"I will expand and deepen the paradigm from selective welfare targeting only the socially vulnerable to universal welfare covering all Seoul citizens."
Oh Geum-ran (Democratic Party, Nowon 2) entered the 12th Seoul Metropolitan Council as a re-elected member. After serving as a proportional representation member of the Nowon-gu Council, Oh was elected to the Seoul Metropolitan Council in a 2024 by-election. Over the past two years, she has carried out active legislative work as vice chair of the Health and Welfare Committee.
"Welfare is not an issue for a specific class alone, but a task connected to the lives of all citizens," Oh said. "I will continue legislative work that does not lose the original commitment to the socially vulnerable and connects residents' voices to policy."
Raising a child with developmental disabilities, she directly experienced social prejudice and the inadequacies of the welfare system, which led her to realize the importance of policies that change citizens' lives. Her involvement in various civic and social activities, beginning with a parents' movement for people with disabilities, became the catalyst for entering politics.
The Health and Welfare Committee, which handles the largest share of Seoul's budget, is called a "grunt work" committee among members. With so much to do and so many issues to attend to, meetings often continue late into the night.
"Once again, I will begin the journey for the socially vulnerable." Oh expressed her legislative philosophy for the next four years in this way, reviving her original commitment.
She plans to concentrate her policy capabilities on the socially vulnerable, including people with disabilities, the elderly, and children. She aims to build a system that organically connects programs for each target group and reduces overlap, so that welfare services needed by citizens can be delivered effectively.
"Since health and welfare is the area most closely connected to citizens' lives, I plan to examine budgets and programs even more closely," Oh emphasized. "It should be viewed not as a welfare policy for only some vulnerable groups, but as a universal concept that supports the lives of all citizens."
She also revealed her determination to develop Nowon-gu, her district. She defined it as a "dynamic city" where residential apartments coexist with universities and commercial districts, and where diverse generations and occupational groups blend together, and she took a bright view of Nowon's future.
She summarized the district's key issues as improving the environment of the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail, developing the Gongneung-dong station area, redeveloping the former legal town, expanding parking space, and increasing convenience facilities, and she stated her plan to actively prioritize projects closely tied to residents' daily lives.
"If the past two years were a period for understanding local issues and laying the foundation for projects, now is the time to produce results that residents can feel," Oh emphasized. "Balanced development that reflects the region's characteristics is needed."
She also presented improving the educational environment and expanding youth facilities as key tasks. Noting that local parents have high interest in high school admissions and commuting issues, Oh plans to work on operating school buses and creating a safe commuting environment, and to consult with relevant agencies to expand cultural, sports, and learning spaces for youth.
Oh operates an on-site petition office every Sunday, listening directly to residents' opinions.
Oh, who has made communication with residents a basic principle of her legislative work, explained, "I am focusing on identifying inconveniences in daily life and policy blind spots that are difficult to grasp through administrative data alone, checking them on-site, and connecting them to policy and budget."
Toward Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's administration, she emphasized a balance of "checks and cooperation." She maintained a pragmatic stance of clearly raising her voice against wrong policies and inefficient projects, while actively cooperating regardless of party affiliation on policies that benefit citizens.
"I will be a city councilor who finds answers on the ground, for the development of Gongneung-dong and Nowon-gu as well as for improving the quality of life of Seoul citizens."
Councilor Oh Geum-ran's goals for her second term are clear. Through her pledge to run around on-site herself for the "improvement of Seoul citizens' quality of life," she has completed her preparations to brighten Seoul's welfare policy and Nowon-gu's future..
Oh, who has made communication with residents a basic principle of her legislative work, explained, "I am focusing on identifying inconveniences in daily life and policy blind spots that are difficult to grasp through administrative data alone, checking them on-site, and connecting them to policy and budget."
Toward Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's administration, she emphasized a balance of "checks and cooperation." She maintained a pragmatic stance of clearly raising her voice against wrong policies and inefficient projects, while actively cooperating regardless of party affiliation on policies that benefit citizens.
"I will be a city councilor who finds answers on the ground, for the development of Gongneung-dong and Nowon-gu as well as for improving the quality of life of Seoul citizens."
Councilor Oh Geum-ran's goals for her second term are clear. Through her pledge to run around on-site herself for the "improvement of Seoul citizens' quality of life," she has completed her preparations to brighten Seoul's welfare policy and Nowon-gu's future.
