Gwangju Seogu District Innovates Resident Participation System with "Residents' General Meeting"

Completing Sangmu 2-dong Schedule on the 6th
Revamping the Operation of Residents' General Meetings

Seogu District in Gwangju will complete residents' general meetings in 18 neighborhoods, starting with Pungam-dong in June and concluding with Sangmu 2-dong on the 6th.

Seogu District started with Pungam-dong in June and will complete residents' general meetings in 18 neighborhoods by the 6th, ending with Sangmu 2-dong. Provided by Seogu District, Gwangju

According to Seogu District on the 4th, the residents' general meeting is a representative participatory system in which local residents identify issues themselves and determine village policies through deliberation and discussion.

However, there had been criticism that holding the residents' general meeting alongside local festivals undermined its original purpose. In response, Seogu District completely revamped its operating methods this year.

The residents' general meetings were separated from village festivals, and the venues were moved from outdoor to indoor locations to create a calm and focused environment for discussion. Additionally, to enhance fairness and credibility in agenda selection, the district introduced a "one person, one vote" principle and an online authentication system for identity verification.

As a result, each neighborhood was able to develop a variety of resident-driven agendas through more in-depth discussions and deliberations, including: creating themed parks; the "Good Promise Considerate Parking" campaign; making clean alleyways that are pleasant to walk through; organizing festivals for youth; establishing safe pedestrian paths for everyone; creating "good alleyway commercial districts" where small business owners and residents thrive together; and donation coupons that allow residents to donate while walking.

Residents shared, "As the residents' general meeting has regained its original meaning, it has become a living lesson in democracy for our children," and added, "It was an opportunity to truly feel that our village is changing through the power of the residents."

Kim Ikang, Mayor of Seogu District, emphasized, "The residents' general meeting is the starting point of genuine autonomy, where residents themselves define and solve the village's issues. Moving forward, we will further strengthen a structure in which every resident participates as a policy actor, and realize true village-centered autonomy where resident-led decision-making becomes the norm."