Dongducheon City Council Member Im Hyun-sook Receives Manifesto Promise Award

Nation's First Enactment of the 'Dongducheon-si Walkable Street Creation Ordinance'
Key Legislative Case Selected by the Ministry of Government Legislation in Q1 This Year

Im Hyun-sook, a member of the Dongducheon City Council in Gyeonggi Province (Democratic Party, District Na), has been honored with the 'Manifesto Promise Award.'

Councilor Im Hyun-sook of Dongducheon City Council is receiving the 'Manifesto Promise Award.' Provided by Dongducheon City Council

According to the Dongducheon City Council on the 30th, Councilor Im received the Grand Prize for 'Good Ordinance' at the '16th Local Council Members Manifesto Promise Awards' ceremony held at Yeongdeungpo Art Hall in Seoul on the 27th. Since 2009, the 'Local Council Members Manifesto Promise Award,' selected through rigorous screening by the Korea Manifesto Practice Headquarters for 16 years, is known as an award recognized for its prestige and credibility.

This year, under the theme 'Rewriting Local Autonomy, Resilient Cities,' awardees were selected in two categories: 'Pledge Fulfillment' and 'Good Ordinance.' Councilor Im was recognized for drafting and leading the proposal of the 'Dongducheon City Ordinance on Creating Walkable Streets' (hereinafter referred to as the 'Dong Ordinance') and received the Grand Prize in the 'Good Ordinance' category.

The Dong Ordinance, drafted and led by Councilor Im, was promulgated and enacted in March. The ordinance designates certain areas in Dongducheon City as 'walkable streets' to provide citizens with a clean and well-organized streetscape combined with cultural characteristics, aiming to create a pleasant and beautiful urban image.

According to the Dong Ordinance, the designated street environments are to be sequentially improved and gradually expanded throughout the city to beautify the overall urban landscape. Prior to the enactment of the ordinance, Councilor Im conducted thorough preparations including gathering residents' opinions, holding meetings with relevant department heads and related organizations, implementing street environment improvement projects in pilot areas (Seoul Hospital Intersection), launching the 'Walking Together on Beautiful Streets in Dongducheon' campaign, and delivering related 5-minute free speeches.

The Dong Ordinance is the first of its kind in the nation and was selected as a major legislative case by the Ministry of Government Legislation in the first quarter of this year. The ordinance aims to shift the urban design paradigm from a car-centered to a people-centered and eco-friendly street environment, and to establish a foundation for citizen participation in urban design through resident councils. Ultimately, it is expected to improve urban living conditions, attract population inflow, and boost tourism.

Councilor Im Hyun-sook stated, “Examining every corner of my hometown through the eyes of citizens was the impetus for drafting this ordinance. If the implementation of this ordinance transforms the streets of Dongducheon into 'walkable' beautiful streets and improves the city’s image, that alone is a great reward. I dedicate this precious award to all citizens of Dongducheon. I will continue my council activities like a ‘vitamin’ that energizes citizens.”