Gwangju Seo-gu Unveils City Brand at Seo-gu Residents' Day Ceremony

Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Kim Ikang) has opened the door to the new city brand “Good City Seo-gu,” based on the values of trust, consideration, and companionship.

On the 2nd, Seo-gu announced the unveiling of the new city brand “Good City Seo-gu” at the 30th Seo-gu Residents’ Day ceremony held at the Deulbul Hall of Seo-gu Office.

The ceremony was attended by Gwangju Mayor Kang Kijung, elected National Assembly members Jo Incheol and Yang Bunam, and about 300 Seo-gu residents.

At the Seogu Citizen Awards ceremony, Park Mansu, Chairman of the Dongcheon-dong Community Security Council, Kim Yongseop, Chairman of the Kumho 1-dong Residents' Autonomy Committee, Choi Youngdo, Executive Vice Chairman of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Seogu Sports Council, and Park Jaehong, Chairman of Youngmu Construction, received the 'Proud Seogu Citizen Award.'
[Photo by Seogu]

At the subsequent 30th Seo-gu Residents Award ceremony, Park Mansu, Chairman of the Dongcheon-dong Community Security Council, Kim Yongseop, Chairman of the Kumho 1-dong Residents’ Autonomy Association, Choi Youngdo, Executive Vice Chairman of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Seo-gu Sports Council, and Park Jaehong, Chairman of Yeongmu Construction, received the “Proud Seo-gu Residents Award.”

Seo-gu Mayor Kim Ikang said, “The ‘Good City Seo-gu’ embodies our unique identity and future vision,” adding, “In Seo-gu’s history and the lives of its residents live the nobless oblige personally practiced by Hoejae Park Gwangok 500 years ago, and the spirit of solidarity symbolized by the 5.18 rice balls shared by the merchants of Yangdong Market.”

He continued, “We will inherit and develop these values, gathering the strength and wisdom of Seo-gu residents to realize a good city based on trust, consideration for the vulnerable, and companionship,” and added, “We will realize Good City Seo-gu, where good people are happy, good stores prosper, and good companies succeed.”

Hoejae Park Gwangok, a native of Maewoldong, was one of the three great wealthy figures of the Joseon Dynasty. During the Imjin War, he established a militia office to supply weapons and provisions, protecting the country. He is a representative figure symbolizing Korea’s “noblesse oblige,” having used his private wealth to build the Gaesan Pond (currently Jeonpyeongje) to help people suffering from drought.

Also, the spirit of sharing and solidarity of the merchants of Yangdong Market, who distributed rice balls to the citizen soldiers during the May 18 Democratic Uprising in 1980, has been recognized worldwide as the Gwangju Spirit.

Seo-gu plans to expand such history and spirit into the values of trust, consideration, and companionship to build the foundation of a good city.

Seo-gu is enhancing administrative trust through courteous responses and prompt, accurate civil service processing. It is implementing “good policies” such as Cheonwon Guksi, which achieves triple benefits by creating jobs for seniors, revitalizing the local economy, and promoting the consumption of domestic wheat; Oitgil Walking, where participants pay a 5,000 won fee to walk 5.2 km together to practice neighborly love; barefoot walking paths for seniors’ health; Good Store Good Coupon, which aims to circulate the local economy and spread positive influence; and shared parking lot projects.

Additionally, Seo-gu is gaining attention as a representative local government of “Good Companionship” by being the first nationwide to provide allowances to young family caregivers and spreading the Seo-gu style smart care policy to local governments across the country.

Seo-gu Mayor Kim Ikang emphasized, “Good City Seo-gu, where kind and warm-hearted people are happy and successful, can only be realized together, not by individual effort,” adding, “I will do my best to make Seo-gu a place where residents take pride in living in a good city and where children are happy because they live in a good city.”

Shin Dongho, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy baekok@asiae.co.kr