[Interview] Cha Hyeon-il, Yeongdeungpo District Mayor: "I Will Create an Open Yeongdeungpo Without Communication Blind Spots"

Last year, the long-standing issue of street vendor regulation on Yeongjung-ro in front of Yeongdeungpo Station, which had persisted for 50 years, was finally resolved without a single conflict through over 100 dialogues and communications with residents and merchants... Sent more than 70,000 text messages in three rounds to district residents, promptly and transparently informing them about COVID-19 developments and response measures

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] “The perspective and voice of the residents are important. They are the greatest driving force to open a better future for Yeongdeungpo.”

Chae Hyun-il, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo District, once again emphasized the importance of communication with residents in an interview with Asia Economy.

Since taking office in the 7th local election, Mayor Chae has continuously visited the field and maintained sincere communication through proactive administrative efforts that stay one step ahead.

In particular, last year, the long-standing 50-year issue of reorganizing the street vendors on Yeongjung-ro in front of Yeongdeungpo Station was finally resolved without a single conflict through over 100 dialogues and communications with residents and merchants. This is a representative example demonstrating Mayor Chae’s interest and practice in communication.

His ability is fully demonstrated once again this time. The secret to proactively responding to COVID-19, quickly establishing and implementing preventive measures amid rapidly changing situations, is precisely the effect of broad communication.

The district sent about 70,000 text messages to residents in three rounds, promptly and transparently informing them about the progress and response measures of COVID-19. Also, reflecting local characteristics, letters containing infection prevention guidelines were sent in four languages (Korean, Chinese, English, Japanese) to 58,220 registered foreigners, and 30,000 hygiene kits (including masks, thermometers, vitamins, etc.) were provided as emergency support to vulnerable groups. These were results of communication created by directly listening to residents’ opinions on site.

Mayor Chae listens to voices from the field through continuous visits to daily life sites, quickly addressing difficulties, reassuring anxious residents, and overcoming crises.

On the 8th of last month, Mayor Chae visited Daerim Jungang Market, where visitors had decreased due to COVID-19 concerns. He checked the stagnant market situation, met merchants to comfort their difficulties and hardships, and showed leadership to alleviate residents’ anxiety.

He also visited Yeongdeungpo Underground Shopping Center, purchasing goods using the local currency ‘Yeongdeungpo Sarang Gift Certificate’ and attentively listening to the difficulties of local merchants. Then, he visited Yeongdeungpo’s long-standing representative commercial district, ‘Yeongdeungpo Samgakji,’ carefully listened to on-site suggestions, and promised once again to do his best to provide support that merchants can feel, comforting their hearts.

In addition, a meeting with local economic organizations, foreigner and multicultural institutions and groups, and social welfare facility officials served as an opportunity to share various preventive measures and strengthen the COVID-19 response system.

Communication is not limited to the field. Upon taking office, the first step was to establish ‘Yeongdeungpo 1st Street,’ where residents could propose policies they want anytime and anywhere in all fields. As a result, over 3,800 resident proposals were received in two months, and about 1,000 issues that could be immediately resolved were promptly addressed. Mid- to long-term issues were reviewed from multiple angles by the ‘Yeongdeungpo 100-Year Future Vision Committee,’ composed of experts from various fields, and the results were shared with residents to resolve their questions.

The ‘Yeongdeungpo Shinmungo,’ where the mayor responds when residents propose issues, is also notable. Mayor Chae personally responded nine times to petitions supported by more than 1,000 Yeongdeungpo residents.

Through various communication channels, the district achieved sincere changes desired by residents, such as the removal of street vendors on Yeongjung-ro in front of Yeongdeungpo Station, creation of the youth autonomous space ‘Underland,’ and establishment of the youth space ‘Zero Gravity Zone.’

Because the district found the beginning of change through communication with residents and implemented policies that residents can feel in their daily lives, Yeongdeungpo District received the Grand Prize in the Communication and Citizen Participation category at the 2019 Manifesto Best Practice Competition.

This year, communication with residents will be further expanded. A community space for Yeongdeungpo 1st Street will be set up in the district office civil service center to be used as a place for informal meetings with residents.

Also, Yeongdeungpo 1st Street, Yeongdeungpo Shinmungo, the visiting open mayor’s office, town hall meetings, and the school empathy project will be included as interactive communication platforms to make more efforts for daily communication with residents.

Mayor Chae Hyun-il of Yeongdeungpo District said, “Together with residents, we will make Yeongdeungpo once again the center of Seoul and a landmark of Korea, a city where people want to live, that is pleasant and prosperous together,” and added, “We will continue to meet residents and make Yeongdeungpo an open city without communication blind spots.”