Nowon-gu Selected as an Excellent Autonomous District in Government Joint Evaluation for Two Consecutive Years

Measurement of Achievement and Preparation Efforts for 51 Quantitative Indicators in 25 Districts of Seoul... Excellence Districts Selected for Pet Registration Rate, Completion Rate of Incoming Traveler Tracking Survey, Achievement of Shared Childcare Center Installation Goals, Securing 20 Million Won in Seoul Special Grants

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) was selected as an excellent district for two consecutive years in the 2020 Government Joint Evaluation hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

The Government Joint Evaluation is an annual system conducted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to assess the performance of local governments in carrying out national delegated tasks, national subsidy projects, and major national policies over the past year across 17 metropolitan cities and provinces nationwide.

Seoul City measures the achievement and effort levels of 51 quantitative indicators by autonomous district to improve performance in the evaluation, providing financial incentives according to the rating.

Having been selected as an excellent autonomous district for two consecutive years including last year, the district secured a special grant of 20 million KRW from Seoul City.

In this evaluation, the district achieved targets in a total of 31 indicators including ▲pet registration rate ▲completion rate of inbound traveler tracking investigations ▲completeness of epidemiological investigations ▲performance of public health center smoking cessation clinics ▲achievement rate of shared childcare space installation ▲utilization rate of national and public daycare centers ▲efforts to support out-of-school youth ▲provision rate of elderly care services ▲policy improvement rate through gender impact assessments, receiving high scores.

Looking at examples of excellent evaluations by sector, first, the ‘pet registration rate’ achieved 131% last year, receiving high praise. It is analyzed that the district’s policies to establish a proper pet culture, such as enforcement against violations of the Animal Protection Act, operation of holiday pet shelters, and creation of pet playground projects, were effective.

The achievement rates of indicators related to infectious disease response, such as ‘completion rate of inbound traveler tracking investigations’ and ‘completeness of epidemiological investigations,’ stood out. This is seen as an early recognition of the district’s infectious disease management and response capabilities demonstrated during the COVID-19 quarantine process this year.

Also, the ‘performance of public health center smoking cessation clinics’ received good scores. Smoking cessation counseling was conducted for a total of 2,202 people, achieving 142% of the target number of 1,541. This once again proved the effectiveness of the district’s smoking cessation policies, including strengthened incentives to reduce smoking rates among residents and expanded designation of non-smoking areas.

Furthermore, the target for ‘shared childcare space installation’ was also achieved. Including Dodam Dodam Sharing Space in Gongneung 2-dong, located in an apartment complex?the first of its kind in Seoul?five shared childcare rooms were installed and are currently operating just last year.

In addition, the ‘utilization rate of national and public daycare centers’ reached 40.5% last year, recognizing the district as a city favorable for raising children.

The district stated that the good evaluation resulted from establishing a plan for evaluation preparation, holding progress report meetings, and focusing on performance management by indicator to improve results.

District Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “Achieving excellent results for two consecutive years in the Government Joint Evaluation is a meaningful outcome recognizing the administrative capabilities in major areas of district governance. We will continue to lead responsible district administration that enhances residents’ health, welfare, and quality of life.”