Dongjak-gu said it will launch an "open district mayor's office" on Tuesday to strengthen on-the-ground communication with residents.
District Mayor Ryu Sam-young pledged in his inaugural address on July 1, when he took office for the ninth directly elected term, to "remove barriers to the district office and operate an open mayor's office on the first floor." The launch marks the fulfillment of that promise.
The open office is located on the first floor of the Dongjak-gu district office, near the main entrance. Walk-in meetings with the district mayor — held under the name "Harmonious Dialogue Day" — will take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m.
Any resident may visit on those days and speak directly with the district mayor without a prior appointment. Staff from the relevant department may join the meeting if needed.
However, matters subject to separate legal proceedings — including administrative appeals and administrative litigation — as well as disputes over private rights, are excluded from the scope of complaints that can be handled through the office.
The schedule may be adjusted depending on district administration circumstances.
Beyond the designated dialogue sessions, the open office will also operate on a walk-in basis on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A dedicated staff member will be on hand at all times to receive residents seeking a meeting with the district mayor, review and process any complaints that arise from those meetings, and maintain follow-up records.
Residents with additional inquiries may contact the Dongjak-gu district office's audit officer.
"We set up the open mayor's office to lower the threshold of the district office and engage more closely with residents," Ryu said. "Whenever you feel comfortable, please come in and share your thoughts — we will think them through together and make sure they are faithfully reflected in district policy to bring about real change."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
