Changing the Timeline for Permits... Sangju City Stands Out in National Architectural Administration Evaluation

Excellence Award in Architectural Administration Evaluation by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
Official Recognition for Citizen-Centered Administrative Innovation

Sangju City received the Excellence Award in the 2025 Architectural Administration Evaluation organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, earning recognition for achieving a qualitative leap in the administration of architectural permits.

The official national evaluation confirmed that the city has simultaneously improved administrative speed, safety, and citizen trust.

Photo by Kwon Byunggeon, Sangju City Hall

The Architectural Administration Evaluation is an annual system that comprehensively assesses the capabilities of 246 local governments nationwide in all aspects of architectural administration. The main evaluation criteria include the rationality of permit procedures, efficiency of processing, safety management systems for buildings, and the adequacy of maintenance. Rather than simply counting the number of cases processed, the evaluation focuses on the completeness of administration and the level of satisfaction felt by citizens.

In this year’s evaluation, Sangju City scored highly for its citizen-centered approach to architectural administration. By strengthening preliminary consultations and standardizing work processes, the city increased the predictability of permit procedures. It also established a thorough on-site safety inspection and post-management system, which effectively enhanced public safety. Notably, the speed and consistency in handling architecture-related civil complaints improved significantly, boosting administrative credibility and contributing to the Excellence Award win.

Sangju City has been working to enhance the expertise of its architectural administration by strengthening staff capabilities and upgrading internal systems. The city has shifted its focus from formal administration to tangible service improvements that citizens can truly experience, concentrating its efforts on delivering both “fast permits” and a “safe building environment.”

A Sangju City official stated, “This award is the result of the ongoing efforts of all staff involved in architectural administration and the cooperation of our citizens. We will continue to develop administrative services that citizens can trust by ensuring both speed and safety in our architectural administration.”

This Excellence Award from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is seen as a symbolic achievement, demonstrating that Sangju City is elevating architectural administration from a simple permit process to a core administrative function that enhances urban competitiveness and the quality of life for its citizens.