Seoul's Yongsan-gu district will hold a series of neighborhood briefing sessions titled "Dong Briefings with Residents" over nine days from Wednesday through July 28, with District Mayor Kim Kyung-dae visiting all 16 dong neighborhoods. The tour marks the first official public engagement with residents since the launch of the ninth popularly elected term and is expected to serve as the starting point for an open, communicative style of governance — sharing neighborhood conditions and hearing residents' views directly.
At each session, the dong chief will report to residents on last year's project outcomes, this year's plans, and local issues, while Kim will present the district's governing direction and core policies for the ninth popularly elected term. A district official said the sessions are expected to help residents better understand local issues and district policy, and to foster closer communication between the administration and the community.
This round of briefings breaks from the traditionally formal, top-down format: each event opens with an informal tea gathering between Kim and resident representatives before the main program begins. Kim will personally greet and see off every resident as they enter and leave the venue, signaling a commitment to genuine, two-way communication.
Each event will draw about 200 attendees — including the district mayor, National Assembly lawmakers, Seoul Metropolitan Council and district council members, heads of civic organizations, and local residents — and will proceed in the following order: a pre-event promotional video screening, the national ceremony, guest introductions and congratulatory remarks, the dong chief's briefing, the district mayor's presentation, and a commemorative photo.
Kim plans to visit one or two dong neighborhoods per day across all 16. The schedule runs as follows: Yongsan 2-ga and Namyeong on Wednesday; Cheongpa on Thursday; Wonhyo-ro 1 and Wonhyo-ro 2 on Monday, July 20; Hyochang and Itaewon 1 on Tuesday, July 21; Huam and Yongmun on Wednesday, July 22; Ichon 1 and Ichon 2 on Thursday, July 23; Itaewon 2 and Hangang-ro on Friday, July 24; Hannam on July 27; and Seobinggo and Bogwang on July 28 — with morning and afternoon sessions as applicable. Venues will be selected to suit each neighborhood's conditions, including the main halls of dong community centers.
"Having earned residents' precious support on my third attempt, I feel an even greater sense of responsibility to lead this district well," Kim said. "The ninth popularly elected term will start with communication with residents and be completed in the field." He added that he would bring the energy and drive befitting a district mayor in his 50s, personally canvassing all 16 dong neighborhoods on foot, carefully examining each area's issues, faithfully reflecting residents' opinions in district governance, and building a Yongsan where people can feel change in their daily lives.
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