sin-Noryangjin Market, Noryangjin rainwater pumping station, Dorim Stream flood facilities
• Safety inspections before large events such as water parks and the fireworks festival
• Eulji civil-defense drill and joint public-military-police response checks

③ Decision No. 1 of the term — fast-tracking urban renewal

• Approved redevelopment-promotion measure No. 1 on the very first day in office
• Launched a mayor-led Redevelopment Promotion Committee and an open redevelopment consulting desk
• Proposed to the Seoul mayors-of-districts council that authority to designate small (≤500-household) renewal zones be devolved to the district — the transfer was approved
• Sadang District 17 completed union-establishment approval just 22 months after site selection, the fastest case since the fast-track (Sintong-gihoek) program began

④ Lower barriers — open administration, open dialogue

• Mayor's Dialogue Day, held every Tuesday and Thursday: 240 participants, 209 opinions collected
• Held meetings with elementary/middle-school parents and with district-office staff
• 'Ryu-Quiz' — informal on-site conversations between the mayor and residents from all walks of life

⑤ Laughing together, one Dongjak

• Bridging generations, from seniors' 'Dongjak Star Singing Contest' to toddlers' 'Dongki-Momki' gymnastics
• Hosted unifying events such as the Dementia Awareness Day ceremony and Gender Equality Week

⑥ Walking warmly alongside the vulnerable

• Cultural performances and family-companion camps for residents with disabilities
• Held the inclusive 'Welfare Hope Festival' built on sharing and participation
• Helped vulnerable residents through summer — the 'Hope Summer' sharing campaign and samgyetang (chicken soup) giveaways

Fast-tracked urban development

• Development-focused reorganization — creating the Redevelopment Fast-Track Task Force and Spatial Development Task Force
• Launched the Redevelopment Promotion Committee — chaired directly by the mayor, with a 110-expert pool across urban-planning fields
• Proposed devolving approval authority for small (≤500-household) redevelopment/reconstruction to the district
• Sadang District 17 union-establishment approval — completed just 22 months after site selection, the fastest case since the fast-track program began
• Advancing fast-track redevelopment — planning underway at 9 sites including Sadang District 16, candidate-site designation at 4 sites including Noryangjin District 12

Tighter-knit welfare

• Single-person household support center underway
• Boosted integrated-care services — daily-living care cap raised from KRW 1M to 1.8M
• Opened a package of children's water-play pools — 3 small pools serving 6,028 children plus 7,215 at the 'Noryang Water-Gun Battle' at Noryangjin soccer field
• Expanded electric-mobility-device insurance for people with disabilities — coverage cap raised from KRW 20M to 50M, new support of up to KRW 5M for legal fees
• Relocated and expanded the Family Support Center for people with disabilities near Noryangjin Station
• Doubled the adoption incentive — KRW 1M for a child without a disability, KRW 2M for a child with one

Solid education

• Hands-on tech education — a 'Future-Tech Playground' for elementary pupils, 8 future-education programs for 468 pupils, a parent-and-child robotics camp for 103
• Wider lifelong-learning access — 32 Residents' College programs for 1,064 people, 5 summer mini-courses for 109
• Study mentoring — 74 groups of 1:1 'Dongjak Teacher' mentoring, university-student mentoring at 6 district youth reading rooms
• Summer future-talent camps — a kids' broadcasting academy and an English camp for 70 children

A lively local economy

• Issued KRW 6 billion in Dongjak Love gift certificates ahead of Chuseok
• Opened the Cheongseok Startup & Employment Support Center
• KRW 1.234 billion in low-interest loans through the SME support fund
• Sadang 1-dong's Meokja Alley selected for Seoul's 'Moonlight Night Market' program, securing KRW 2 billion
• Boosted senior job placement — on-site interviews and hiring links with McDonald's Korea, 51 seniors completed tailored AI-skills training
• Widened eligibility for small-business sickness/injury business-interruption insurance — operating-period requirement eased from 3 years to 6 months, residency requirement dropped

Administration close to daily life

• 61 new spaces at the Cheongseok public parking lot
• Vertical parking-line markings extended up walls at 4 pilot public lots
• Advancing relocation of the Heukseok bus depot and building a parking lot in its place
• Hands-on heatwave measures — the 'Happy-dong' cooling shelter, air-conditioner replacements at senior-center cooling shelters
• Built an integrated digital map for EVs — charging-station locations, rates and fire-safety facilities in one place
• Held the 'Sangkwon-i-eum' commerce festival — cash-back events at 3 markets including Namseong Sagye
• Free entrance-ramp installation for 20 small shops under 300㎡

Under the 9th administration's vision of 'a brighter Dongjak, a happier resident,' six strategic goals drive flagship projects in every field — advancing resident-centered communication and bold administrative innovation.

