Ombudsman as Mediator Plays Key Role in Resolving Complaints in Dongjak-gu

Investigating Complaints from Residents' Perspective, Protecting Residents' Rights from Illegal and Unfair Administrative Actions

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Dongjak-gu (Mayor Changwoo Lee) operates the ‘2022 Dongjak-gu Ombudsman’ to resolve residents' grievances and protect their rights.

First implemented in 2019 and currently in its fourth year, the ‘Dongjak-gu Ombudsman’ consists of two lawyers and two architects. It investigates residents' grievance complaints from their perspective and protects residents' rights from illegal or unfair administrative actions.

Among grievance complaints received through various channels such as the National Sinmungo and Seoul City Response Center, cases requiring mediation are identified. Last year, a total of 25 complaints were handled.

Major activities include meeting with related departments, construction managers, and supervisors to establish noise reduction measures for complaints about noise from urban residential housing construction, and actively working to resolve residents' inconveniences by seeking solutions to damages caused by building demolitions together with complainants.

Through professional and proactive ombudsman operations, Dongjak-gu was selected as an excellent institution in the comprehensive evaluation of civil complaint services for two consecutive years. In particular, last year, the ombudsman activities received the highest grade, Grade A, in the grievance complaint handling category, effectively fulfilling the role of Dongjak-gu’s grievance complaint resolver.

Also, on the 25th, at the 10th National Integrity Day hosted by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, Chief Ombudsman Jupil Choi, who is actively working in the district, was selected as an ‘Outstanding Contributor to Ombudsman Operations’ and received a presidential citation.

Based on the know-how of handling grievance complaints, the district is expected to greatly contribute to improving residents' satisfaction and trust in administrative services through active departmental consultation and expressing opinions on administrative system improvements.

In September, the ‘Mobile National Sinmungo’ hosted by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission is scheduled to visit Dongjak-gu residents. Specialized investigators from various fields will visit the district office to listen directly to residents' inconveniences and provide consultations. Simple issues will be resolved on-site, while cases requiring investigation will be received by the Dongjak-gu Ombudsman, who will seek solutions through in-depth investigations and coordination with relevant agencies.

Residents with daily life grievances can submit their application reasons to the ombudsman within the Audit Officer’s office. For more details, inquiries can be made to the Audit Officer.

Audit Officer Jaecheon Yoo said, “I hope that the operation of the ombudsman will resolve residents' grievances and inconveniences and lead to system improvements,” adding, “We will continue to listen carefully to even the smallest voices of residents and carry out fair and objective administration.”

Additionally, to realize a public service culture that does not settle for existing methods, the district plans to implement ▲ the Active Administration Resident Application System ▲ hold Active Administration Boom-up Performances and Talk Concerts, and select outstanding public officials who have worked hard on-site.

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