Gwangju Buk-gu Council Holds First Resident Briefing on Overseas Trip

Transparent Disclosure of Achievements and Expenses from Japan Visit
Proposing Models for Care, Disaster Response, and Disability Welfare

On the 16th, the Gwangju Buk-gu Council directly reported the results of its overseas business trip to Japan to local residents. This briefing session, which also included a public disclosure of tax expenditure details, was the first of its kind since the council’s establishment.

Gwangju Bukgu Council is holding a residents' briefing session after returning from a business trip to Japan on the 16th. Provided by Gwangju Bukgu Council

The delegation consisted of seven council members, including delegation leader Choi Ki-young, and two staff members. From July 14 to 18, they visited Fukuoka, Oita, and Kitakyushu in Japan for a five-day, four-night schedule. During the trip, they explored sites related to welfare, the local economy, and culture and sports, and sought ways to apply these experiences to Buk-gu.

During the briefing, the council disclosed details of the trip’s expenses and specific activities. In the following Q&A session, residents asked questions and shared their opinions, to which the council members responded sincerely.

The delegation highlighted the need to establish a Buk-gu-style integrated care model and a resident-participatory disaster response system, citing examples such as the Fukuoka Care Practice Dissemination Center and the Citizens’ Disaster Prevention Center. They also referenced the Japanese welfare organization “Taiyo no Ie” (House of the Sun), proposing the introduction of customized vocational training programs and the expansion of employment for people with disabilities through agreements with local businesses as part of policies to support the independence of people with disabilities.

Choi stated, “Because this trip was funded by residents’ valuable taxes, we arranged this session to transparently report the results,” adding, “We will continue to communicate with residents and create an open, trustworthy council.”