[Seoul Autonomous District Manifesto Evaluation News] Seongdong-gu Resolves Long-standing Local Issues Including Jangteo-gil and Geumho-ro Expansion and Demolition of Sampo Remicon Factory in Seongsu-dong; Drives Government Policies with Innovative Projects Like Essential Worker Support and Real-time Waiting System at Screening Clinics... Dongdaemun-gu Achieves 3 Consecutive Wins in Manifesto Pledge Fulfillment Evaluation... Jungnang-gu Attains Highest (SA) Grade for 3 Consecutive Terms in 7th Mayoral Pledge Evaluation... Geumcheon-gu Selected as Highest Grade (SA) in Nationwide Basic Local Government Pledge Evaluation for 7th Term
The demolition of Sampyo Remicon factory, the largest long-standing wish in Seongdong-gu for decades
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) announced on the 1st that it received the highest grade, 'SA,' in the '2022 National Basic Local Government Heads Pledge Fulfillment and Information Disclosure Evaluation' announced by the Korea Manifesto Practice Headquarters.
The '2022 National Basic Local Government Heads Pledge Fulfillment and Information Disclosure Evaluation' is conducted by a manifesto evaluation team composed of experts and activists who evaluate basic local government heads nationwide in five areas including pledge fulfillment completion, resident communication, and pledge consistency up to December 2021, then classify them into five grades (SA, A, B, C, D). Seongdong-gu received a comprehensive score of over 90 points in this evaluation.
Based on the pledges of the 6th and 7th elected terms, the district received the highest grade consecutively twice in 2015 and 2019 in the 'Pledge Implementation Plan Evaluation,' which reflects the district's governance philosophy, vision, and comprehensive financial planning. It was also selected as the highest grade for four times (2018, 2020, 2021, 2022) in the 'Pledge Fulfillment and Information Disclosure Evaluation' based on the implementation plan, achieving a total of six times and five consecutive years of the highest grade (SA).
Seongdong-gu incorporated residents' opinions throughout the pledge implementation plan establishment and execution process through randomly selected resident jurors, secured democratic and transparent pledge fulfillment by providing manifesto (pledge), policy proposals, resident voting, and survey sections on the district office homepage main screen, and promoted policies together with residents.
Among the 160 pledge projects in seven major areas of Seongdong-gu, representative projects include fostering social ventures and operating the Future Job Corporation in the economic sector; the public medical welfare model 'Hyosarang Primary Care Physician,' establishment of elderly welfare centers by region, and expansion of public daycare centers (61% utilization rate of national/public daycare centers) in the welfare sector; and expansion of Geumho Station to Geumnam Market Jangteo-gil, road expansion and intersection improvement around Singeumho Station in the urban sector. As of the end of March 2022, a total of 146 projects were completed, with a pledge fulfillment rate of 91.3%.
In particular, Seongdong-gu finalized the demolition of the Sampyo Remicon factory in Seongsu-dong, which had been the biggest long-standing wish of Seongdong residents for decades, completed the expansion projects of Jangteo-gil and Geumho-ro, and led national local governments and government policies with innovative projects such as support for essential workers and a real-time waiting number guidance system at screening clinics despite the COVID-19 situation.
A district official said, "Pledges are about faithfully executing promises according to the will of the residents, and receiving the highest grade (SA) for five consecutive years in the pledge fulfillment evaluation is the greatest compliment from the residents," adding, "We will continue to strive to create an inclusive city for the socially vulnerable, a city dreaming of sustainable development, and a smart technology and knowledge-based city."
Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol) received the highest grade (SA) in the pledge fulfillment and information disclosure evaluation conducted by the Korea Manifesto Practice Headquarters targeting nationwide basic local government heads in the 7th elected term.
Yoo Deok-yeol, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, achieved the highest score in the pledge fulfillment evaluation for three consecutive years in the 7th elected term following the 6th term, earning the honor of being called "a mayor who keeps promises well and communicates with residents."
The Korea Manifesto Practice Headquarters conducted evaluations on 226 mayors, county governors, and district heads nationwide by collecting election pledge fulfillment and performance data and information disclosure materials, evaluating five areas: pledge fulfillment completion, 2021 goal achievement, resident communication, web communication, and pledge consistency. Basic local governments scoring 90 points or more were selected and announced as SA grade.
The district selected seven key areas during the 7th term: an economic city securing youth startups and jobs; an educational city nurturing hope; a welfare city that grows bigger by sharing; a growth city leading sustainable growth; a cultural city becoming part of daily life; a more pleasant environmental city; and a life safety city based on resident autonomy, promoting 92 pledge projects.
