Suncheon City (Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu) successfully concluded general residents’ meetings in 24 towns, villages and dongs, ending with Jogok-dong on the 12th of last month, to decide on the 2025 self-governance plan and resident participatory budgeting project.
This residents’ general meeting attracted the largest number of resident participation ever, with 81 autonomous projects to be carried out in 2025 (approximately KRW 1 billion), 281 resident capacity building projects (approximately KRW 4.2 billion), and 387 small-scale facility projects (approximately KRW 6.5 billion). A total of 749 cases (approximately 117 won) were confirmed.
The city is strengthening grassroots resident autonomy through the activation of resident self-governance councils and creating a true local self-governance site where residents themselves solve village problems. Furthermore, by reflecting the voices of residents in city administration, we are accelerating the improvement of residential conditions and responding to population decline and disappearance of local areas.
◇ Realization of grassroots democracy and direct democracy
The city operates a general assembly where local residents directly discover and discuss local agendas through the residents’ self-governing council, and through this, supports the realization of grassroots democracy.
In 2013, the ‘Ordinance on Pilot Implementation and Installation and Operation of Residents’ Autonomy Association’ was enacted and launched for the first time in Jungang-dong, and in 2021, the ‘Suncheon-type Residents’ Autonomy Association’ was fully expanded to all 24 towns, villages and dongs.
The ‘Suncheon-type Residents’ Autonomy Association’, now in its 4th year, has strengthened the authority of residents in the budget planning process in connection with the resident participatory budgeting system, and from 2021, staff dedicated to resident autonomy have been assigned to all 24 towns and villages. In addition, we are sparing no effort in administrative and financial support, such as allocating a budget of 15 billion won, including 1 billion won in resident taxes, to promote self-governance projects and formulate resident participation budgets.
◇ Resident-led community problem solving
At the general assembly of residents of 24 towns, villages and districts held from August 21 to September 12, 81 self-governing projects (approximately KRW 1 billion) to be implemented in 2025 through referendum, 281 resident capacity building projects (approximately KRW 4.2 billion), 387 small facility projects (approximately KRW 6.5 billion) were decided.
The main proposed projects are ▲ cultural experience for children and youth in vulnerable areas ▲ improvement of safe living environment for the elderly ▲ village joint childcare education program ▲ support for diet and mental health of the vulnerable ▲ waste reduction and resource circulation practice project ▲ resident harmony village festival ▲ park facilities, walking trails , a project to improve residential conditions and restore the community, such as an idle space maintenance project.
In particular, in order to promote the 2025 resident tax reduction project decided at the general meeting of residents, a significant budget exceeding the individual resident tax collection for the entire year of Suncheon City (KRW 1 billion as of 2023) is required. It is meaningful in that the resident tax paid by local residents is returned as financial resources for village projects, such as resolving living inconveniences, village development, and environmental projects, as suggested by the residents themselves.
◇ Responding to population decline and local extinction through resident participation
This year’s general assembly was held in parallel with advance voting and online voting to encourage participation from a variety of members, regardless of generation, gender, or disability.
In addition, at each general meeting of residents, many residents and participants from various fields held a performance to attract the medical school of Suncheon National University, which served as a venue for forming a consensus on the hope of attracting a medical school and making decisions so that projects that reflect the opinions of residents can be implemented in the desired direction.
This is expected to contribute to resolving conflicts through a residents’ general meeting where pending projects are shared and democratic decision-making is held, as well as creating ‘Suncheon, a city where three generations want to live together.’
◇ Completion of public-private-academic cooperative governance where residents and administration become one
Through a business agreement with Suncheon National University, the city is cooperating with local universities, such as appointing college students as honorary resident autonomy committee members and supporting the opening of resident autonomy courses, to strengthen residents’ autonomy capabilities by introducing the basic concepts, necessities, and best practices as well as the direction of the residents’ autonomy association.
Meanwhile, in order to learn about Suncheon City’s case of resident autonomy, a total of 608 residents and public officials from 25 regions conducted benchmarking in 2023 alone, and inquiries are continuing this year as well.
A city official said, “The residents’ self-governing council is a representative body where residents can directly decide on village affairs, so the interest of residents is essential,” and added, “We ask for your active participation so that we can bring about necessary changes in the village.”
Economy Queen Reporter Kim Hong-mi / Photo Suncheon City
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2024-10-03 01:35:31