Expansion of Electric Vehicles in Gwanak-type Residents' Autonomous Associations

Resident Autonomy Committees unified from 6 existing neighborhoods to 21 neighborhoods as 'Gwanak-style Resident Autonomy Committees' starting in 2023

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) will expand the 'Resident Autonomy Committees' that were conducted in 6 neighborhoods since 2019 to all 21 neighborhoods starting in 2023 and will actively promote this initiative.

While the existing Resident Autonomy Advisory Committees only served as advisory bodies for neighborhoods, the 'Resident Autonomy Committees' empower residents with substantial authority related to neighborhood policies and budgets, establishing a partnership on equal footing with the administration to perform an enhanced role in resident autonomy.

In October last year, the district held a 'Gwanak-style Resident Autonomy Committee Promotion Briefing' to gather opinions from various sectors and explore ways to revitalize the 'Gwanak-style Resident Autonomy Committees.'

Based on the experience of operating Seoul-style Resident Autonomy Committees in 6 neighborhoods (Seonghyeon, Jungang, Cheongnyong, Sillim, Sinsa, Seorim) and the district’s circumstances, a 'Gwanak-style Resident Autonomy Committee' model, which is a solid foundation of grassroots democracy, was designed to operate a unified resident autonomy organization.

Before implementing the 'Gwanak-style Resident Autonomy Committees' this year, the district is pursuing a full revision of the 'Ordinance on the Establishment and Operation of Resident Autonomy Committees in Gwanak-gu, Seoul,' and completed legislative notice on December 29.

The 'Gwanak-style Resident Autonomy Committees' will abolish the Resident Autonomy Project Group, which served as an intermediary support organization between the district and the committees, and will not operate a paid secretary system. Instead, it will support 'Resident Autonomy Coordinators' who provide customized consulting to supplement the lack of expertise in existing Resident Autonomy Committees and ensure a successful transition and solid operation of the committees.

Additionally, to guarantee diverse resident participation opportunities tailored to each neighborhood’s characteristics and to operate open Resident Autonomy Committees, the district plans to simplify committee composition and abolish mandatory pre-education, thereby resolving difficulties arising from the transition to Resident Autonomy Committees.

Furthermore, the district will grant autonomy to hold resident general meetings optionally based on each neighborhood’s autonomy capacity and willingness to execute, addressing challenges faced in the existing Seoul-style Resident Autonomy Committee pilot projects, and will operate a more flexible 'Gwanak-style Resident Autonomy Committee.'

A district official stated, “Since the decision to convert to neighborhood Resident Autonomy Committees coincides with the end of the Seoul Resident Autonomy Committee pilot project, we are taking a big step toward establishing a foundation for 'Gwanak-style Resident Autonomy Committees' where residents are the owners.” He added, “The district will spare no support to realize practical resident autonomy and to stabilize and successfully establish the Resident Autonomy Committees.”

Jungnang-gu appoints Resident Autonomy Committee members for 5 neighborhoods (50 members per neighborhood, total 250 new members)... completes formation of Resident Autonomy Committees in all 16 neighborhoods

Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) will hold appointment ceremonies for Resident Autonomy Committee members in 5 neighborhoods starting from the 4th.

The Resident Autonomy Committee is a self-governing body where residents take direct responsibility and representation, discussing, deciding, and resolving neighborhood issues together.

Since October last year, Jungnang-gu recruited Resident Autonomy Committee members for 5 neighborhoods: Sangbong 2-dong, Junghwa 2-dong, Muk 2-dong, Mangwoo 3-dong, and Sinnae 2-dong. Through a public lottery conducted by the Lottery Management Committee, the final selection of 250 members was completed in December.

The appointment ceremonies for each neighborhood will begin with Sangbong 2-dong on the 4th and continue until Junghwa 2-dong on the 19th. The ceremonies will proceed with reports on the Resident Autonomy Committee progress, awarding of appointment certificates, and reading of the Resident Autonomy Committee members’ declaration of practice.

The newly appointed members will serve a two-year term and will engage in activities such as establishing and implementing autonomy plans to improve residents’ lives, as well as various education programs and events to revitalize resident autonomy and the village community.

