Kim Ikang, Gwangju Seogu District Mayor, Introduces Village BI and Cheonwon Guksi at Policy Conference

Published 20 Sep.2023 15:10(KST)

Kim Ikang, Mayor of Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, introduced Seo-gu’s unique branding strategy ‘Village BI’ and the ‘Cheonwon Guksi’ policy at the Chamjoeun Local Government Council Policy Conference held on the 20th in the Gwangju Metropolitan City Council’s main conference room.

According to Seo-gu on the day, the Chamjoeun Local Government Council holds an annual policy conference to share and spread good policies by promoting policy exchanges among local governments.

Kim Ikang, head of Gwangju Seo-gu Office, is introducing Seo-gu's unique branding strategy 'Village BI' and the 'Cheonwon Guksi' policy at the Chamjoheun Local Government Council policy conference.
[Photo by Seo-gu]

This conference was a southern region event held for members of the Gwangju Metropolitan City and Jeollanam-do regional councils, where the heads of seven local governments including Dong-gu, Nam-gu, Buk-gu in Gwangju, and Hwasun-gun, Jangseong-gun, Jangheung-gun in Jeonnam presented excellent policies from their respective local governments.

Mayor Kim introduced the ‘realization of distinctive village halls (聽) using Village BI (Brand Identity).’

He continued, “Seo-gu discovered Village BIs that reflect the unique characteristics, history, and cultural values of each neighborhood and turned them into new driving forces for regional development. In particular, through establishing an operational system linking four regional hubs?‘Living Zone Together,’ ‘Growing Living Zone,’ ‘Livable Living Zone,’ and ‘Happy Living Zone’?each connected with their respective BIs, we have built a sustainable foundation for village government.”

Seo-gu has been leading village-specialized development and resident participation by consecutively being selected for central government public projects linked to Village BI, such as ▲Geumho 1-dong’s ‘Neighborhood Commercial Area Development Support Public Project,’ ▲Dongcheon-dong’s ‘Reading Academy Public Project,’ and ▲Yang 3-dong’s ‘Local Branding Activation Public Project.’

Mayor Kim introduced Seo-gu’s core brand policy centered on the ‘Cheonwon Guksi’ project, which means ‘Happiness for 1,000 won.’

Cheonwon Guksi guarantees a healthy and stable old age for seniors by creating more than 40 senior jobs annually and contributes to spreading a culture of sharing by selling locally produced wheat noodles at 1,000 won per bowl amid difficult circumstances such as high inflation and high interest rates.

Additionally, it was selected in the 2024 Senior Job Market-Type Business Contest hosted by the Korea Senior Human Resources Development Institute, and continuous donations have been made by many organizations including Gwangju Shinsegae, Saemaeul Geumgo, and Mudeung Church, earning high praise from residents.

In his policy presentation, Mayor Kim expressed strong determination, stating, “We will create new regional momentum by advancing projects through a distinctive branding strategy for the construction of a united and outstanding Seo-gu.”

Meanwhile, Seo-gu recently achieved recognition for these efforts by winning the Excellence Award in the Institutional Policy category at the 2022 Resident Autonomy Expo and receiving two awards?the only comprehensive grand prize among 226 local governments and the Resident Autonomy category grand prize?at the 2023 Korea Local Autonomy Management Awards.