[New Year's Address] Shin Sujeong, Chairperson of Gwangju Metropolitan Council

"Strong Innovation and Responsible Legislative Activities"

Soojung Shin, Chairperson of Gwangju Metropolitan Council.

The hopeful New Year of 2025 has dawned. I sincerely wish that, with the wisdom and power of renewal symbolized by the Blue Snake, this year will bring you new hopes and achievements.

The second half of the 9th Gwangju Metropolitan Council has tirelessly worked to realize a "Sincere Council with Citizens, through the Eyes of Citizens." In the New Year 2025, we will continue to focus on the livelihood and real-life issues of our citizens, creating meaningful change and becoming a council that is even more trusted by you all.

First, we will become a "Council that Revitalizes Livelihoods." We will make it our top priority to implement practical measures that can ease the burdens of our citizens’ lives, such as supporting self-employed individuals and small business owners, and creating jobs for young people. If a policy is needed for economic recovery and stabilizing the lives of ordinary people, we will not hesitate to take any necessary action. We will ensure that tangible changes are made that citizens can truly feel. In addition, we will dedicate our full efforts to resolving major issues in Gwangju, such as the relocation of civilian and military airports, the waste incineration plant issue, attracting complex shopping malls, and the construction of Urban Railway Line 2. We will actively communicate with citizens and further strengthen the foundation for regional development.

Next, we will realize an "Open Council Together with Citizens." The future of Gwangju begins with your voices. We will strengthen our field-oriented legislative activities and reflect the vivid opinions of the community in our policies. In particular, during the May Citizens’ Day event, we will collect your opinions both online and offline and, based on these, hold a "Legislative Conference." Through direct dialogue with citizens, we will create better policies and visions. Furthermore, we will completely revamp the council’s website to be more citizen-friendly, providing a faster and more convenient communication channel. By realizing open governance, we will become even closer to you.

Lastly, we will transform into a "Competent Council with Innovation and Expertise." To strengthen the expertise of our legislative and policy activities, we will introduce post-enactment impact assessments for ordinances and establish a Legislative Evaluation Committee to build a systematic and effective legislative support system. In addition, we will innovate our legislative activities through digital transformation. By providing all council-related services through an integrated portal, we will realize fast and convenient digital legislative services for our citizens. We will also pursue research on improving the staffing structure of the council’s secretariat to strengthen our capabilities and establish the optimal foundation for legislative activities that meet the changing environment. We will continue our efforts to enact the Local Council Act and revise the Local Autonomy Act, taking the lead in establishing the institutional foundation for full local autonomy.

Respected citizens of Gwangju, 2025 will be a year of new challenges and changes. The Gwangju Metropolitan Council will make the stability of livelihoods and regional development its top priorities, and together with you, will create a bright future for Gwangju through strong innovation and responsible legislative activities.

I kindly ask for your continued interest and support in the New Year. I sincerely wish that every household enjoys abundant health and happiness, and that all your hopes and wishes come true in this prosperous year.