Gwangjin-gu Strengthens 'Dong Area Responsibility System' for Faster Civil Complaint Processing

One Year Since Implementation, Local Responsibility System Established... Faster Response to Complaints
Regular Inspections at 157 Sites Across 13 Areas Including Cleaning, Roads, and Safety
Expanded On-Site Inspections and Improved Communication and Cooperation Between Dong Chiefs and Department Heads

Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) announced that it will implement the ‘2024 Plan to Strengthen the Operation of the Dong Area Responsibility System’ for prompt civil complaint handling.

The Dong Area Responsibility System is a system implemented since March last year to quickly respond to residents’ inconveniences. It reorganized the existing department-centered complaint handling into a dong-centered system for faster, field-oriented complaint processing. The role and responsibility of the dong community center were strengthened to enhance the efficiency and speed of complaint resolution.

As a representative policy embodying the local government philosophy of the 8th elected term, ‘Communication and Development,’ 242 out of 1,267 complaints discovered through patrols last year were promptly addressed by investing about 200 million KRW from the supplementary budget allocated to the dong.

Specifically, efforts were made in all areas including safety, environment, and cleaning, such as ▲improving the environment of harmful businesses and repairing dangerous fences around the Myeonmok-ro area ▲environmental improvement of households suspected of hoarding ▲installation of anti-adhesive sheets for advertisements ▲maintenance of vehicle anti-slip blocks ▲and handling of household waste, paying close attention even to small inconveniences in residents’ daily lives.

Based on last year’s operational results, this year the frequency of on-site inspections will be expanded weekly, and budgets will be allocated appropriately for each project. Additionally, the communication and management systems between the district office and dong have been strengthened to address any shortcomings.

Self-led on-site inspections centered on the dong chief will be reinforced. Thirteen areas directly related to residents’ daily life inconveniences, including cleaning, roads, safety, and construction, covering 157 locations, will be designated as focused inspection areas to establish a thorough response system. Regular patrols and on-site inspections will be institutionalized according to weekly patrol plans for each dong to swiftly respond to complaints.

Small-scale complaints that repeatedly caused inconvenience in each dong will be promptly addressed using budgets independently allocated by the dong. For cases requiring long periods or large-scale budgets, the district office will take action as before. A budget of 264 million KRW has been allocated for 42 projects including installation of anti-illegal advertisement boards, emergency support for elderly living alone, purchase of cleaning and safety supplies, installation of anti-slip plates, and creation of safe design murals.

The communication system between the dong community centers and the district office will also become closer. Direct contact between dong chiefs and department heads will monitor the complaint handling process from the start to the result. Even after completion, continuous monitoring will enhance the completeness of complaint resolution. Furthermore, a close operational system will be established and operated for mobile teams handling complaints by dong and department, including ▲illegal dumping task force ▲street vendor and illegal advertisement cleanup team ▲illegal parking enforcement traffic patrol team ▲road repair mobile team ▲and sewer dredging team.

Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, said, “The core of the Dong Area Responsibility System is for the dong chief to think of themselves as the district mayor, immediately resolving simple issues on-site at the dong community center, and collaborating with departments to find solutions for more time-consuming problems.” He added, “Based on the Dong Area Responsibility System, which has been established over the past year, we will further communicate and carefully address the inconveniences and difficulties of the residents.”