Communication with Residents Leads to Policy... Yoo Sunghoon, the "Alley Mayor"

"Hello, this is Yoo Sunghoon." On September 15, Yoo Sunghoon, the mayor of Geumcheon District, visited the archery range at the foot of the mountain in Siheung-dong, Geumcheon District, Seoul. He waved to residents who were exercising and approached them. This visit was part of the on-site campaign, "A Walk Around the Neighborhood with the Alley Mayor," which began on September 3 ahead of Chuseok.

Yoo Sunghoon, mayor of Geumcheon District (center), is talking with residents at the archery range located at the foot of a mountain in Siheung-dong on the 15th. Provided by Geumcheon District.

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On this day, Mayor Yoo met with around 20 residents who were exercising. When residents pointed out, "Because there is no roof, we have to stop exercising when it rains. The rainwater erodes the ground, causing safety issues," he responded, "We will support residents so that you can make good use of this outdoor gym in nature." Afterward, Mayor Yoo visited the home of an elderly resident living alone.

Since taking office as a first-term mayor in 2019, Mayor Yoo has emphasized on-site administration. Starting with "Conversations with Residents, Asking Residents about District Administration," he continued with "The Alley Mayor Shines in the Neighborhood" in 2020-2021, and "Communicating with Residents On-Site" in 2022. Since 2023, he has been holding these on-site meetings twice a year, at the beginning of the year and around Chuseok, to listen to residents' opinions. Over the past seven years, he has continued on-site communication more than 100 times, earning him the nickname "Alley Mayor."

Suggestions raised through these communications have been turned into policies. In 2021, the district accepted a resident suggestion regarding paid parking at the local Big Market and, after discussions with Big Market, opened 40 parking spaces for residents. In 2023, due to noise complaints, the outdoor performance stage at Geumbit Park was difficult to use, so it was demolished and redeveloped, reopening in March this year as the Maelgeunnuri Small Library and Geumbit Fitness Center.

At Anyangcheon, new facilities such as a loess walking path, a dog playground, and a rose garden were created at residents' request. Resident opinions on the renovation of Geumcheon-gu Office Station are currently being addressed through a feasibility study and planning services for a complex development, with the district aiming to begin construction in 2027.

Mayor Yoo stated, "It is very important for a local government head, who meets residents on the front lines, to listen to what they have to say," adding, "I will continue to work hard to communicate with residents."

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