First 'Direct Mayor's Office' session held at Gyeongan Market merchants' association
Gwangju Mayor Park Gwan-yeol has launched a new initiative called the "Direct Mayor's Office" to strengthen on-site communication with residents.
Park held the first session Wednesday at the Gyeongan Market merchants' association office, engaging directly with the community on revitalizing the traditional market and resolving local issues.
Held under the theme "Beyond Communication — Going Direct," the session brought together Park, the policy chief, the administrative and civil affairs bureau director, the autonomous cooperation division head, officials from complaint-handling departments, Gyeongan Market merchants' association representatives and local residents.
Discussions focused on improving the market environment, with key agenda items including upgrades to parking facilities, waterproofing and column repainting work on the arcade, and repairs to aging fog-spray systems.
Particularly notable was the on-site approach: officials from relevant departments reviewed residents' requests in person and discussed how to address and support each one on the spot.
A follow-up consultation session lasting about 140 minutes allowed merchants and residents to voice their concerns and share ideas for boosting the local economy. The city said it would review all requests submitted that day through the relevant departments and incorporate them into city administration, addressing each in turn.
"This Direct Mayor's Office session was a chance to go directly into the lives of residents and communicate without being bound by formality," Park said. "We will continue to hold Direct Mayor's Office sessions that find answers on the ground, and pursue an open administration that citizens can truly feel."
pjh@heraldcorp.com
