A Completely Changed Atmosphere in Dongdaemun-gu in the New Year?...Improved Reporting Methods and Introduction of Smart Concepts

"Let's Discuss Freely": Emphasis on Direct Communication with the Mayor through 'Standing Reports'
Active Review of Data-Driven Policy Making and Utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technologies
Regular Reading Discussions with Employees... Cultivating Humanities Knowledge for Better Administration

“Rather than blindly following instructions, we encourage all employees to freely share their opinions on work and policies. Let’s find better outcomes through discussion.”

This was the request made by Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, to employees at the start of the new year. The intention is to improve work and policies through so-called ‘Standing Reports,’ where any employee can present their opinions to the mayor without being constrained by customs or formalities.

Mayor Lee stated, “Let’s create a horizontal and flexible organizational culture where we can openly communicate any flaws or inefficiencies in work and policies and discuss new ways to improve them with the mayor at any time.”

Along with improving reporting methods, Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) is striving to introduce the concept of ‘smart’ administration across all areas to leap forward as a sustainable smart city.

All departments in Dongdaemun-gu plan to actively review and incorporate ways to enhance work efficiency by utilizing ▲public data ▲artificial intelligence (AI) ▲IoT technologies when establishing this year’s business plans.

Last year, the district held a ‘Generative AI Competition’ for employees to discuss ways to apply ChatGPT to their work, and provided a service that converts the locations of clothing collection boxes in the district into data, allowing residents to easily check them via mobile phones and PCs.

Additionally, ‘Reading Discussion Sessions with Employees’ will be held regularly. After selecting a book to read together, the mayor and employees exchange diverse opinions on its content to improve literacy and cultivate humanities knowledge, aiming to provide better administrative services to residents.

The first book for the 2025 ‘Reading Discussion Sessions with Employees’ is The Spatial Revolution: Environmental Psychology for a Happier Life (Author: Sarah W. Goldhagen).

Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, said, “I believe that new ideas and attempts to innovate existing things can make Dongdaemun-gu better,” urging employees to actively participate in innovating Dongdaemun-gu.