Geumcheon-gu Ranks First Nationwide Among Autonomous Districts as "Life-Friendly City"

Results of the Korea Sustainable City Evaluation

Geumcheon-gu, Seoul announced on July 8 that it ranked first nationwide among autonomous districts in the Life-Friendly City category at the 2nd Korea Sustainable City Evaluation.

The Korea Sustainable City Evaluation is conducted by the Korea Policy Management Institute, a non-profit organization, and comprehensively analyzes cities by measuring their sustainability and future responsiveness. This year, the evaluation covered 17 metropolitan governments and 226 basic local governments (cities, counties, and districts) nationwide, assessing them in three categories?Citizen Happiness City, Innovative Future City, and Life-Friendly City?using 88 indicators based on public statistics.

Geumcheon-gu received the highest score among 69 autonomous districts nationwide in the Life-Friendly City category, earning 85.422 points out of a possible 100. The district was especially recognized for its development as a city with strong communication with residents, high levels of social participation, a robust social safety net including welfare and community environment, strong social capacity among residents, and a high degree of life-friendliness.

Established in 1995, the year the local autonomy system was implemented, Geumcheon-gu marks its 30th anniversary this year. The district has realized a Geumcheon-style model of resident self-governance, activating on-site communication and participation through dialogues with residents, resident assemblies, and public forums, and has worked to establish grassroots democracy and develop local autonomy.

Additionally, Geumcheon-gu has been striving to improve residents' quality of life and create a sustainable urban environment by building a dense welfare safety net, restoring ecosystems in response to the climate crisis, and expanding urban parks and green spaces.

Yoo Seonghun, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, stated, "This achievement is a valuable result accomplished together with Geumcheon residents who have actively participated in district affairs," adding, "We will make Geumcheon the nation's leading sustainable city by realizing a resident happiness city with a high quality of life through communication and participation, and a life-friendly city where people and nature coexist."