"Residents Take Center Stage"... Unique New Year's Greeting Event in Gwangju Seo-gu Draws Attention

Residents Take the Stage to Share Changes in Seo-gu

On the 6th, Seo-gu District Office in Gwangju held a New Year's greeting event at Deulbul Hall, Seo-gu Office, attended by heads of related organizations, social and local community leaders, and residents of Seo-gu. Departing from the traditional guest-centered format, residents took the stage to directly share and communicate changes in Seo-gu through a segment called "15 Minutes to Change Seo-gu." Provided by Seo-gu District Office, Gwangju

On January 6, Seo-gu District in Gwangju held a unique New Year's greeting event at Deulbul Hall in the Seo-gu District Office, where residents took center stage. This year's event broke away from the traditional guest-centered format, drawing attention as residents took to the stage to directly share and communicate changes happening in Seo-gu.

During the "15 Minutes to Change Seo-gu (Seobasi 15)" segment, residents who have led changes in the fields of local governance, economy, and welfare participated as presenters, delivering their vivid voices from the field. "Seobasi 15" is a communication program introduced last year by Seo-gu, designed to share the diverse experiences and knowledge of public officials.

Im Hugun, chairman of the Hwajeong 1-dong Residents' Council, spoke as the representative for the local governance field. Under the theme "True Village Autonomy Where Residents Take the Lead," he explained, "Through the establishment of a regional hub-linked system and village BI (Brand Identity) policy, governance is shifting from an administration-led model to a more horizontal structure where residents lead and collaborate. Village autonomy, enjoyed and created together by residents, is breathing new vitality into the community," he said.

In the economic sector, Park Jian, president of the Sangmu Market Merchants Association, took the stage as a presenter.

Park, under the theme "A Good Economy City Starting from the Neighborhood," stated, "By designating alley-type shopping districts through the joint efforts of the administration and merchants, we are achieving results that benefit both consumers and small business owners. This year, I expect this trend to spread further, making the recovery of the local economy even more tangible."

For the welfare sector, Wi Bohwan, a member of Seo-gu Honors, presented under the theme "A Warm Caring City Where Neighbors Look After Each Other." Introducing examples of sharing by Seo-gu Honors, he said, "Small acts of sharing are nurturing a warm community culture of caring for one another throughout Seo-gu. Resident-led care is the strength of Seo-gu's welfare."

Additionally, Seo-gu screened a video titled "A Day in Seo-gu Is Once Again Filled with the Lives of Residents," featuring nine teams including community activists, merchants, children, and the village choir, to deliver New Year's greetings from the residents.

About 200 people attended the event, including resident representatives, members of the National Assembly, heads of related organizations, and city and district council members, to celebrate the start of the new year together.

Kim Ikang, Mayor of Seo-gu, stated, "This New Year's greeting event was an opportunity to reaffirm that each and every resident is the protagonist shaping the changes and future of Seo-gu. This year, we will make administration in 'Good City Seo-gu' more flexible, welfare more thorough, and the economy warmer, striving to build Seo-gu as a happy community filled with positive influence."