Gwangju Hwangryonggang Jangnok Wetland Public Discussion 'Overcoming Failure' Contest Selected as Excellent Case

Gwangsan-gu Wins Encouragement Award in 'Republic of Korea Failure Overcoming Case' Contest

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Gwangsan-gu's public discussion efforts to designate Hwangryonggang Jangnok Wetland in Gwangju Metropolitan City as a national wetland protection area have been recognized as an excellent case of overcoming failure.

On the 31st, Gwangsan-gu announced that the case of 'Designation of Jangnok Wetland as a National Wetland Protection Area' was awarded the Encouragement Prize at the '2021 Korea Failure Overcoming Case Contest.'

Hosted by the Korea Public Policy Evaluation Association, this contest was held to improve the negative perception of failure and create social consensus by dividing into the private sector and the public sector, which includes central government ministries, metropolitan and basic local governments, and public institutions, thereby spreading a culture of re-challenge.

According to a detailed survey by the Ministry of Environment's National Wetland Center in 2018, Jangnok Wetland was evaluated as an urban wetland with excellent biodiversity and a high need for management and conservation.

Although the designation as a national wetland protection area was pursued, difficulties arose due to conflicting interests between regional development and environmental conservation.

To resolve this, the district actively engaged in public discussions by operating a working committee and holding resident forums together with the Ministry of Environment and Gwangju Metropolitan City. After a fierce deliberation process, a public opinion survey conducted in December 2019 resulted in 85.8% approval, achieving resident consensus, and finally, in December of last year, Hwangryonggang Jangnok Wetland was designated as a national wetland protection area.

Kim Samho, Mayor of Gwangsan-gu, said, “The designation of Jangnok Wetland as a national wetland protection area is a model case where Gwangsan-gu played a mediating role to bring residents' concerns into a public discussion forum and mediate conflicts.” He added, “Going forward, Gwangsan-gu will continue to overcome challenges through democratic conflict resolution with residents without fearing failure.”

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