Hanam City Council Launches Three Research Groups to Study History, Transportation, and Animal Policies

Hanam City Council Holds '2025 Council Member Research Group Launch Ceremony'
Research Activities Including Expert Consultations and Field Surveys to Continue Until Year-End
Chairperson Keum Kwangyeon: "Actively Reflecting Research Outcomes in Various Fields of Legislation and Municipal Administration"

The Hanam City Council in Gyeonggi Province (Chairperson: Keum Kwangyeon) is launching a variety of policy research initiatives focused on history, animals, and transportation in preparation for the future era when the city’s population is expected to reach 500,000.

Hanam City Council members are taking a commemorative photo after completing the '2025 Council Member Research Group Launch Ceremony' on the 21st. Photo by Hanam City Council

On May 21, the Hanam City Council announced that it held the '2025 Council Member Research Group Launch Ceremony' in the small conference room on the first floor of the council building, and that three research groups are now beginning full-scale policy research activities.

The launch ceremony included the introduction of the research groups, member introductions, a Q&A session, and an open discussion. There was also a discussion on the direction of activities and key research topics for each group.

Previously, based on the 'Hanam City Council Member Research Group Formation and Operation Ordinance,' the council convened the 2025 Research Group Operation Review Committee to review and approve the registration and research activity plans of council member research groups active this year.

Hanam City is currently experiencing a rapid population increase due to the development of four new towns: Misa, Wirye, Gam-il, and Gyosan. This has created a need for efficient and strategic administrative services. With an average age of 40.9, Hanam is a young city, and comprehensive policy responses are required across the entire administrative organization.

Accordingly, the city council has formed research groups focusing on urgent local issues, such as the preservation of cultural heritage and establishment of regional identity, improvement of the transportation system and safety facilities, and welfare policies for companion animals.

The three research groups launched this year are: 'Exploring the Historical Identity of Hanam City' (led by Choi Hoonjong), 'Companion Animal Welfare Policy Research Group' (led by Jung Hyeyoung), and 'Research Group for Improvement of Hanam City Transportation System' (led by Keum Kwangyeon).

Until December, the three research groups will conduct substantial research activities, including data collection and fact-finding surveys, expert consultations, and meetings with civil society and related organizations. Based on their research findings, they plan to make policy proposals and utilize the results in various fields of legislative and municipal administration.

'Exploring the Historical Identity of Hanam City' is led by Choi Hoonjong, with members Park Sunmi, Lim Heedo, Kang Seongsam, Oh Seungcheol, and Oh Jiyeon participating. They plan to investigate Hanam’s historical documents and heritage sites, collaborate with experts, and analyze best practices from other regions in order to propose feasible policies for establishing regional identity.

The 'Companion Animal Welfare Policy Research Group' is led by Jung Hyeyoung, with Jung Byungyong, Kang Seongsam, and Oh Seungcheol as members. Their focus will be on researching policy and legislative measures to resolve the issue of stray animals and to build a community where humans and companion animals can coexist.

The 'Research Group for Improvement of Hanam City Transportation System' is led by Chairperson Keum Kwangyeon, with Lim Heedo and Park Jinhui serving as vice-chairs. The group plans to conduct a comprehensive analysis of Hanam’s traffic flow and safety facilities, and to develop transportation policy improvement measures by comparing domestic and international best practices.

Each research group aims to produce policy proposals by December through fact-finding surveys, expert consultations, citizen meetings, and field visits to relevant sites. These proposals will be promoted for adoption in municipal and legislative activities.

Chairperson Keum Kwangyeon stated, "I ask everyone to ensure the thorough and effective operation of the council member research groups again this year. I also urge you to develop a variety of policies to resolve local issues in Hanam through active research, and to strive to propose policies to the executive branch and actively reflect them in municipal administration through the enactment and revision of ordinances based on future research outcomes."

Meanwhile, according to the 'Hanam City Council Member Research Group Formation and Operation Ordinance,' council member research groups are composed of at least three members per group, regardless of their affiliation with special committees, for the purpose of legislative or policy research and development in specific fields. Each council member may join up to two research groups.

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