Strategy 1. Fast-tracked urban renewal

• Stronger support and risk management for renewal projects — the Renewal Promotion Committee, area-by-area promotion TFTs, tailored oversight of local housing-association projects
• Fast, tailored housing-renewal delivery — dramatic supply gains through redevelopment, continued expansion of fast-track (Sintong-gihoek) candidate sites
• Transit-hub anchor development and stronger commercial function — upzoning key station areas, expanding commercial zones

Strategy 2. AI-driven administrative innovation

• Wider AI-based, resident-tailored services — a next-gen local-government platform including integrated civil-complaint handling, tailored AI/digital literacy training, AI-assisted feasibility analysis for renewal projects, an AI smart-care safety net
• Digital, data-driven administration and safety infrastructure — an upgraded big-data platform and an AI-based disaster-response system

Strategy 3. Creating new hotspots

• Waterfront and urban landmarks — a high-density landmark at the Noryangjin fisheries-cooperative site with a pedestrian overpass, a Han River tower at Yongyangbongjeojeong Park, a riverside park/crosswalk/promenade garden by Heukseok Elementary, a riverside cultural space along Dorim Stream
• Tourism assets and lively local commerce — branding the '8 Scenic Views of Dongjak', the Noryangjin Manna-ro theme street, and the Sadang 1-dong Meokja Alley moonlight night market

Strategy 4. A convenient, safe city

• Well-connected, convenient transport — integrated management of public mobility (shuttle buses, safety cars, demand-responsive transit), fixes at chronic-congestion and hazard points, widening bottleneck roads, a public lot on the former Heukseok bus-depot site
• Proactive disaster response and tailored safety nets — real-time response centered on the disaster safety situation room, tighter safety measures at redevelopment sites, expanded underground power lines, the 'Just-Do-It Center' solving everyday inconveniences

Strategy 5. A sustainable future

• A better environment for raising children — a public postpartum-care center, dong-level kids' cafés, more 'Our Neighborhood Growth Centers' to fill childcare gaps for dual-income families
• A ladder of welfare for youth growth — a new comprehensive youth education center for career and college guidance, 'win-win dormitories' linked to university infrastructure
• Tailored health and leisure support for middle-aged and senior residents — a Dongjak lifelong-learning voucher, new district-level senior culture centers

Strategy 6. Realizing resident sovereignty

• Stronger on-the-ground dialogue and participatory governance — the 'Resident-Decided Policy+' platform, an open mayor's office, on-site 'Ryu-Quiz' sessions, strengthened resident autonomy councils, wider participatory budgeting
• Resident-friendly dong offices — a new complex building for Sadang 4-dong, a new community center for Sangdo 2-dong

Dongjak-gu carried out its first reorganization under the 9th administration to speed up delivery on its promises to residents — trimming inefficient, overlapping units (abolishing 1 task force and 2 divisions) and elevating the former Urban Transportation Bureau into the top-ranking 'Fast Development Bureau' to prioritize urban development. It also debuts a 'Redevelopment Fast-Track Task Force' and a 'Spatial Development Task Force' to maximize execution on renewal projects, plus an 'AI Administration Task Force' to raise administrative efficiency with AI.

<Redevelopment Fast-Track Task Force>

Clearing the way for redevelopment — leading Dongjak's housing-environment change through systematic project management and open dialogue.

• Key projects
• ➊ Overall control tower for renewal projects — runs the Renewal Promotion Committee (monthly), manages progress at 87 renewal/development sites, speeds up administrative procedures
• ➋ Proactive conflict prevention and mediation — area-based promotion TFTs, a conflict-management committee
• ➌ Open renewal consulting desk — at the open mayor's office, Wed & Fri 14:00–16:00, tailored expert consultations for residents

Contact: Redevelopment Fast-Track Task Force 02-820-1075

<Spatial Development Task Force>

Building Dongjak's landmarks — newly designing the district's urban space and creating future growth hubs that connect the Han River with the community.

