Seodaemun-gu, Amendment to Traffic Safety Ordinance Reflecting Children's Voices

Partial Amendment to the 'Seoul Special City Seodaemun-gu Children's School Route Traffic Safety Ordinance'... First Case of Ordinance Revision Reflecting Children's Opinions in Seodaemun-gu... Establishing Basis for Recruiting and Operating Traffic Safety Instructors

A child participation committee member from Seodaemun-gu is monitoring the area around the construction site.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) recently partially amended the "Ordinance for Traffic Safety on Children's School Routes in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul" at the district council plenary session, reflecting the opinions of children.

This amendment originated from the activities of the "2nd Seodaemun-gu Child Participation Committee," composed of 52 children aged 10 to 13 and 10 mentors.

The committee conducted field monitoring, interviews, and surveys from August to November this year under the theme of "Creating Safe School Routes."

Through this, they identified the need for ▲ restricting construction around school routes during school commute times ▲ prohibiting parking and strengthening enforcement in child protection zones ▲ securing children's school routes and mandating submission of pedestrian safety measures in urban redevelopment plans ▲ supporting the activities of traffic safety instructors.

This ordinance amendment is a case where the activities and opinions of the child participation committee led to actual policy changes. A district official stated that this is the first time Seodaemun-gu has amended an ordinance reflecting children's opinions.

Looking at the amendment details, Article 8 (Traffic Guidance for Children Going to and from School) Paragraph 2 was newly established to provide a basis for recruiting and operating "traffic safety instructors" who protect children from various dangers during school commute times.

Also, Article 9 (Vehicle Control in Child Protection Zones) Paragraph 2 was newly added to allow the district mayor to request the chief of the local police station to control vehicles on school routes with high traffic accident risks during times when children frequently pass.

Furthermore, Article 10 (Management of Construction Sites in Child Protection Zones) Paragraph 2, Item 4 was amended to include "matters concerning construction during school commute times" in the school route safety management plan or construction specifications when construction is carried out within child protection zones.

This ordinance amendment is evaluated as meaningful in terms of "expanding the age range of children participating in district administration" and "promoting children's participation rights."

Unlike most child participation bodies operated by middle and high school students, Seodaemun-gu has been organizing and operating a "Child Participation Committee" composed solely of elementary school students separately from the "Youth Participation Committee" since last year.

Moreover, while activities of child participation bodies in the government and local governments mainly remain one-time events conveying opinions to duty bearers, this ordinance amendment is a case where children's participation rights have resulted in substantial policy changes.

One child participation committee member said, "Thank you for reflecting the actual survey results in the ordinance amendment proposal. Large trucks and excavators passing through school routes are very threatening, so I hope proper safety measures will be prepared."

Moon Seok-jin, mayor of Seodaemun-gu, said, "I am grateful to the children who proposed excellent and vivid opinions that adults had not thought of, and I will make further efforts to identify and resolve factors threatening children's safety."

He also stated, "We will continue to strive to ensure that children's voices are practically reflected in policies."

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