[Photo] Seocho-gu Council Wins 5th Korea Local Autonomy Policy Award in District Council Category

Honor Received for Legislative Activities of Seocho-gu Council GO(鼓)

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The Seocho District Council (Chairperson Kim Ansook) received the Local Autonomy Policy Award in the district council category at the ‘5th Korea Local Autonomy Policy Awards’ ceremony held on the 27th at the Kensington Hotel in Yeouido.

The Korea Local Autonomy Policy Awards were established to discover and share excellent and innovative policies of metropolitan and basic local governments nationwide. In the newly established legislative category this year, the Seocho District Council was selected as the awardee for its legislative activities under the ‘Seocho District Council GO (鼓)’ project, which has been promoted as a key project in the first half of the 8th term.

‘Seocho District Council GO (鼓)’ is one of the key projects promoted by Chairperson An Jongsook in the first half of the 8th term. It carries a double meaning: like the Shinmungo (申聞鼓) of the Joseon Dynasty, which was installed to directly resolve the grievances of the people, it aims to listen to and resolve residents’ voices, and it also signifies the council going out to the residents (GO).

Lowering the threshold of the council and conducting on-site consultations by directly visiting residents, ‘Seocho District Council GO (鼓)’ is a volunteer activity driven by the desire to create a Seocho where no one is left out. In 2019, twice, a civil complaint advisory group composed of experts in law, taxation, architecture, labor, and real estate was appointed to provide free one-on-one customized consultations on over 120 residents’ inconveniences by region, drawing high responses from residents.

Furthermore, all Seocho district council members have continuously and proactively engaged in volunteer activities for marginalized groups during holidays and year-end seasons, funded by savings from the chairperson’s office expense budget rather than one-time events.

Chairperson Kim Ansook stated, “Seocho District Council GO (鼓) started as a key project in the first half of the 8th term, and the council will continue to strive to be a source of strength and comfort for residents. I believe this award is an encouragement from the residents to continue these efforts steadily. Although everyone is struggling due to COVID-19, the council will not neglect efforts to approach residents so that we can regain our precious daily lives.”