• Key projects
• ➊ Building a Han River tower at Yongyangbongjeojeong — an observation tower overlooking all of Seoul
• ➋ A Han River waterfront park by Heukseok Elementary — a riverside park from the fisheries-cooperative site (Yeouisangnyu IC) to Dongjak Station, a pedestrian network linking neighborhoods to the river
• ➌ Growth hubs through mixed-use development — Sangdo 1-dong SOC: pool, sauna, senior center and parking combined / Noryangjin former office site: apartments, officetel, start-up/job-support facilities

Contact: Spatial Development Task Force 02-820-9960

<AI Administration Task Force>

Building smart government — connecting AI to administration for faster, more convenient service and a more convenient daily life in Dongjak.

• Key projects
• ➊ Finding and driving on-the-ground AI projects — an 'AI Leaders' group of experts and officials, identifying practical AI services through online/offline resident surveys
• ➋ A mid/long-term AI innovation master plan — a Dongjak-tailored AI plan for 2027–2029, field-by-field, year-by-year AI projects and an execution roadmap

Contact: AI Administration Task Force 02-820-9798

Residents' voices shape Dongjak's tomorrow. The 9th administration's district government has one goal: 'a brighter Dongjak, a happier resident.' Dongjak's change begins with your voice. We will keep working on the ground and listening to every resident. With administration where residents are the owners, we will complete together a bright, exciting future for Dongjak that everyone can feel.

Choi Gwi-jong (Noryangjin 1-dong) — Song and dance brought back my energy in old age.

I joined the 'Dongjak Star Singing Contest' with my senior-center friends, and it was truly fun to prepare. Practicing songs and cheering each other on together gave me far more energy in body and mind than staying home ever did. These days I'm hooked on the free line-dancing held every Friday evening at the district office auditorium. When you get older, the biggest wish is just to live out the rest of life healthy and happy. Thank you so much for creating good opportunities for seniors like me to stay active and enjoy ourselves.

Oh Jeong-hui (Sadang 2-dong) — Safety checked in advance made daily life more reassuring.

Before this year's monsoon season began, I saw the mayor and staff come out to Dorim Stream in person to carefully check for any hazards. Safety isn't a change you can clearly see, but it matters most when it rains heavily or there's a big event — how well things were prepared beforehand. I think the water parks and the fireworks festival went off without accidents precisely because the district inspected in advance and managed safety carefully on site. Going forward, I hope you'll keep looking after things carefully on the ground — not for show, but so residents actually feel life has gotten safer than before.

Kwon Seon-hui (Sangdo 2-dong) — It's great to be able to speak with the mayor directly.

I had a complaint that had gone unresolved for a long time, and this time I was able to tell the mayor directly, which was such a relief. He listened calmly to my story and said he'd think of it as his own problem and look for a way to solve it — I was truly moved. Above all, what impressed me was that he didn't just listen and leave it there, but thought together with me about how it could be solved. Just having a place where I can talk directly with the mayor feels very reassuring as a resident. I hope you'll keep listening to residents' stories like this going forward.

Park Ji-hyun (Sindaebang 2-dong) — I'm hopeful for our children's bright future.

Raising a middle-schooler, I've gotten so much help from the Dongjak-gu college-admissions support center — special lectures, counseling and more. As a parent, just being able to get this kind of information for free is reassuring. But because it's such a good program, online registration sometimes fills up fast, which has been disappointing at times. So I was truly glad to hear that the center will expand under the 9th administration. I hope more children get to enjoy good educational opportunities going forward. I hope Dongjak-gu will keep supporting our children solidly, so they can get a good education and grow their dreams right here in Dongjak, without having to go to Gangnam for it.

Kim Taek-gil (Sindaebang 2-dong) — I can finally see a path for our neighborhood's redevelopment.

I was interested in redevelopment, but the terms were so difficult and the procedures so complicated that I didn't know where to even ask. Searching online was confusing too, since I couldn't tell if it applied to my own neighborhood. But this time, asking an expert directly at the open redevelopment consulting desk, I got clear answers to my questions right away, and it made so much more sense. Especially with redevelopment, residents often need to align their opinions with each other. I realized how important it is to know the facts before talking about it. I hope residents can keep dropping by without hesitation whenever they have questions.

