Seocho-gu, Secret to Winning the Grand Prize at the 2nd Korea Cultural Value Awards?

Awarded the Grand Prize, the Highest Honor, Among 226 Local Governments Nationwide in the Cultural Sector Evaluation of the 7th Local Government Term Pledge Projects Organized by the Korea Cultural Value Research Association

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seocho-gu (Mayor Jo Eun-hee) announced that it won the grand prize, the highest award, among 226 basic local governments at the ‘2nd Korean Cultural Value Awards’ hosted by the Korea Cultural Value Research Association (Chairman Kim Myung-gon, former Minister of Culture and Tourism).

This award was established with the purpose of discovering and spreading excellent cultural policies. The Korea Cultural Value Research Association evaluated the policy development and implementation of cultural projects pledged by the heads of 17 metropolitan local governments and 226 basic local governments nationwide during the 7th local government term, ultimately selecting 33 outstanding local governments.

The evaluation was conducted through a two-step process: first, expert review in the relevant fields on three categories?△organizational capability, △project characteristics, and △project performance?and second, a review by the evaluation committee.

So far, the district has made various efforts to build high-quality cultural infrastructure and revitalize local culture. These include the designation of the nation’s first music culture district, which brings together Korea’s representative cultural and artistic infrastructures such as the Seoul Arts Center, the National Gugak Center, and the Korea National University of Arts; promotion of building one library per zone; creation of Neutinamu Shelter, a new concept cultural space for seniors; and Urban Canvas, which provides experiential spaces in daily life using AR and moving lights, laying the foundation for residents to enjoy high-quality culture close to their neighborhoods.

Furthermore, the district has implemented pioneering cultural policies as the first local government to promote an inclusive community. It established the nation’s first One-Person Household Support Center and operated seven types of services including the Single Single Culture Class. It also planned and promoted special cultural policies within the region, such as installing a Smart IT Experience Center and providing kiosk education to help seniors easily access culture through IT, and advancing the Smart Senior Project.

As part of efforts to revive small neighborhood bookstores, Seocho-gu was the first local government to introduce the Book Payback Service, which fully refunds the purchase amount if books bought at bookstores are returned within three weeks, and even completed patent registration for this service.

In addition, the district has meticulously managed various cultural and artistic support policies such as the ‘Seoripul Festival,’ a Korean-style Edinburgh Festival; the ‘One Person One Instrument Project,’ which instills cultural DNA by enabling children to play musical instruments; and the ‘Youth Culture Project Support,’ which provides opportunities for young artists to realize their dreams.

The award ceremony is scheduled to be held on the 25th at the National Museum of Korea with related organizations in attendance.

Jo Eun-hee, Mayor of Seocho-gu, said, “The 21st century of digital civilization is not the century of technology but the century of art. We will continue to develop various cultural projects befitting the dignity of Seocho as a city of culture and arts to create an attractive city that draws people’s footsteps.”

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