Park Seungwon, Mayor of Gwangmyeong, Vows to Usher in a New Era of Local Autonomy with a "Government of the Citizens" Based on Participation and Communication

Announced at the 'Autonomous Decentralization Arirang' Forum

Park Seungwon, mayor of Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province, stated, "We will usher in a new era of local autonomy by realizing a 'government of the citizens' based on citizen participation and communication."

Park Seungwon, mayor of Gwangmyeong, is presenting the major policy achievements and future vision of the 7th and 8th local government terms at the 'Autonomous Decentralization Arirang' held at Gwangmyeong Theater on the 24th. Provided by Gwangmyeong City

Mayor Park made these remarks at the 'Autonomous Decentralization Arirang,' a forum on decentralization held by the city at Gwangmyeong Theater on the 24th. The forum was organized to commemorate the 30th anniversary of locally elected governments, to reflect on past achievements, and to seek a vision for the next 30 years together with citizens.

At the forum, Mayor Park, as a presenter, said, "The city's decentralization policies share the same direction as the 'government of national sovereignty' advocated by the Lee Jaemyung administration." He added, "We will create an environment where citizens can freely express their opinions in daily life, directly participate in important decision-making processes, and actively practice democracy in their everyday lives."

In his presentation, Mayor Park introduced major achievements and future strategies of the 7th and 8th local government terms, including the full-scale expansion of residents' councils, a 500-person roundtable discussion, and the increased hosting of citizen forums.

In the first part of the forum, Professor So Soonchang of Konkuk University's Department of Public Administration gave a keynote speech titled "Achievements and Future of 30 Years of Local Autonomy," and Professor Jung Junhee of Hanyang University's Department of Information Society and Media presented on "Democratic Media for Local Citizens."

The second part, held in a talk concert format, was moderated by Professor Jung, where citizens and panelists freely asked questions and shared their opinions.

The city plans to actively incorporate the citizens' opinions gathered at this forum into its policies, and to distribute related materials to local governments nationwide.