Gwangju Seo-gu Selected as 'Best Institution' in Price Stability Management Evaluation

Published 15 Dec.2022 11:25(KST)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho] Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Kim I-gang) announced on the 15th that it was selected as the only top-performing local government among the five autonomous districts in Gwangju in the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s ‘2022 National Local Price Stability Management Performance Evaluation,’ securing a special grant of 100 million KRW as an incentive.

In this evaluation conducted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety targeting 243 special/metropolitan cities, provinces, autonomous districts, and city/districts nationwide, Seo-gu received a high score in categories such as the increase rate of local public utility fees and personal service fees, local price stability management performance, and special policies, earning a Grade A among 74 autonomous districts nationwide (7 districts in total).

Notably, in this evaluation, Seo-gu drew attention for actively supporting small business owners through measures such as freezing public utility fees (volume-based waste bag fees), on-site price visits by agency heads and senior officials, operating special guarantee and Hope Guide projects for small merchants, as well as promoting traditional market revitalization by organizing ‘shopping events,’ encouraging the purchase of Onnuri gift certificates, and providing publicity and incentives for Good Price Stores, among various local price stabilization policies.

Kim I-gang, Mayor of Seo-gu, said, “I believe that local prices can be stabilized when price stabilization policies are carried out with active participation and interest from citizens,” adding, “We will establish an organic cooperation system with price-related institutions and efficiently implement price stabilization measures tailored to the characteristics of our region, such as revitalizing Good Price Stores.”