Gwangmyeong Mayor Park Seung-won is drawing attention for institutionalizing a 'citizen sovereignty' policy that places the dignity and fundamental rights of citizens at the center of administration.
On September 18, Mayor Park announced that the 'Ordinance on the Creation and Support of Constitution-Friendly City in Gwangmyeong' was approved during the 302nd regular session of the Gwangmyeong City Council.
The ordinance is set to be promulgated in October and will take effect thereafter.
This ordinance aims to reflect the fundamental principles of popular sovereignty, the guarantee of fundamental rights, and the values of democracy and decentralization throughout Gwangmyeong's administration.
Mayor Park clarified that the establishment of this ordinance is intended to empower citizens as active participants in the policy-making process rather than mere subjects of administration.
He stated, "The constitution should not just be a value confined to legal texts; it must serve as a standard that protects citizens' lives and guides the direction of administration. We will create a city where the dignity and fundamental rights of citizens are at the center, and where citizen sovereignty translates into real rights."
Under the ordinance, Mayor Park is required to establish and implement a 'Basic Plan for Constitution-Friendly City' every five years, along with annual implementation plans based on this basic plan.
Procedures will also be established to review and evaluate progress, ensuring that the policies of the constitution-friendly city are sustainable and effective.
The roles of public officials are also clearly defined. They are expected to reflect the values promoted by the constitution in their duties, protect citizens' rights, and work to expand citizen participation in policy-making.
Additionally, a 'Constitution-Friendly City Creation Committee' will be established to review key policies and projects aimed at creating a constitution-friendly city. The committee will consist of up to 15 members, including experts, city councilors, and citizen representatives.
Mayor Park plans to implement tailored constitutional education for citizens and public officials, as well as expand forums and deliberative programs that discuss local issues alongside constitutional values.
Furthermore, he aims to promote cooperation among local governments that advance constitutional values and citizen sovereignty by forming a 'Constitution-Friendly City Local Government Council.'
Mayor Park has previously emphasized citizen participation and decentralization as key directions for his administration. The establishment of this ordinance appears to be a measure to expand these policy directions into institutional principles aligned with constitutional values.
Meanwhile, Mayor Park plans to gradually implement citizen constitutional education and participation programs, reflecting citizens' fundamental rights and participation throughout the administration.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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