Jungnang-gu Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi said, “With this appointment ceremony, we have completed the formation of Resident Autonomy Committees as channels for resident participation throughout Jungnang-gu. I ask all members to actively contribute to the development of the local community.” He added, “Together with the Resident Autonomy Committees, we will create and develop a unique autonomy culture in Jungnang and make Jungnang-gu a better place to live.”

The district has been converting neighborhood Resident Autonomy Advisory Committees to Resident Autonomy Committees since 2019 to support more active and practical resident autonomy activities, promote grassroots autonomy, and enhance democratic participation awareness. With the appointment of new members in these 5 neighborhoods, all 16 neighborhoods in Jungnang-gu now have Resident Autonomy Committees.

Gangbuk-gu recruiting companies to participate in the 2023 Village Enterprise Development Project... up to 50 million KRW in project funding support

Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Soon-hee) is publicly recruiting companies to participate in the '2023 Village Enterprise Development Project,' which aims to effectively realize the benefits of the local community, until the 6th.

A 'Village Enterprise' refers to a village-level company where local residents utilize local resources to run profit-making businesses that solve common local problems. The goal is to create income and jobs and realize the benefits of the local community.

Once designated as a village enterprise, companies can receive project funding support of up to ▲50 million KRW for new (1st phase) enterprises ▲30 million KRW for re-designated (2nd phase) enterprises ▲20 million KRW for advanced (3rd phase) enterprises. However, the village enterprise must bear at least 20% of the subsidy as self-funding.

Applicants must be corporations with at least 5 residents living or working in Gangbuk-gu, with local residents comprising at least 70% of all members.

New (1st phase) village enterprise applicants must complete 7 hours of introductory education hosted by the Seoul Social Economy Support Center, and re-designated (2nd phase) applicants must complete 4 hours of specialized education before the Seoul city evaluation.

After on-site inspections and eligibility reviews by the district, and evaluation by Seoul city, final selection will be made around March next year by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

Interested companies should prepare application forms, member lists, shareholder and cooperative member registers, and other required documents and submit them in person to the Gangbuk-gu Job Support Division.

Details on required documents and other information can be found in the news section of the Gangbuk-gu website.

Gangbuk-gu Mayor Lee Soon-hee said, “We hope many companies with public interest and locality that can realize the benefits of the local community will participate. We will spare no support to help companies in Gangbuk-gu establish sustainable revenue structures and operate independently.”

Yongsan-gu launches smart information notification service for cultural facility shuttle buses

What is the fastest and most convenient way to get from Ichon 2-dong Community Service Center to Yongsan-gu Office? If you time it right, the Yongsan-gu cultural facility shuttle bus is the most efficient transportation option.

Yongsan-gu (Mayor Park Hee-young) has established a 'Smart Information Notification Service' to assist residents using the cultural facility shuttle buses and is actively promoting it.

The Smart Information Notification Service provides real-time bus location information to minimize inconvenience for residents using the shuttle buses, despite having a timetable, due to traffic congestion or breakdowns.

The service can be accessed by downloading an app on a smartphone. Search for and install 'ComeOnBus' from Google Play or the App Store. Without separate authentication, users can enter a shared ID and English authentication key, making registration and usage simple, allowing even seniors to use it easily.

Setting the auto-login switch to 'ON' maintains the login status.

Through the ComeOnBus app route search, users can check the current location of the cultural facility shuttle bus and arrival information at stops. Frequently used routes can be bookmarked. Important information such as delays or cancellations is announced via the notification board menu.

A district official explained, “Although Yongsan-gu is geographically the center of Seoul, the city center is divided due to railroads and U.S. military bases, resulting in poor public transportation access to public facilities within the district.” He added, “We operate cultural facility shuttle buses connecting cultural facilities and major hubs.”

The cultural facility shuttle buses currently operate 6 routes with 105 stops. Operating hours are from 8:00 AM to 6:10 PM, with no service on weekends and public holidays.

Eligible users include residents visiting health centers or health branches, participants in various programs operated by the district office and neighborhood community centers, and users of cultural, artistic, sports, and educational facilities operated by the district.