Gapyeong-gun ranked first in the country in the management activity category of the Local Autonomy Competitiveness Index. Gapyeong-gun (Governor Seo Tae-won) ranked first in the country in the management activity category among county-level autonomous organizations, according to an analysis of the Korea Competitiveness Index (KLCI). This is noteworthy because it is a leap forward this year following second place last year.
A military official said on the 22nd, “This achievement is meaningful in that Gapyeong County has proven that its policies aimed at sustainable development and improving the quality of life of residents are effective.”
According to Gapyeong-gun, the Korea Public Autonomy Competitiveness Index is an indicator that has been evaluating the competitiveness of domestic local autonomy since 1996. Developed with the goal of detailed analysis of local autonomous management performance and regional competitiveness, it measures competitiveness every year using official government statistics (80 indicators, 250 data) for 226 local governments across the country. This evaluation, now in its 29th year, has established itself as a standard for local autonomy competitiveness.
In particular, the management activity sector in which Gapyeong-gun ranked first is based on 25 detailed indicators, including civil complaint handling, home health care, financial independence, and cultural tourism expenditures, in 11 areas including public administration, local finance, living environment, and local economy. . Gapyeong-gun achieved excellent results in all categories and ranked first nationwide among county-level local governments.
County Governor Seo Tae-won said, “As a result of the analysis of the Korea Public Autonomy Competitiveness Index, the fact that we were selected from 2nd place last year to 1st place this year is a result of the tangible results of the projects promoted during the 8th popular election,” and “We will work together with over 800 public officials to bring about innovation and change in the county administration and achieve great results next year.” “We will do our best to rank first in the overall competitiveness category.”
Meanwhile, Gapyeong-gun held a ‘Resident Information Session on the Gyeonggi-do Eastern Social Overhead Capital (SOC) Development Plan’ at Music Station 1939 Music Hall on the 21st and announced a specific business plan for balanced regional development and infrastructure expansion. About 100 people, including officials from related departments such as cities, roads, railways, and development projects in Gyeonggi-do and Gapyeong-gun, as well as residents, attended this briefing session.
The ‘Gyeonggi Eastern SOC Grand Development Plan’ was prepared to expand underdeveloped social overhead capital in the eastern part of Gyeonggi-do and strengthen regional competitiveness. Gapyeong-gun announced 13 major road, railroad, and development projects to be included in the plan at a meeting last May. has been proposed. Since then, the military has worked hard to ensure that the SOC development plan is successfully implemented, including several consultations with relevant departments to reflect the project.
Gyeonggi Province plans to collect residents’ opinions on projects proposed by city and county by the end of November and then announce the ‘Final Draft of the Gyeonggi Eastern SOC Grand Development Plan’ in December.
Park Young-sun, director of Gapyeong-gun Construction and Urban Affairs, said, “Of the 13 SOC development plans proposed by our county to Gyeonggi-do, 11 were accepted, and we decided to hold this briefing session to explain the details to the residents of Gyeonggi-do.” “We will continue to cooperate with the military and do our best to ensure that the suggestions made by our military are actively reflected,” he said.
The 13 projects proposed by Gapyeong-gun are △Opening of local road No. 364 (Gapyeong-Hyeonri) △Connecting to the expressway in the northern part of Gyeonggi Province (feeder national road) △Route change and road opening for National Route 37 (Hacheon IC-Goseong) △Sangpan-Jeokmok section Opening of local roads △Jojongcheon Homyeong Bridge construction project △GTX Maseok~Gapyeong~Chuncheon extension △Sinseonbong mountain tourism development △Construction of a water leisure center △Opening of the Gapyeong section of the Gapyeong Dullegil △Gapyeong-gun Hwaakcheon Road construction project △Bukhan River bicycle path maintenance project △Bukhan River bicycle road flooded section improvement project △Waterside within the sewage treatment area It is a zone release. Among these, the Jojongcheon Homyeong Bridge construction project and the release of waterfront areas within the sewage treatment area were not included or classified as mid- to long-term review projects.