KBS National Singing Contest — Dongjak-gu edition

Dongjak Traditional Culture Fair (tied to King Jeongjo's royal procession)

9th Downtown Sea Festival

Dongjak Circus Day

Dongjak Bread Town Festival

Noryangjin 1-dong Nodeulnaru Festival

Dongjak Residents' Harmony Sports Day

2026 Dongjak-gu Job Fair

Booth line-up in the meeting room and terrace may change

Open redevelopment consulting desk

GS Retail on-foot delivery training recruitment

Tax briefing tailored for residents

Free COVID-19 and influenza vaccination

COVID-19 vaccine injury compensation — special appeal deadline

Dongjak Rehab Fitness Center, cohort 4

Nodeulnaru Park 'Neighborhood Shelter' Now Open

Two new all-season 'neighborhood shelters' have opened at Nodeulnaru Park and Daebang Park, giving residents a place to rest with peace of mind regardless of the season. Each shelter is equipped with heating and cooling units and a green wall for a pleasant environment, along with safety features such as CCTV and fire extinguishers. A barrier-free design that removes the threshold at the entrance also makes them easy to use for wheelchair users and seniors. We hope these will be spaces where any resident can drop in and rest comfortably, without hesitation, even amid the climate crisis.

Noryangjin Fish Market Underpass Gets a Makeover

The underpass at Noryangjin Fish Market, long inconvenient for being dark and having a distinctive odor, is being reborn as a brighter, more pleasant passage through this environmental-improvement project. Inside, an ocean-themed media wall and soft lighting will create a fresher atmosphere, and a new outdoor plaza and canopy will be built near the entrance for nearby residents to rest comfortably. Completion is expected in October — please visit Noryangjin Fish Market more often through the newly refreshed underpass.

Mobile Traffic-Safety Class for Seniors

A mobile 'traffic-safety class for seniors' is being run to help seniors, who are especially vulnerable to traffic accidents, walk safely. In September, a specialist instructor visited Sangdo Eunbit Welfare Center in person and gave about 60 seniors an easy-to-follow briefing on precautions to take while walking amid declining cognitive ability, along with everyday ways to prevent traffic accidents. In October the class continues at the Sangdo 1-dong office. We hope many seniors take interest and join this class, which helps prevent accidents and build safe walking habits through small daily practices.

Open Redevelopment Consulting Desk

An 'open redevelopment consulting desk' is now running on the 1st floor of the Dongjak-gu Office, to help residents understand redevelopment projects easily and pursue them in a well-informed way. Residents inside designated redevelopment zones, and residents in areas not yet designated, can both get advice on whether a project is feasible and what procedures to follow. It runs every Wednesday and Friday, 14:00–16:00, and you can walk in without an appointment. If you've had questions about redevelopment, this is your chance to get them answered. Dongjak-gu will keep listening to residents' voices so that the redevelopment projects they want can move forward faster.

A Healing 'Color Journey' With a Companion

The Sangdo 3-dong office is running a 'healing color journey' program to comfort neighbors whose social contact has dwindled. Participants chose vibrant colors together with a companion to fill in coloring books, gradually opening up feelings they had found hard to share and easing their loneliness and isolation through this time of connection. Going forward, the program will continue with home visits for those who have difficulty getting around. Please keep showing interest and support for Sangdo 3-dong's warm companionship, filled with the neighborhood's caring spirit.

Dokkaebi Kids Market

Sangdo Dokkaebi shopping street and the Seoul Credit Guarantee Foundation jointly held the 'Dokkaebi Kids Market.' The venue was filled with a variety of fun activities to breathe life into a quiet commercial area. A Viking-swing ride, a stilt-walker show and face painting were especially popular with children, and an Onnuri-voucher cash-back event added a nice bonus, leaving both visitors and shopkeepers satisfied. We hope this event becomes a lasting spark that keeps energizing the Sangdo Dokkaebi shopping street.

Chung-Ang University Suicide-Prevention Day Campaign

For Suicide Prevention Day, Chung-Ang University held the 'Sharing Hearts, Protecting Lives' campaign to check in on young people's wellbeing. A range of programs — depression screening and counseling, stress checks, and writing messages of hope — gave young people time to reflect on and care for their own minds. If the weight of study, work or everyday life ever feels too heavy, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Dongjak-gu Mental Health & Welfare Center at 02-820-9540. Dongjak-gu will stand by young people as a steady source of strength.

