Seocho-gu Selects 24 Resident-Driven Budget Projects Worth W2.02b

"We will put our heads together with residents and work to ensure that diverse voices are reflected in the budget," Seocho-gu District Mayor Jeon Seong-su said.

Jeon made the remarks Monday after convening a general assembly of the participatory budget committee on the fifth floor of the district office, where he formally approved 24 projects totaling 2.02 billion won ($1.47 million) under the "2027 Seocho-gu Participatory Budget" program, selected on the basis of a resident vote.

The participatory budget system allows residents to take part directly in the budget-drafting process — from proposing projects through deliberation to final selection by resident vote.

The district accepted project proposals from March through June, then conducted feasibility reviews by relevant departments and neighborhood council discussions before the participatory budget committee selected candidates for the resident vote at a deliberation session on Aug. 4.

An online resident vote was then held through the district's e-participation system from Aug. 10 to Aug. 23, allowing residents to choose directly which projects they considered necessary for their neighborhoods.

Among the 24 approved projects, several drew attention for reflecting fresh ideas from residents. Selected projects include the installation of a "senior playground" where elderly residents can enjoy leisure activities and help prevent dementia, and the installation of yellow safety fencing along elementary school commuting routes to improve children's safety — proposals identified through the eyes of residents who know their neighborhoods best.

A number of projects closely tied to residents' daily lives were also included. Those chosen by residents cover replacing aging equipment in children's parks, installing road heating cables on slopes prone to snow and ice in winter, and setting up pedestrian alert signage along the Seocho IC ramp section.

The selected projects will be incorporated into Seocho-gu's 2027 budget proposal and are subject to final approval by the district council.

"Through the participatory budget process, residents are identifying what the administration has overlooked and turning those findings into real policy — and that will transform Seocho into an even better city to live in," Jeon said. "Going forward, we will continue to put our heads together with residents and communicate closely, so that the diverse voices of our community are properly reflected in the budget."