Breaking the Tradition of Confidentiality... Seoul City Holds First Public New Year Work Report for Citizens (Comprehensive)

'2020 Citizen Work Report' Held
Discussion on 4 Major Priority Projects Among Officials

Opinions to Be Reflected in Policies and Projects
Park Won-soon "Citizens as Mayor, Changing Reporting Method"

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon is delivering a greeting at the 2020 Public Service Report held on the 3rd floor conference room of the new Seoul City Hall building on the 22nd. (Provided by Seoul City)

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] "It is time for Seoul's startup support to grow qualitatively. We need to make it easier for master's and doctoral degree holders who can lead technology and innovation to start businesses, and minimize overlapping support with the private sector. I hope initial support will be further expanded to survive competition with mid-sized and large companies."

"For Seoul to become a global startup role model city, it needs to strengthen capabilities and expand opportunities by quickly nurturing and supplying specialized personnel required in the industrial field. Also, Seoul should propose new cooperation models with other local governments beyond the city."

On the morning of the 22nd, a discussion took place between citizens and Seoul city officials in the large conference room on the 3rd floor of the new Seoul City Hall. Citizens seated in four sections raised their hands to ask questions directly. This forum was an occasion for Seoul to report its work to citizens. Breaking the previous practice of holding such meetings privately, Seoul disclosed the work report to the public for the first time. It was also broadcast live via YouTube and Live Seoul. The discussion topics were the four major priority projects Seoul will pursue this year (innovation startups, youth start, newlywed housing, and elementary care centers). Sequential discussions of 20 minutes each were held on each topic.

The work report is part of the internal review process to set Seoul's policy direction for the year and establish plans and goals. While the attendance of Mayor Park Won-soon, heads of offices, bureaus, and related investment and foundation institutions was as usual, about 80 new participants joined, including honorary mayors, citizens related to Seoul's policies, center directors, and civic groups.

During the discussion on youth policies, citizens suggested, "Please expand the mini gap year program overseas," and "There is also a need to present perspectives on how to catch fish. We hope you consider the universal rights that Seoul youth should have." Moon Ji-hye, an operating committee member of the Seoul Youth Citizens' Council, said, "I hope policies that have been neglected so far among youth policies will be addressed."

An elementary school honorary mayor also attended and asked, "I am curious whether our neighborhood care center can be used during the gaps between different academies, and I want to know about plans to increase care teachers during peak times."

Before the forum, Mayor Park announced the policy direction and goals to realize a 'fair starting line' through the four major priority projects. Mayor Park said, "When I first became mayor, I adopted the slogan and administrative philosophy that 'citizens are the mayor,' and accordingly changed the New Year's work report method to one where citizens listen and discuss together. Let us put our heads together, think seriously, create alternatives, and resolve to push forward strongly."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.