‘Gwangyang Gamdong Day’ Listening to Citizens' Voices

Published 30 Jan.2024 18:55(KST)

Mayor Jeong Inhwa Orders Legal Review for Establishing Hwanggeum Elementary and Middle Integrated School

On the 29th, Gwangyang City in Jeonnam announced that it held the first ‘Gwangyang Impression Day’ of the new year, chaired by Mayor Jeong In-hwa, to listen to the voices of its citizens.

‘Gwangyang Impression Day’ was established to expand citizens’ opportunities to participate in city administration, providing a space to freely discuss city development plans, grievances, and suggestions, and to collaboratively consider solutions.

[Photo by Gwangyang City]

At this Impression Day, a citizen petition demanding measures related to the establishment of the (tentative name) Hwanggeum Elementary and Middle School Integrated Operation School was received, and eight attendees gathered to consider solutions together.

The (tentative name) Hwanggeum Elementary and Middle School Integrated Operation School is currently undergoing detailed design services by the Provincial Office of Education, aiming to open in September 2026. Construction is planned to begin in October this year and be completed by the first half of 2026.

Currently, within the Hwanggeum Housing District, with residents moving into Prugio since November last year and Posco The Sharp and Halla Vivaldi scheduled to move in this year, elementary students must commute long distances to Goryak Elementary School, making the opening of the (tentative name) Hwanggeum Elementary and Middle School Integrated Operation School urgent.

However, due to the provisional seizure of the school site, it is difficult for the Provincial Office of Education to purchase the school land, raising concerns among current and prospective residents of Hwanggeum District that the school opening might be delayed. They urged for countermeasures through Impression Day.

The attendees appealed that the conflict between the association and the Provincial Office of Education is causing harm to residents, and requested the city to resolve the situation for the happiness of citizens and the public interest.

In response, Mayor Jeong expressed full sympathy for the desperate appeals of current and prospective residents that the opening of the (tentative name) Hwanggeum Elementary and Middle School Integrated Operation School must not be delayed. He stated that while the issue of land purchase is a matter between the private association, which is the contracting party, and the Provincial Office of Education, limiting the city’s authority, the city will do all it can and make every effort.

In particular, Mayor Jeong ordered the relevant departments to seek multifaceted legal advice at the city level and, separate from the Provincial Office of Education’s inquiries, to consult with Jeonnam Province and request inquiries from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Based on the results, he promised to closely cooperate with the association and the Provincial Office of Education to establish the school.

Jeong In-hwa, Mayor of Gwangyang City, said, “We prioritize communication and strive to empathize with citizens’ inconveniences,” adding, “When citizens raise issues, we approach with an open mind and will do our best to resolve even the smallest problems.”

Meanwhile, ‘Gwangyang Impression Day’ is held once a month in the Citizen Reception Room (2nd floor of Gwangyang City Hall), where any citizen can freely discuss opinions about city administration with the mayor (vice mayor, directors), aiming not only to resolve citizens’ grievances but also to explore directions for city development.