[Interview] "Politics Is the Art of Changing Lives... Bringing Citizens Closer Through Small but Certain Changes"

Shin Hyunkuk's Philosophy: "Transforming Small Inconveniences into Policy"
From Civil Complaints Day to Climate Action,
Citizen-Centered Leadership in Mungyeong
Design Administration for User Experience,
Building an Inclusive and Sustainable City

"The starting point of administration is the inconvenience experienced by citizens. True change comes from structurally improving and institutionalizing small but recurring inconveniences in daily life."

Shin Hyunkuk, Mayor of Mungyeong, places 'citizens' at the center of his administration. By designating every Wednesday as 'Civil Complaints Day,' he listens directly to citizens' voices and actively works to solve real problems. His leadership can be summarized as 'field-oriented municipal administration.' Mayor Shin emphasized, "Large-scale projects are important, but the essence of administration lies in changing the details of everyday life," and added, "Politics is ultimately the art of transforming citizens' lives."

◆ 'Administrative Philosophy' of Turning Daily Inconveniences into Policy

Mayor Shin does not take any civil complaint lightly. He recognizes even simple inconveniences as recurring structural problems and focuses on transforming them into administrative systems.

"There are structural causes behind even minor complaints. Identifying these accurately and institutionalizing them is the true role of administration. Even if it takes time, I believe it must ultimately benefit the citizens."

This philosophy is realized through citizen-focused policies such as expanding public parking lots and adjusting public transportation routes. In particular, the system of listening directly to citizens' voices and addressing their inconveniences through Civil Complaints Day has become 'the face of Mungyeong City.'

◆ "Responding to the Climate Crisis: Action Over Slogans"

Mayor Shin also emphasizes practical action in response to the climate crisis. Mungyeong City continues to promote citizen-participatory policies such as limiting engine idling, conducting carbon neutrality campaigns, and expanding the supply of eco-friendly vehicles.

"The climate crisis is a responsibility for our children's future. Small actions accumulate to create significant change. Local governments must also respond with climate policies embedded in daily life."

◆ AI: A New Partner in Policy Design

As the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in government and local administrations becomes more active, Mayor Shin sees AI as "a useful tool for policy research."

"AI is very useful for analyzing vast amounts of data to understand citizens' needs and for simulating various policy models. However, AI is merely a means; the core of policy remains the ability and responsibility to understand citizens' lives."

◆ Design Administration: Citizens as 'Policy Users'

Mayor Shin frequently uses the term 'design administration.' This refers not just to making a city visually appealing, but to administration optimized for 'user experience.'

"Policies should be designed not for the creators, but for the users. Citizens are not mere beneficiaries, but co-designers. All policies in Mungyeong City are designed to be felt and experienced by citizens."

◆ Disability Policies for an Inclusive City

Mungyeong City is strengthening customized policies for each type of disability. These include guaranteeing mobility rights, expanding information accessibility, and increasing cultural participation opportunities for various types of disabilities such as visual, hearing, and physical disabilities.

"Disability is not a single characteristic. Each type of disability brings different inconveniences, and policies must be tailored accordingly. I believe an inclusive city begins with a daily life free from discrimination."

◆ Local Currency as a Sustainable Circular Economy Model

The Mungyeong Love Gift Certificate has become a core element of the local circular economy, going beyond simple distribution. Mayor Shin plans to further expand its connection with youth, small business owners, and vulnerable groups through smart policies based on local economic analysis.

"Local currency is the most efficient tool for protecting the local economy. Moving forward, we will achieve greater effects through data-based distribution management and linkage with welfare policies."

◆ "Politics Is a Tool for Change, Not Power"

Mayor Shin defined politics as "the art of changing lives." He sees it as a tool to eliminate citizens' inconveniences and create a better tomorrow.

"Politics is about action, not words. As mayor, I meet citizens face to face every day, sense the temperature of their lives, and set the direction of municipal administration accordingly. I will focus all my energy on creating change, not on wielding power."

◆ A Message to Citizens

Finally, Mayor Shin emphasized to the citizens of Mungyeong, "Citizens are the true owners of the city."

"Dear citizens of Mungyeong, you are always the owners. Mungyeong City will take the lead in creating small but warm changes. We will always be by your side, running the city together with you."

Mayor Shin Hyunkuk has demonstrated that the value of 'citizen-centered administration' is not just a slogan, but the actual operating principle. His philosophy that politics is not about power, but about the art of changing daily life, is making the future direction of Mungyeong City's administration even clearer.