Yongsan-gu Activates Proposals from Citizens and Public Officials... Prize Money Up to 1 Million Won

Creative Ideas Contributing to District Development... All Areas of District Administration Eligible... Year-Round Online Submission via District Website, Offline Submission Also Accepted

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yongsan-gu (District Mayor Seong Jang-hyun) has doubled the reward for citizen and public official proposals from the previous maximum of 500,000 KRW to 1,000,000 KRW.

For the first time, the executing public officials will also be awarded.

This is to increase citizen participation in district administration and contribute to the realization of creative and proactive administration.

A proposal refers to a creative idea that can contribute to the development of the district. All areas of work implemented by the district, including administrative systems, budget savings, local economy, resident welfare, culture, environment, housing, urban maintenance, parks, safety, and transportation, are eligible for proposals.

Any citizen or public official interested in district administration can participate in proposals year-round. Proposals can be submitted by writing and submitting a proposal form on the district website (www.yongsan.go.kr) under the Citizen Participation section ‘Idea Bank’ or on the National E-People website (www.epeople.go.kr).

Offline submissions are also possible. A reception desk is operated at the local community service centers. Proposal forms can also be sent to the Planning and Budget Division contact (☎2199-6443, FAX:2199-5540). The proposal form can be downloaded from the ‘Idea Bank’ notice section.

The proposal must include detailed descriptions of the current situation and problems, improvement plans, and expected effects. If necessary, a proposal explanation document, expense explanation document, and budget-saving calculation statement can be attached.

A district official stated, “To activate proposals, this year we will accept even ideas that are not very specific as proposals to the greatest extent possible,” adding, “However, simple requests or complaints do not qualify as proposals.”

The district forwards received proposals to the relevant departments to examine whether they can be implemented (adopted). The proposer is immediately informed of the adoption status, and at the end of the year, a judging committee is held to select excellent proposals and award prizes: Grand Prize (1,000,000 KRW × 3 people), Excellence Prize (700,000 KRW × 6 people), and Encouragement Prize (500,000 KRW × 9 people).

Public officials responsible for adopting and executing proposals will also be rewarded at the end of the year. Based on performance, winners will be selected for Grand Prize (700,000 KRW × 1 person), Excellence Prize (500,000 KRW × 2 people), and Encouragement Prize (300,000 KRW × 3 people), receiving certificates and rewards.

Additionally, to promote creative administration, this year the district will increase the number of benchmarking visits to other local governments’ best practices from one to two or more per department (dong) and reflect these in next year’s business plans by August. The time spent on benchmarking (field visits) will be recognized as ‘continuous learning hours’ required for employee promotion.

At the end of the year, a creative administration performance presentation will be held. The creative administration achievements implemented by all departments (dongs) will be shared, and the best department (dong) will receive a maximum prize of 1,000,000 KRW.

Seong Jang-hyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “We will accept proposals ranging from small ideas to improve daily inconveniences to groundbreaking policies that can change district administration,” and added, “We hope for the active interest and participation of residents and staff.”

Planning and Budget Division (☎2199-6443)