Gwangju Seogu Selects Hong Seokgi as This Year's 'MVP Public Official'

Implementation of the 'Alley Economy 119 Project'

Seogu District in Gwangju has selected Hong Seokgi, Director of the Seogu Small Business Management Support Center, as the '2025 MVP Public Official of the Year.'

Seogu District Office selected Seokgi Hong, Director of Seogu Small Business Management Support Center, as the '2025 MVP Public Official of the Year.' Provided by Gwangju Seogu District Office.

On December 31, the district announced that the final winner was determined by combining the results of resident and public official surveys with the evaluation scores of the MVP Selection Committee, targeting seven quarterly MVP public officials this year.

Director Hong Seokgi planned and implemented the 'Alley Economy 119 Project' using Onnuri gift certificates, taking a leading role in boosting sales for small businesses and revitalizing the local commercial district.

In particular, based on a close collaborative system with merchant associations, the Department of Resident Autonomy, and 18 neighborhoods, Seogu became the first in the nation to designate the entire district as an alley-type shopping district. By significantly expanding the number of Onnuri gift certificate affiliated stores, the initiative contributed to reducing residents' living expenses by more than 12 billion won.

The Alley Economy 119 Project received the Prime Minister's Award at the 'Excellent Local Autonomy Policy Competition' held at Sarangjae in the National Assembly in November. It also won the Grand Prize at the 'Korea Local Autonomy Management Awards' and was honored with the Minister of the Interior and Safety Award at the '2025 Korea Small Business Owners Conference.'

Director Hong Seokgi stated, "This MVP award is the result of the collective efforts of both merchants and public officials who worked together in the field over the past year. Going forward, I will continue to strive to create a Seogu-style alley commercial district model where merchants can achieve self-sufficiency and culture, tourism, and consumption are interconnected."

Kim Ikang, Mayor of Seogu District, said, "Director Hong Seokgi is a public official who has solved the difficulties of small business owners by working directly in the field, believing that the answer lies on site. Seogu will continue to pursue field-oriented and resident-centered administration to revitalize the alley economy and boost the local economy."