Kim Ikang, Mayor-elect of Gwangju Seo-gu Office, Holds Meeting with Heads of 18 Administrative Neighborhoods

"Improving Residents' Quality of Life and Achieving Complete Resident Autonomy"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho] Kim Ikang, the mayor-elect of Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, held a meeting with the heads of 18 administrative neighborhoods, the frontline of local autonomy, to communicate.

According to the transition committee for the 8th term of the elected mayor of Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City on the 28th, at the meeting held the previous day, Mayor-elect Kim expressed his intention to carry on the policy of the "Village Government," a key project in the field of local autonomy during the 7th term, into the 8th term to realize "complete resident autonomy that improves the quality of life of Seo-gu residents."

He also explained that the overall administration centered on the district office would be transformed into a village- and field-centered system, establishing Seo-gu residents as the main agents of administrative participation.

At this meeting, the neighborhood heads openly shared their candid opinions on the functions and roles of the neighborhoods they directly experienced and felt, the current status of resident autonomy, cooperation with the district office, and various difficulties.

Key department heads from Seo-gu Office attended to listen to the neighborhood heads' field opinions and jointly sought efficient improvement directions regarding personnel allocation, budget support, and task transfers in the neighborhoods.

Mayor-elect Kim said, "Until now, the district office functioned as a control tower, instructing and supervising tasks in each neighborhood, but from now on, the center of administration will shift to the village, which is closely connected to residents' lives, and the administrative mindset must first consider how to support the field." He added, "The color and culture of a village will change depending on the leadership demonstrated by the neighborhood heads."

Chairman of the transition committee Kim Jae-cheol stated, "I hope that through the establishment of the correct values regarding grassroots autonomy starting from Seo-gu, the realization of village government and resident autonomy will be achieved." He emphasized, "Above all, the district office, villages, public officials, and residents must directly communicate and cooperate to create a successful model together."

Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho sdhs6751@asiae.co.kr

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