Meokja Alley Picked for 'Moonlight Night Market' Pilot

Sadang 1-dong's Meokja Alley has been selected as a pilot site for Seoul's 'Moonlight Night Market' project, securing up to KRW 2 billion in funding. As a key commercial district right next to Sadang Station with foot traffic continuing late into the night, the project will improve pedestrian and night-time environments, create a 'Moonlight Sadang Street,' and develop historical and cultural content. Look forward to Sadang 1-dong's Meokja Alley transforming into an attractive district where people keep coming back and staying longer!

Sadang District 17 Union Established

Sadang District 17 (around 63-1 Sadang-dong) has received union-establishment approval, officially kicking off the project. The district is planned to reach up to 23 stories with 856 units in total. This approval, achieved just 22 months after the site was first selected, is drawing particular attention as the fastest record since the fast-track planning program began. As the result of shared effort between the administration and residents, the project is expected to gain even more momentum going forward.

Containing the Spread of Pine Wilt Disease

After a pine tree in Samil Park was confirmed infected with pine wilt disease, Dongjak-gu launched an all-out response to stop it from spreading. The district immediately formed a 'Pine Wilt Disease Local Control Task Force,' quickly chipped the infected tree to block further spread, designated and announced a no-removal zone within a 2km radius, and continues close inspection and ongoing monitoring. To help prevent further spread, we ask for residents' active cooperation, including restrictions on moving pine timber.

Glasses Support for Low-Income Households

A public-private glasses-support program with local opticians was launched for low-income neighbors who had found it hard to afford glasses. Fifty selected basic-livelihood and near-poverty youths and seniors received glasses vouchers worth KRW 50,000–70,000, and by bringing the voucher to a designated optician they could get an eye exam and glasses fitted to their own eyes. We hope that one small pair of glasses not only brightens the view ahead for our neighbors, but also helps them enjoy a more active daily life.

Small-Group Frailty-Prevention Program for Seniors

A 'frailty-prevention health promotion program' was held at the Namhae Onette Apartments senior center. A visiting nurse and an exercise specialist, working in pairs, visited the center in person to check blood pressure and blood sugar and lead exercise tailored to each senior's condition. Ahead of Chuseok, they also gave lifestyle tips for spending a healthy holiday. Dongjak-gu will keep bringing health care close to seniors' everyday lives, so that staying healthy never feels out of reach.

Integrated Care Health-Longevity Center

Seniors concerned about their health can get tailored home health care from the 'Integrated Care Health-Longevity Center.' A 7-member multidisciplinary team — doctors, nurses, dietitians, exercise specialists and dental hygienists — visits in person to comprehensively check health status and provide individually tailored support for medication, nutrition, exercise and oral care. When needed, the team also links residents to welfare and medical resources in the community for integrated management, helping them recover and maintain their health day to day. If you or a neighbor around you needs support, please make active use of this service.

Safe Money School for Young Adults

A special class is coming to help fill a real gap for young adults taking their first steps into society: asset management and real-estate know-how. The Sindaebang 1-dong office will run the 'Safe Money School for Young Adults' twice, on October 12 and 19. The class covers everything from asset-management methods that once felt overwhelming to must-know real-estate basics, packed with content that's genuinely useful in everyday life. Each session takes 18 people, first-come first-served — young adults who want to join can apply through the Sindaebang 1-dong Resident Autonomy Council at 02-820-2807.

'Happy Charge' — Today's Menu Is Chicken

Sindaebang 2-dong is running the 'Happy Charge Project,' actively identifying households in need and delivering chicken-restaurant coupons to 4 households each month. While delivering the coupons, staff check on residents' wellbeing and living conditions, and also follow up with households that haven't used their coupons, to carefully make sure no one who needs help is missed. This project carries extra meaning because it runs on the voluntary support of the Youth Guidance Council, and the whole neighborhood will keep working together so this warm spirit of sharing reaches every corner.

A fantastic feast of fireworks at Noryangjin soccer field

On a cool autumn night on September 5, Dongjak-gu's Noryangjin soccer field was filled with the excitement of residents waiting for fireworks to fill the night sky. While the festival was enjoyed in each person's own way from prime spots across the district — Sayuksin Park, Hyosajeong and more — this reporter visited Noryangjin soccer field with family.

