Uijeongbu City Engages with Citizens in Urban Forest
'Singok District On-site Tea Time' Held at Ja-il Forest Bath
On July 30, Uijeongbu City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Donggeun) held the 'Singok District On-site Tea Time' at Ja-il Forest Bath, engaging in direct communication with citizens.
Mayor Donggeun Kim is holding an "On-site Tea Time in Singok District" at Jailsan Forest Bathing Happiness Sharing Woodworking Workshop on the 30th. Photo by Uijeongbu City
The event was attended by Mayor Kim Donggeun, An Jongseong, Director of the Singok and Songsan Districts, department heads from the Singok District (Jangam-dong, Singok 1-dong, Singok 2-dong, Jagum-dong), heads of local organizations, and other resident representatives.
This tea time marked the first case in the Singok District of shifting from the traditional explanation-centered communication method to a new approach, where citizens directly observe and experience the changes in the district and participate in city administration.
The event began at the Ja-il Forest Bath’s Happy Sharing Woodworking Studio, where the current status of the Ja-il-dong Ecological Village Project was shared. This was followed by a promotional video introducing the operation of the Ja-il Forest Bath, helping residents better understand the facility.
During the subsequent communication session, resident representatives proposed the relocation and construction of the Jangam-dong Community Center and improvements to the parking environment in the Jagum-dong rural area. The city plans to have the relevant departments review these proposals and will inform the respective neighborhoods and proposers of the progress.
At the end of the event, a guided tour of the Ja-il Forest Bath was conducted by a forest interpreter. Residents walked along the forest trails, experiencing firsthand the value and transformation of the Ja-il Forest Bath, where the natural environment and citizen amenities are harmoniously integrated, thereby broadening their interest and empathy toward city administration.
Mayor Donggeun Kim is taking a commemorative photo with attendees after holding the "Singok Area On-site Tea Time" at Jailsan Forest Bathing Site on the 30th. Photo by Uijeongbu City
Ja-il Forest Bath, which officially opened in March last year, is Uijeongbu's first forest recreation facility. It has been developed in stages since 2018 and has established itself as an urban nature retreat, blending various tree species and ecological features. Serving as a hub for ecological education, health promotion, and community activities, it has recently gained attention as a sustainable regional model in connection with the Ja-il-dong Ecological Village Project.
Mayor Kim Donggeun said, "Ja-il Forest Bath is the first forest recreation facility created by Uijeongbu City, and it was very meaningful to share the journey of change by touring this place together with our residents. Moving forward, we will continue to create opportunities to communicate and empathize with citizens on-site as we witness the evolving face of Uijeongbu together."
Meanwhile, the city is expanding the 'District On-site Tea Time' as a regular communication platform where residents can directly experience the site, understand policies, and build empathy with city administration.
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