Dongdaemun District Wins 'Active Administration Award'... Achievements in AI and Carbon-Neutral Administrative Innovation

On October 1, Dongdaemun District in Seoul (Mayor Lee Pilhyung) was selected as the only recipient among basic local governments in the local government category at the 2025 Active Administration Awards Ceremony held at the National Assembly Library Grand Auditorium.

Lee Pilhyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun District (right), is taking a commemorative photo at the 2025 Active Administration Awards Ceremony. Provided by Dongdaemun District Office.

This awards ceremony was organized to discover and promote outstanding cases of public interest, creativity, and sustainability among local governments, councils, public institutions, and companies nationwide.

Dongdaemun District received high marks for being the first local government in the country to introduce the paid version of ChatGPT to 24 departments and provide artificial intelligence (AI) education to all 732 employees, thereby enhancing the organization’s overall AI capabilities. Through the “Generative AI Challenge,” the district generated 46 innovative ideas, and by operating the “AI Innovation Committee” and “Solomon Task Force,” it institutionalized problem-solving and organizational culture innovation.

The district also stood out in the area of climate crisis response. As the first autonomous district in Seoul to declare a “2050 Carbon-Neutral Future City,” Dongdaemun established the “Carbon Talks Dongdaemun” governance, with the participation of 340,000 residents, reducing over 4,300 tons of greenhouse gases annually in the fields of buildings, transportation, waste, and green spaces. In addition, the district introduced a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) private investment model to ease the burden on public finances.

Mayor Lee Pilhyung stated, “AI and carbon neutrality are key pillars that simultaneously enhance the innovation and sustainability of administration,” adding, “With this award as an opportunity, we will combine smart administration that residents can feel with the practice of carbon neutrality to create Dongdaemun as a future innovative city.”