The event was staged around vivid themes from three countries, and it was impossible to look away. In particular, bringing hearty food ahead of time from the nearby Noryangjin Cupbap Street and laying out a mat doubled the festival's fun. Enjoying our own neighborhood's infrastructure without needing to travel far was a big advantage unique to Dongjak-gu residents.

Huge crowds gathered, but thanks to thorough guidance, viewing continued safely and in orderly fashion. Korea's segment, which closed out the finale, was, quite literally, one surprise after another. The grand music and overwhelming fireworks that filled the night sky were more than enough to draw gasps of admiration.

Being able to enjoy such a high-caliber festival comfortably and safely right in our own neighborhood is a real blessing. This festival gave me pride in living in Dongjak-gu, and I'm already looking forward to next year.

Learning together so no small sign is missed

On the morning of September 5, I attended a talk-concert on the theme of 'preventing school and cyber violence.' As it was a timely topic every parent should know about, I joined as a participant with an eager heart.

Even the course title — 'Dongjak-gu Parent Education for Preventing School Cyberbullying' — conveyed the weight of this event. It was arranged jointly by the district office, Dongjak Police Station, the Dongjak-Gwanak Office of Education, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, and the BTF Blue Tree Foundation, all uniting to respond to the increasingly serious problem of school violence.

Ahead of the main event, a participatory pre-event called the 'Blue Elephant Experience Zone with Parents' was held, helping participants look back on their own households and discover concerns for themselves. The main program unpacked school and cyber violence in sequential stages — 'prevention, detection, response, recovery.' Private-sector experts, a school-liaison police officer (SPO), and an attorney gave lectures, closing with an in-depth Q&A that drew a strong response.

Kim Mi-jeong, head of counseling at the BTF Blue Tree Foundation, drew on real counseling cases to point out warning signs of cyberbullying that may appear in children and the role parents should play upon noticing them. Officer Lee Baek-hyeong (SPO) of the Seoul Dongjak Police Station explained early-response measures such as reporting and counseling and the cooperation process among school, home, and police, and presented the risks of smartphones — a key channel for cyberbullying — along with response guidelines. He also stressed the need for a proactive approach that helps offending students reflect and recover.

Finally, attorney Kim Yeong-mi (Sungin Law Firm) stressed that 'wisdom is needed to pursue the victim's recovery and the offender's rehabilitation together, rather than legal punishment alone,' and noted that keeping an eye on prevention and relationship recovery is an important role for parents. Leaving the talk-concert venue, I found myself wishing that more hands-on education like this would be offered more often.

A safer Dongjak — with Dongjak Police: real-case lessons on preventing phone scams

Around 3 p.m. on Aug 14, Dongjak Police's Sangdo substation received an urgent 112 call: 'my family may be a phone-scam victim.' Two officers arrived within a minute and, despite the victim's initial disbelief, persisted until they confirmed KRW 10 million already withdrawn and KRW 60 million more about to be withdrawn — and stopped it. Dongjak Police has MOUs with 15 local financial institutions for on-site response and has received 8 commendations to date.

How to use the Dongjak Kids' Cafés

352nd Dongjak-gu Council Regular Session

The Dongjak-gu Council held its 352nd Regular Session for 18 days, from September 4 to 21, and reviewed major agenda items including the FY2025 settlement and reserve-fund spending approval, the 2026 second supplementary budget, and ordinances.

At the first plenary session on September 4, the council heard the proposal explanation for the 2026 second supplementary budget and processed a request for relevant officials to attend for questioning. That day, members Lee Yeong-su, Oh Seong-min and Park Seung-jun gave five-minute floor speeches presenting views on local issues and the administration's work, urging policy improvements.

Each standing committee reviewed the settlement and supplementary budget for its own departments, and the Budget & Settlement Special Committee (chair Lee Su-hong) comprehensively reviewed the settlement and supplementary budget based on the standing committees' findings. The Budget & Settlement Special Committee, formed last August, handled the 10th council's first such review.

At the second plenary session on September 18, member Choi Mu-geun gave a five-minute floor speech stressing the need to reconnect the careers and experience of people in their 40s and 50s who had retired or closed a business to new jobs. The council then processed a total of 18 agenda items, including the settlement and reserve-fund spending approval, the supplementary budget, ordinances and consents.

This regular session reviewed the year's budget execution through the settlement review, and confirmed the administration's positions and measures on major projects and local issues through questions to the administration.

