Goyangseok, Chairman of Gwangjin-gu Council, Receives Local Legislative Service Award

Selected for Contributions to Establishing a Trusted Council Award and Advancing Local Autonomy Development

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Goyang-seok, the chairman of the 8th Gwangjin-gu Council's first half term, received the Local Legislative Service Award on the afternoon of the 19th at the National Association of Chairpersons of City, County, and Autonomous District Councils.

The Local Legislative Service Award, given to council members who have led community development and contributed to the advancement of local autonomy through exemplary legislative activities among all basic council members nationwide, was awarded to a total of 22 members proportionally by city and province. Notably, in Seoul, 3 members out of 25 autonomous districts received this honor.

Hosted by the Local Council Development Institute, this year marked the 12th Local Legislative Service Award ceremony.

The 8th Gwangjin-gu Council, led by Chairman Goyang-seok, has been at the forefront among other autonomous districts by introducing live internet broadcasts to transparently disclose all council proceedings to residents. They have actively invited diverse groups from various sectors, including people with disabilities and children, to the council to hear voices from the field, properly convey residents' opinions to the executive branch, and play a bridging role representing public will.

Furthermore, focusing on strengthening the expertise of the 8th council, which includes 9 first-term members out of 14, they conducted 18 training sessions and workshops throughout 2019 to enhance members' capabilities. This enabled them to propose alternatives to local issues and policies for district development, fulfilling the council's fundamental role in improving residents' welfare.

In addition, emphasizing that communication with residents is as important as active legislative activities, they lowered the council's barriers by inviting about 1,000 elementary, middle, and high school students and residents to raise awareness of the council's necessity. They also expanded communication by launching SNS channels and holding legislative photo exhibitions.

They contributed to increasing children's understanding of local autonomy and the council by producing comic booklets and animated promotional videos tailored to the perspectives of children and adolescents. To expand communication externally as well as internally, the Gwangjin-gu Council signed a sisterhood agreement with the Muju County Council, the first such agreement since its establishment, receiving praise for significantly contributing to local autonomy through practical legislative exchanges between councils.

Moreover, during the 8th council term, they placed special emphasis on honoring and improving treatment for veterans, leading efforts to enact and revise related ordinances to provide financial support and mental consolation to patriots who sacrificed their youth for the country. They reflected social issues in ordinances to ensure they are incorporated into executive policies.

Chairman Goyang-seok said, “I believe this award was received on behalf of the 14 members of the Gwangjin-gu Council,” adding, “The essence of the council is not merely to monitor and check the executive branch.”

He also expressed his award acceptance remarks, stating, “Together with the district, we will faithfully perform the council's inherent responsibilities and roles based on mutual cooperation and trust to enhance the regional value of Gwangjin-gu so that everyone can coexist.”

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