Seongbuk-gu Realizes "Resident-Led Community Autonomy" in All 20 Neighborhoods

Having Real Authority over Village Policies and Budgets, Full-Scale Activities Begin... 'Recruitment of Resident Autonomy Committee Members' from September for Successful Formation of Resident Autonomy Association

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) will expand the resident autonomy committees, which were previously operated in some neighborhoods, to all 20 neighborhoods starting in 2021, and will recruit members from September.

The district announced that the resident autonomy committees, which have been piloted in Dongseon-dong and Jongam-dong since 2017, were expanded to 10 neighborhoods in 2019, and based on the successful operation experience, plans to implement them in all neighborhoods from next year.

Entering the fourth year of implementation, the Seongbuk-gu resident autonomy committees have been recognized for their efforts to secure diverse resident participation and practical resident authority in line with the direction of "Seongbuk, the number one place for resident-led daily autonomy."

Currently, the resident autonomy committees operating in 10 neighborhoods consist of a total of 587 members, including general members.

Ahead of the expansion of the resident autonomy committees in January 2021, the district plans to sequentially carry out ▲member recruitment ▲resident autonomy school operation ▲selection of members through a public lottery starting from September, so that the formation of the resident autonomy committees can be completed with an inauguration ceremony in January next year.

To facilitate the smooth formation of the resident autonomy committees, Seongbuk-gu held a "visiting meeting" in July for the administrative offices and key executives of the resident autonomy committees in the 10 relevant neighborhoods.

In addition, amid the COVID-19 crisis, the district plans to thoroughly prepare for the transition to resident autonomy committees in all neighborhoods by strengthening non-face-to-face promotions using online platforms and SNS.

Especially in 2020, with the enactment of the Seoul Metropolitan Ordinance, the institutional foundation of the resident autonomy committees has been established, raising residents' expectations for the committees even higher.

Mayor Lee Seung-ro of Seongbuk-gu stated that since the launch of the 7th local government, under the policy direction of "Seongbuk's future, finding answers on site," they have deliberated on residents' lives and local issues together on site, and thus have special expectations for the expansion of resident autonomy committees to all neighborhoods.

The resident autonomy committees to be expanded in 2021 include Donam 1-dong, Donam 2-dong, Anam-dong, Jeongneung 1-dong, Jeongneung 3-dong, Jeongneung 4-dong, Gireum 2-dong, Wolgok 1-dong, Jangwi 2-dong, and Jangwi 3-dong.

Residents who wish to participate in the resident autonomy committees can apply by visiting the respective neighborhood community service centers, or via email or online from September 1 to October 22.

For more details, please visit the Seongbuk-gu website → District News → District Information.