The Dongjak-gu Council reviewed the FY2025 settlement and reserve-fund spending approval at the 352nd Regular Session. It examined whether the budget was executed according to plan and purpose, and whether there was room for improvement in how projects were carried out. Total revenue settled at about KRW 1.2827 trillion and expenditure at about KRW 1.1628 trillion, a 92.1% general-account execution rate. The council examined execution variances by project and the causes of carry-overs and unspent balances, and reviewed the management of accident-related carry-overs, which grew from the previous year, and of projects that repeatedly leave budget unspent. Of about KRW 20.5 billion in uncollected general-account revenue, about KRW 19.8 billion was non-tax revenue. The council also confirmed the causes of non-collection, the management of long-term arrears, the effectiveness of collection measures, and the adequacy of fund management and project performance indicators. The review findings will be used as basic data for future budget and major-project reviews.

Questions to the administration — 352nd Regular Session

On September 21, the Dongjak-gu Council held the third plenary session of the 352nd Regular Session and put questions to the mayor and relevant officials. A total of six members took part, asking about major issues and countermeasures.

Member Oh Seong-min (Sangdo 3-dong, Daebang-dong) asked about the background, budget, and function and operation plans of the Dongjak Youth Center, and requested that staffing, programs and cooperation with the youth job center be reflected in the relocation schedule and the 2027 plan.

Member Lee Yeong-su (Noryangjin 1·2-dong) asked about relocation costs, usage period, and accessibility related to relocating agencies from the old district office building, and called for reviewing relocation plans and the possibility of a further move for key facilities, and for establishing standards for relocating public facilities.

Member Song Dong-seok (Sangdo 2·4-dong) pointed out cases where commute/business-trip records and vehicle mileage/fuel logs did not match in the duty and vehicle management of affiliated and outsourced agencies, and urged an investigation, follow-up action and the establishment of management standards.

Member Lee Mi-yeon (Heukseok-dong, Sadang 1·2-dong) asked about the feasibility of relocating the Heukseok rainwater pumping station, safety measures for the delay, additional costs, and consultation with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, and urged holding a resident briefing and proceeding with the original schedule to expand the current site.

Member Jeong Yu-na (Sadang 3·4-dong) asked about extending the permit for performance facilities at Dongjak Parking Park, their removal and cost recovery, and the performance of the e-commerce station relative to its budget, and called for establishing performance indicators centered on transactions and sales.

Member Lee Ju-hyeon (Sindaebang 1·2-dong) asked about the background and feasibility of the Dongjak Tower and Nodeul Island cable-car projects, and requested that the projects be reconsidered if feasibility is low, and that the basis for calculating the tower's construction cost and a funding plan be disclosed. With this session of questions to the administration, the 352nd Regular Session concluded its 18-day schedule.

Ordinances close to residents' daily lives

Youth Council-Experience Support Ordinance (member Lee Yeong-su)

The ordinance aims to raise young people's understanding of local self-government and the council's role by giving them the chance to visit the Dongjak-gu Council and experience its work firsthand. It sets out what's needed to support youth council-experience programs, including support plans and operations.

English Education Promotion and Support Ordinance (Vice-Speaker Lee Ju-hyeon)

The ordinance lays a support foundation to ease gaps in access to English education arising from differences in educational environment and financial circumstances, and to raise residents' English communication skills. It covers native-speaker instruction, in-person and remote hands-on programs, support for English books and teaching materials, and the operation of educational facilities.

Partial Amendment on Honoring and Supporting National Merit Recipients (member Song Dong-seok)

The amendment expands support that had focused mainly on allowance payments into the areas of employment and economic independence. It provides national merit recipients with job information, supports education and training to develop vocational skills and strengthen job readiness, and establishes a basis for cooperating with related agencies, organizations and businesses.

Senior Citizen Support Ordinance (member Lee Su-hong)

The ordinance defines Dongjak-gu residents 65 and older as 'senior citizens' with community experience and ability, and lays a foundation for supporting their community activities and social participation. It supports programs such as learning circles, intergenerational activities and instructor training, and allows for a senior-citizen support center to be established.

Child Protection Zone Operation Ordinance (member Na Hyeon-hui)

The ordinance lays a foundation for operating child protection zones to strengthen crime prevention around facilities mainly used by children. It provides for surveys, the placement of protective staff and safety education, and protects children's safety through the installation of CCTV and signage and cooperation with related agencies.