Economy Queen Choi Hana reporter photo Gapyeong-gun
How does resident engagement influence the success of local governance initiatives in Gapyeong-gun?
Interview: Time.news Editor and Local Autonomy Expert
Editor: Good morning, and thank you for joining us today. We’re excited to discuss the outstanding achievement of Gapyeong-gun, which recently ranked first in the management activity category of the Local Autonomy Competitiveness Index. To help us understand the significance of this, we have with us Dr. Hyun-woo Lee, an expert in local governance and public administration. Dr. Lee, welcome!
Dr. Lee: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Gapyeong-gun moved from second place to first in this competitive index, which evaluates various aspects of local governance. What does this mean for the residents of Gapyeong-gun?
Dr. Lee: This achievement is incredibly significant for the residents. It not only reflects the effectiveness of the county’s policies but also indicates that the local government is responsive to the needs of its citizens. The fact that they have implemented sustainable development strategies that improve the Quality of Life speaks volumes about the commitment to serving the community effectively.
Editor: The evaluation itself is based on a comprehensive set of criteria, including civil complaint handling and financial independence. Could you elaborate on how such diverse indicators contribute to the overall ranking?
Dr. Lee: Absolutely. The Korea Public Autonomy Competitiveness Index measures various aspects because local governance is multifaceted. For instance, strong civil complaint handling fosters trust between the government and the citizens, while financial independence indicates sound management of resources. All these indicators together create a holistic view of the county’s performance, ensuring that diverse elements like public administration and the local economy are addressed.
Editor: Governor Seo Tae-won highlighted teamwork among about 800 public officials as key to this success. How crucial is collaboration among government officials in achieving such improvements?
Dr. Lee: Collaboration is essential! Local governance thrives on the dynamic interplay between various departments and officials. In Gapyeong-gun’s case, collective efforts translate into innovative solutions for local issues. Such cooperation ensures that multiple perspectives and expertise come together, leading to comprehensive strategies that can meet the community’s diverse needs.
Editor: Interesting! You mentioned earlier the role of sustainable development. How does Gapyeong-gun’s focus on this aspect set it apart, especially now in light of economic and environmental challenges?
Dr. Lee: Sustainable development is becoming increasingly vital. Gapyeong-gun’s proactive stance not only enhances the quality of life but also ensures the longevity of the region’s resources. By integrating sustainability into its policies, the county prepares itself to face future economic and environmental challenges, making it a model for other local governments.
Editor: Recently, Gapyeong-gun also held a resident information session about their Eastern Social Overhead Capital Development Plan. How does engaging residents in such planning processes affect the outcomes of local projects?
Dr. Lee: Engaging residents is paramount for the success of any local initiative. By involving the community in discussions about development plans, the government can gather valuable insights and foster a sense of ownership among the residents. This not only leads to better project design—tailored to meet actual needs—but also enhances transparency and trust in local governance.
Editor: Looking ahead, what challenges do you think Gapyeong-gun might face as it aims to retain its top position in the overall competitiveness category?
Dr. Lee: The primary challenges will be maintaining momentum and ensuring ongoing citizen engagement. As Gapyeong-gun sets ambitious goals, it must remain adaptable to emerging trends and needs, along with continuously evaluating and improving its programs. Additionally, economic fluctuations or changes in administrative framework could impact their efforts, so resilience and innovation will be key.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Lee, for sharing your insights on Gapyeong-gun’s remarkable achievement and the broader implications for local governance. It’s clear that such advancements in efficiency and community integration could serve as a beacon for other local governments.
Dr. Lee: Thank you for having me! It’s exciting to discuss these developments, and I hope more regions will follow Gapyeong-gun’s lead in building a robust and responsive local governance system.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. We will continue to monitor developments in local governance and share stories of innovation and success. Until next time!