"Even the Smallest Voices..." Damyang County Concludes 'Dialogue with Residents'

Strengthening Resident-Centered Policies Through Field Administration
Listening to Voices on Infrastructure Improvements and Daily Safety

Jung Chulwon, the mayor of Damyang County, concluded the first "Dialogue with County Residents" of the 8th local government term, which began on June 9 in Damyang-eup, on the 5th. Provided by Damyang County

Damyang County in South Jeolla Province successfully concluded its first "Dialogue with County Residents" of the 8th local government term on the 5th, an event that began on June 9 in Damyang-eup.

This round of dialogues was held under the theme of "Fulfilling Promises to County Residents On-Site" since the launch of the 8th local government. The focus was on explaining key county policies and current issues, and seeking solutions by discussing matters closely related to residents' daily lives together with the community.

County Mayor Jung Chulwon personally visited 325 villages over the past three months to hear directly from residents and share the direction of county administration, collecting firsthand feedback from the field.

The dialogues were conducted in a format where residents gathered by village to freely share their opinions. Mayor Jung answered questions directly, and, when necessary, relevant department heads accompanied him to provide detailed explanations of specific measures.

Although the schedule was briefly interrupted by heavy rains in July, the county adjusted the timetable and continued to fulfill its commitments, maintaining field-oriented administration despite abnormal weather conditions.

The most common suggestions from the field were related to improving rural infrastructure, such as expanding and paving farm roads and access routes, and maintaining irrigation and drainage channels. Other frequently raised issues included removing undergrowth, pest control, resolving inconveniences at senior centers, and installing closed-circuit televisions (CCTV) and streetlights-matters closely tied to residents' daily lives.

The county immediately addressed issues that could be resolved on the spot, while mid- to long-term tasks are being thoroughly reviewed by the relevant departments. Progress on these matters is being communicated in writing to those who made the suggestions, and the county plans to manage them continuously through quarterly inspections until completion, aiming to deliver tangible changes that residents can feel.

Residents expressed their appreciation, saying, "This is the first time the county mayor has come to our village to have a dialogue." In particular, elderly residents and those who rarely had opportunities to voice their concerns said, "We are grateful that even our small requests are being heard."

Mayor Jung emphasized, "The dialogue with residents is a process to understand their lives and find solutions together. Moving forward, I will continue to pursue resident-centered policies through field administration that does not overlook even the smallest voices."

He added, "I ask for your understanding that not every request can be addressed immediately due to budget constraints or urgency. However, I will make every effort to ensure that all suggestions are followed up and ultimately resolved."