Visiting Gangseo District Office for a Hands-On Public Administration Experience
On November 7, Gangseo District in Seoul (Mayor Jin Gyohun) announced that fourth-grade students from Naebalsan Elementary School visited the district office to discuss local issues and experience public administration firsthand.
Jin Gyohun, Mayor of Gangseo District (center), is sitting face-to-face with students from Naebalsan Elementary School on the 7th in the main conference room of Gangseo District Office, discussing local issues. Provided by Gangseo District Office.
This meeting was prompted when the students, as part of their social studies project on “Identifying and Solving Problems in Our Community,” sent letters to the mayor highlighting inconveniences around their school. Mayor Jin stated, “It would be a pity to only communicate through letters,” and invited the students to the district office in person.
On that day, 23 students from Class 5 of the fourth grade at Naebalsan Elementary School visited Gangseo District Office and participated in various programs, including watching a district promotional video, a conversation with the mayor, experiencing a “One-Day Mayor” program, and a tour of the Gangseo Star Light Space Science Center.
During the conversation with the mayor, students asked questions from their perspective, such as, “Electric scooters are parked everywhere and it’s dangerous-can anything be done about it?”, “What does Gangseo District do better than other districts?”, and “What restaurants do you recommend, Mayor?”
Mayor Jin responded, “To prevent illegal parking of electric scooters, we have established 36 parking zones for personal mobility devices near subway stations and deployed staff to relocate abandoned scooters to safe areas. We are also strengthening support policies for socially vulnerable groups, including the elderly and people with disabilities.”
When one student mentioned, “My dream keeps changing,” Mayor Jin encouraged them by saying, “When I was young, my dreams changed often too, but my desire to do work that helps others never changed. I hope you continue to nurture your curiosity and warm heart, and discover your dreams through various experiences.”
During the subsequent “One-Day Mayor” experience, the students visited the mayor’s office and, using an electronic information board, learned about the district’s landscape and the status of redevelopment and reconstruction projects, gaining a sense of the real work of public administration. After the visit to the district office, the students moved to the Gangseo Star Light Space Science Center, where they participated in science activities such as a constellation lecture, a visit to the planetarium, and making space models.
Mayor Jin Gyohun said, “This meeting showed that public administration is not something distant, but rather something that happens right beside you, as we work together to address concerns. Adults also learn from the creative suggestions of children. We will continue to address even the smallest inconveniences and risks without overlooking them.”
Jin Gyohun, Mayor of Gangseo District Office (right), is explaining the major projects and current status of Gangseo District to students of Naebalsan Elementary School through an electronic display board in the mayor's office on the 7th. Provided by Gangseo District Office.
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