As a result, Dongdaemun-gu completed projects such as establishing a youth center, expanding support for elementary, middle, and high school education expenses, expanding the Bodeumnuri project and strengthening local networks, installing stepping stones in Jungnangcheon Stream, building and operating the Baebongsan Forest Library, creating the Cheonjangsan Trail, installing a pet playground, and fostering a mature pet culture. Other pledge items in the seven areas are progressing smoothly since the beginning of the term.
Additionally, the district regularly discloses pledge fulfillment status on the district office website for transparent management and operates a resident participation section to lead communication with residents.
The district also operates the 'Dongdaemun-gu Resident Jury Panel,' where residents directly participate in pledge fulfillment checks. The resident jury panel, selected by random drawing based on proportional population by gender, age, and region, deliberates on the appropriateness of pledge adjustments and evaluates pledge fulfillment, strengthening transparency and reflecting residents' opinions in policies.
Yoo Deok-yeol, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, said, "As a result of our joint efforts to keep precious promises with residents, fruitful results were achieved throughout the district administration," adding, "During the remaining term, I will do my best to ensure that the pledges, which are promises to residents, are well completed through active communication with residents."
Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) achieved the highest (SA) grade in the '7th Elected Term Basic Local Government Heads Pledge Fulfillment and Information Disclosure Evaluation' conducted by the Korea Manifesto Practice Headquarters. This is the third time following 2019 and 2021.
The pledge fulfillment evaluation was conducted based on five indicators: pledge fulfillment completion, goal achievement, resident communication, web communication, and pledge consistency. The district received good scores in all areas, achieving the highest grade.
The district was especially praised for 'expanding resident communication' through the resident jury panel and 'securing reliability' through the enactment of the pledge management ordinance.
Despite the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the district widely introduced e-democracy functions such as online surveys and online proposals and continuously communicated with residents through activities like neighborhood cleaning and conversations with elderly residents at senior centers.
For pledges requiring changes, the district sought transparency and reliability by obtaining approval from the district council and deliberation by the resident jury panel composed of general residents. The enactment of the pledge management ordinance to establish an institutional foundation for pledge evaluation was also notable.
In the 7th term, Jungnang-gu is systematically promoting 70 pledges in five major areas under the vision of 'Happy Future, New Jungnang': vibrant economic Jungnang; urban development fostering growth engines; future Jungnang of education and culture; warm welfare Jungnang together; and cooperative Jungnang of communication and participation.
The district has currently completed 52 of the 70 pledge projects. The remaining 18 projects are progressing normally as planned. Achievements include the opening of the Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center, the largest education support center among Seoul's autonomous districts; the Reading Jungnang Project; establishment of the 'Animal Welfare Team' to strengthen support for companion animals; enactment of the Jungnang-gu Youth Basic Ordinance; and initiatives to solve cleaning issues such as creating a clean Jungnang, improving residents' quality of life in various fields including economy, culture, and welfare.
Projects such as the creation of the Saja-jeong Station and Sangbong-dong Food Alley specialized street and the Mangwoo Station History and Culture Park and the construction of an environmental education center are also expected to be completed.
Especially, the construction of a startup support center and a fashion support center (Smart Anchor), integrated development of the Myeonmok Administrative Complex Town, and relocation of the SH Corporation are expected to raise the level of local urban infrastructure through active promotion.
Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said, "Thanks to the cooperation of residents, we were able to achieve the highest grade for the third time in the pledge fulfillment evaluation," adding, "We will continue to faithfully fulfill the pledges, which are precious promises with residents, along with continuous communication."
Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Seong-hoon) announced that it received the highest grade (SA) in the pledge fulfillment evaluation for nationwide basic local government heads in the 7th elected term conducted by the Korea Manifesto Practice Headquarters.
The Korea Manifesto Practice Headquarters (hereafter, Practice Headquarters) comprehensively evaluated the degree of pledge fulfillment as of December 31, 2021, targeting basic local government heads nationwide from February last year.
The Practice Headquarters conducts evaluations by comprehensively judging five areas including pledge fulfillment completion, goal achievement, and resident communication, converting the results into a score out of 100 points. Evaluation grades are assigned sequentially with the highest grade 'SA' given to local governments scoring over 90 points, followed by four other grades.
The Practice Headquarters evaluated that Geumcheon-gu completed 57 out of 69 pledges and that the remaining 12 pledges are being 'normally promoted' according to the promotion plan. Notably, unlike other local governments, Geumcheon-gu had no pledges that were only partially promoted, deferred, or discarded, nor any pledges with poor financial securing.
Geumcheon-gu has made efforts to enhance transparency and democracy regarding pledge fulfillment.
Yoo Seong-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, said, "Pledges are the essential value of local governments' existence and are no different from contracts made with residents, so nothing is more important than keeping pledges," adding, "I thank the residents of Geumcheon-gu who have given advice and encouragement to ensure that pledges are properly implemented."
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