Council members renew their integrity pledge after ethics training

This ethics training was arranged to raise understanding of anti-corruption law and to build and spread a culture of integrity in public service. Conducted by the National Anti-Corruption Training Institute, the training was held under the theme 'preventing conflicts of interest and ensuring fairness.' Starting from the concepts of integrity and corruption, it examined key anti-corruption laws — including the local-council code of conduct, the Anti-Graft Act and the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act — through concrete cases. It also covered matters to watch for in carrying out official duties, including bans on demanding personal services and on abusing official authority, and closed with an integrity pledge ceremony that renewed members' commitment to integrity.

10th council's study groups get to work

On September 18, the Dongjak-gu Council held the first meeting of the Study-Group Operation Review Committee to review the research plans of member study groups that will be active in the 10th council. This formally launched the study-group activity, through which members jointly research issues facing the district administration and uncover policy tasks. A member study group is a body in which members research a shared area of interest regardless of their standing-committee assignment. Depending on its research theme, each group will carry out policy research services, expert consultations, meetings and field visits, seeking policies and institutional improvements Dongjak-gu needs. Each group plans to collect and analyze data on its issues through February 28, 2027, drawing broadly on the views of residents, related agencies and experts. Based on the problems and on-the-ground needs identified during research, members will develop their research themes and work out policy alternatives suited to Dongjak-gu's circumstances. Research findings will be reviewed by the Operation Review Committee and published on the council's website. Members plan to use the research outcomes as material for future council activities, including ordinance enactment and revision and policy proposals.

Study Group on the Approval Authority's Role in Redevelopment — Song Dong-seok (lead), Yang Jeong-hwa, Na Hyeon-hui, Lee Su-hong

This study group was formed to explore the role of the approval authority and administrative support measures to revitalize redevelopment projects. It will examine the roles related agencies should play in the course of redevelopment projects and plans to develop administrative and institutional measures to support their smooth progress.

Study Group on Developing a Youth Council-Experience Program — Lee Yeong-su (lead), Kang Han-ok, Kim Eun-ha, Park Ji-woo, Oh Seong-min

This study group was formed to develop a council-experience program that raises youth participation in the council and understanding of local self-government. It will research experience content and operating methods suited to young people's perspective and plans to produce a manual and other materials for use in an actual program.

We share the precious everyday moments Dongjak-gu residents sent in themselves.

Snap! Happier together in Dongjak — reader stories

Im Ju-hwan (Sangdo-dong)

I went to the 10th Dongjak Youth Symphony concert. It was extra special being a midsummer performance of 'The Nutcracker.' I was amazed at how wonderful the playing was — hard to believe these weren't music majors — and it was impressive watching the sounds of different instruments blend into beautiful harmony. Whenever a familiar melody came on, we got to clap along and enjoy it together, which made it even happier. On a hot summer day, it was a time when music made even my heart feel cool and full!

Kim Gyeong-min (Sangdo-dong)

On a hot summer day, I visited the tomb of Prince Yangnyeong with my mom. She worked as an elementary-school teacher for a long time, so she explains things so well she doesn't need a separate history guide. That day too, sweating the whole way, she explained everything in a fun way. My mom even served as an elementary-school vice principal, but she could no longer stay in the classroom because she chose to care for my grandfather-in-law through his cancer treatment. That situation always felt so unfortunate to me, which made her explanations seem even more admirable.

Yun Eun-hui (Daebang-dong)

While strolling through Daebang Park within Noryangjin Neighborhood Park, I happened upon the Air Force Headquarters memorial tower. This is a historic site where Air Force Headquarters stood for a full 33 years, from 1956 to 1989. Standing before the tower, I suddenly recalled my younger days enlisting as the 343rd class of airmen and serving for 35 months. Those were precious times spent with the resolve to guard our country's skies beneath the blue sky. The years have passed, but that pride remains just the same. I cheer on a strong Air Force, loyal to the nation and standing with its people, as it soars ever higher. Victory!

The 30 September winners were sent their prizes together on Wed, Sep 30.

Event 1! Be a Dongjak reporter

Event 2! Dongjak quiz

Question: What is the slogan behind the 9th administration's vision for Dongjak-gu?

• ① A Brighter Dongjak
• ② A Cooler Dongjak
• ③ A Bigger Dongjak
• ④ A Stronger Dongjak

After taking part in the quiz, please be sure to include your name and contact number. (By October 16)