Kim Sooyoung of Gwangju Seo-gu Council Calls for Minimizing Ineligible Cases in Participatory Budgeting Projects

Request for Realization of Resident-Centered Autonomy

On July 25, Kim Sooyoung, a member of the Gwangju Seo-gu Council, delivered a 'five-minute free speech' during the 332nd extraordinary session, addressing the topic of minimizing the occurrence of ineligible cases in village agenda projects and participatory budgeting projects.

Assemblyman Suyeong Kim. Provided by Assemblyman Suyeong Kim

Before her remarks, Kim expressed her gratitude by saying, "I would like to thank the staff of the council secretariat and Seo-gu District Office who worked hard for flood recovery."

She continued, "In both 2023 and 2024, the rate of participatory budgeting and project feasibility was less than 50%," and pointed out, "For village agenda projects and participatory budgeting projects, where residents propose and solve local issues together, to take root, the process must not be merely procedural. Sufficient prior consultation among villages, residents, and the district office must take place."

She further emphasized, "There are repeated cases where some projects are deemed 'ineligible' due to lack of feasibility or insufficient administrative consultation. This undermines residents' willingness to participate and erodes trust in resident autonomy."

Kim added, "True resident autonomy means residents must be at the center from the beginning to the end of policy. Seo-gu District Office should move toward a system where planning and implementation are carried out together with residents, rather than being led by the administration."

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