Heo Seok, Mayor of Suncheon, to Hear Citizens' Voices Directly... Operating Hangtong (??)

Directly Confirming and Resolving Various Opinions from Everyday Life Settings

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Suncheon City (Mayor Heo Seok) announced that it will primarily operate the citizen love (愛) suggestion box called ‘Hangtong (??)’, where the mayor directly listens to the diverse voices of citizens, from May 18 to the end of August.

Since the beginning of the 7th term of the elected government, Suncheon City has operated undercover inspectors, abuse report boxes, and grievance handling boxes to hear various opinions from citizens. However, based on Mayor Heo Seok’s proposal that “the best way is for the mayor to listen directly on site,” it decided to operate ‘Hangtong (??)’.

‘Hangtong (??)’ is a system derived from a bamboo tube installed in government offices during the Joseon Dynasty, allowing commoners to directly convey their opinions to the local magistrate.

Suncheon City plans to use ‘Hangtong (??)’ to diversify communication methods with citizens and utilize it as a direct communication channel to collect citizens’ suggestions, complaints, proposals, grievances, compliments, and other opinions.

‘Hangtong’ will circulate through towns and townships, being placed for three days from Monday to Wednesday each week and collected on Thursday. The key to the Hangtong is kept directly by Mayor Heo Seok, so no one else can see it. The mayor personally opens it, reviews the contents, and responds accordingly.

Mayor Heo Seok of Suncheon said, “The Hangtong system is a traditional system operated by our ancestors to ensure that people are not wronged or marginalized,” and added, “I hope it becomes a small stepping stone in creating a new Suncheon where all citizens enjoy fair and equitable happiness,” urging citizens to participate.

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