Eunpyeong-gu Ranks First Nationwide in Government Innovation Evaluation for Autonomous Districts... Why?

[Seoul District News] Eunpyeong-gu Leads Administrative Innovation with Online Residents' Assembly, I-Mom Taxi, AI X-ray Interpretation, Receiving Prime Minister's Commendation as the Only Seoul District, Securing 80 Million KRW Financial Incentive... Geumcheon-gu Operates '2022 Wise Prenatal Life'... Gangnam-gu Holds 'ESG Public Design' Contest to Improve Environmental and Social Issues

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Eunpyeong-gu achieved first place nationwide in the autonomous district category of the '2021 Local Government Innovation Evaluation' hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

With this year's award, the district has achieved the remarkable feat of being selected as an excellent institution in the innovation evaluation for four consecutive years, once again proving that Eunpyeong-gu's innovative administration is at the highest level nationwide.

In this evaluation, the district received the highest score in the autonomous district category among basic local governments and was the only district in Seoul to receive the Prime Minister's Award. As an excellent institution, it also secured a financial incentive of 80 million KRW.

Eunpyeong-gu received high marks in this evaluation for its efforts to innovate district administration through innovation and communication, including expanding opportunities for resident participation, efforts to eliminate blind spots in public services, and promoting organizational innovation.

Key achievements include hosting the nation's first 'Online Residents' Assembly,' building an online platform to strengthen online deliberation and public discussion. The project to establish a 'School Zone Smart Crosswalk Infrastructure System,' which ensures safety tailored to pedestrian perspectives, was the only local government to advance to the final round and won a bronze prize at the '2021 Government Innovation Best Practices Competition.'

In particular, the 'I-Mom Taxi' (photo) project, first implemented in Eunpyeong, is a dedicated taxi service for pregnant women and families with infants and young children, receiving high praise as an excellent policy. It was also selected as a best practice at the '2021 Korea Innovation Expo' and the '2021 Local Government Active Administration Excellent Policy,' serving as a benchmark for other local governments.

The district achieved administrative innovation by integrating advanced smart technology into public services. The 'AI-based Large Waste Disposal System' allows residents to handle everything from reporting to fee payment and collection in a one-stop process using mobile devices, greatly enhancing convenience.

The 'AI X-ray Image Interpretation Support Service' uses artificial intelligence and cloud technology to expand the scope of X-ray interpretation at public health centers from tuberculosis to all major lung diseases including lung cancer and pneumothorax. It is included in the '2022 Government Innovation Best Practices Collection,' leading change and innovation through digital-based public service provision.

A district official stated, "This achievement is the result of joint efforts by residents and public officials despite the difficulties posed by COVID-19," adding, "We will continue to discover and spread policies that residents can feel through active administrative innovation this year as well."

Geumcheon-gu announced that it will operate the '2022 Wise Prenatal Education Life' program from May to November to promote healthy living and childbirth for pregnant women.

The 'Wise Prenatal Education Life' program is designed for pregnant women in Geumcheon-gu and will be held 26 times in total, covering topics such as childbirth and parenting classes, couples classes, prenatal yoga classes, baby massage, attachment dolls, and making newborn clothes and other prenatal education items.

All classes will be conducted online via Zoom to allow participation from home, and the education schedule can be checked on the Geumcheon-gu Public Health Center website.

Pregnant women wishing to enroll can apply through the 'Integrated Reservation' system on the Geumcheon-gu Office website during the application period for each class. All programs operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Choi Yoon-kyung, Director of Health Promotion, said, "We plan to provide various customized non-face-to-face programs for pregnant women who find it difficult to go outside due to COVID-19," adding, "We hope many pregnant women in Geumcheon-gu will participate in this education, which helps resolve questions about pregnancy and childbirth and supports healthy pregnancy and childbirth through appropriate physical activity."

For more details, inquiries can be made through the Public Health Center website or the Health Promotion Division.

Gangnam-gu (Mayor Jung Soon-gyun) is holding the '1st Idea Contest' under the theme 'Sustainable City Gangnam, ESG Public Design for Everyone's Happiness.'

ESG public design refers to activities where various stakeholders such as citizens and companies identify environmental (E) and social (S) issues in daily life, form public-private governance (G), and find improvement measures through public design. Gangnam-gu planned this contest to discover innovative ideas and enhance spatial value and urban competitiveness.

The contest is divided into policy ideas and public design categories, and anyone aged 18 or older can participate. Applications can be downloaded from the district website and submitted via email from June 27 to 30. The district plans to select 14 winners and award a total prize of 22 million KRW.

On March 24, Gangnam-gu signed a business agreement with the Korea Social Welfare Council Social Contribution Center to mutually cooperate in conducting projects through the ESG contest.

Mayor Jung Soon-gyun of Gangnam-gu said, "Gangnam-gu was selected in the '16th Korea Service Awards in the Urban Environment and Culture category,' highlighting the value of urban design that led Gangnam-style changes," adding, "We will continue to create a 'world-class number one city' with urban design reflecting the civic consciousness of 'Elegant Gangnam,' which is inclusive, considerate, and respectful."