Ruling party candidate says she will repay W4tr of city debts by 2014
While the liberal bloc gathered to select a unified mayoral candidate on Monday, the Grand National Party’s Na Kyung-won focused on promoting policy, especially in districts where the ruling party’s support runs low.
She pledged to bridge the economic and cultural gap between the poor northern and wealthy southern districts in Seoul, especially in terms of housing.
“I will consider easing reconstruction conditions for apartments in poor districts or old housings without earthquake-resistant facilities,” said Na on her visit to a residential area in Geumcheon.
“Northern districts, despite the high concentration of flats where low-income people live, are short on welfare facilities and security measures.”
She also promised to keep track of districts where the socially underprivileged reside and expand welfare investment in the areas.
Na then attended an on-the-spot meeting with taxi drivers, whose requests included the reduction of subway operating hours and nighttime access to central bus lanes.
“All suggestions will be reviewed, especially access to bus lanes in late-night hours,” Na said.
The ruling party candidate also visited a trail on Mount Gwanak to greet citizens and then a traditional market in the neighborhood to check on the prices of daily goods.
Through her series of welfare policy pledges, conservative Na showed a considerable shift from her previous stance in a bid to differentiate herself from former Mayor Oh Se-hoon.
“Seoul city’s debt rose by 7.9 trillion won ($6.7 billion) fro 2006 to 2010, during which Oh took the mayoral post,” Na said on Sunday.
“I plan to repay 4 trillion won at a minimum by 2014 and halve the debt portion increased during the period.”
She also vowed to scale down costly construction plans, writing off some of the projects initiated by Oh.
“All ongoing projects will be reviewed from scratch,” she said.
Na previously stepped out in support of Oh during the free school meals plebiscite debates and was considered a poor successor to the mayorship by some GNP lawmakers as a result.
She also claimed that the city should expand its welfare programs such as childcare and education support, backpedalling from previous denunciation of free meals.
