On July 15, the first 'Direct Communication Office' of Gwangju City under the 9th elected administration was opened at the Gyeongan Market merchants' association office, just two weeks after the mayor took office. During the two-hour session, merchants raised concerns about a lack of parking spaces deterring customers, leaks in the arcade during rain, and issues with mist sprayers not functioning in summer.
City officials, including the policy director and department heads, were present to directly assess and explain the feasibility of each suggestion in front of the merchants. This marked the beginning of the 9th elected administration in Gwangju.
October 29 marks 'Local Autonomy and Balanced Development Day,' commemorating 35 years since the revival of local councils in 1991. Local autonomy has undoubtedly grown during this time, but there are still important reflections to consider.
How many hurdles must citizens still overcome for their voices to reach local governance? Through complaint channels, responsible departments, and approval lines, citizens' words often become paperwork, which then turns into processing timelines. While communication has always been emphasized, the time it takes for that communication to yield results has not significantly decreased.
This is why Gwangju City has chosen the term 'direct' in addition to 'communication.' If communication is about listening to citizens' voices, then direct communication holds the administration accountable for ensuring those voices translate into results. The mayor's promise during the inauguration to be a 'directly connected mayor' rather than one who merely receives reports was a declaration to change the operational methods of governance.
In the first 100 days after taking office, Gwangju City visited 399 locations. The Direct Communication Office was opened at Gyeongan Market, Gyeonggi Gwangju Station, and Chohwal Station, allowing not only the mayor but also department heads and team leaders to engage with citizens through the 'Direct Field 100 Days' initiative, meeting with 4,570 residents.
During this process, 216 reports of inconveniences and policy suggestions were received. Issues such as traffic congestion in the Taejeon and Gosan areas, a lack of spaces for youth, and delays in long-stalled projects revealed the realities of Gwangju that were not visible from within city hall.
At a talk concert on the 15th, attended by over 500 citizens, the aim was not to showcase achievements but to explain how the demands collected on-site translate into policies and what is causing delays. It was a public accountability session where the administration committed to responding to what it had heard.
Direct communication must not become a one-way street for administration. A notable moment occurred on the 19th at a capacity-building training session attended by over 350 residents' council members.
The Gwangju City Residents' Council voluntarily read a resolution regarding the water pipeline issue for the Yongin semiconductor national industrial complex, expressing support for the national semiconductor industry while demanding appropriate coexistence measures from the government for the pipeline that runs through Gwangju.
When the mayor stood in front of the Blue House, it represented 'the mayor's demand.' When residents heard the resolution, it became 'Gwangju's demand.' This is what community governance is about—residents collaboratively addressing local issues and finding solutions, which is the strongest foundation of local autonomy.
Since the designation of the Paldang Water Source Protection Area in 1975, Gwangju has endured overlapping regulations for over 50 years to protect the drinking water of the metropolitan area. Now, the task remains to transform that sacrifice into opportunities for the next generation.
The mayor cannot walk this path alone. Citizens' voices must connect directly to administration, and changes in administration must directly impact citizens' lives. When this cycle remains unbroken, local autonomy becomes a part of daily life rather than just a system.
As we mark 35 years since the revival of local councils, the next step must be to move from 'participation' to 'direct communication.' The past 100 days have set the direction; the remaining time is to prove that direction through results. On October 29, Gwangju City will again go to the field, as the answers from administration are always found there.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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