Guri's citizen-report program turns one-minute videos into city fixes

"If residents film it on their smartphones, Guri will change."

The city of Guri has launched a civic-participation program called "That's Not Right!" through which residents report everyday problems, the city verifies and fixes them, and the entire process is captured in short videos shared with the public. The initiative debuted alongside the start of the ninth elected-term administration.

Since opening for submissions on Aug. 6, the program had received 74 reports as of Friday, 68 of which had already been resolved, the city said.

"That's Not Right!" invites residents to flag everyday hazards and inconveniences — cracked or uneven sidewalk pavers, dangerous crosswalks, trash-strewn alleyways, environmental concerns, and broken park or exercise equipment. Residents submit a report, the relevant city department visits the scene to verify and address the issue, and each month two cases are selected and turned into short-form before-and-after videos released to the public.

The program goes beyond simply logging complaints. By presenting the full cycle — from report to fix to visible change — in a single video, residents can see for themselves how their city has improved.

"A one-minute video you shoot becomes the first step toward a safer, more convenient Guri," Mayor Shin Dong-hwa said, urging residents to take an active part.

To submit a report, residents film a vertical video of up to one minute showing the location and a brief description of the problem, then send it to the city's KakaoTalk channel.

The relevant city department reviews each submission, conducts an on-site inspection and carries out the necessary improvements. Once resolved, the case is produced as a before-and-after short-form video and posted on the city's YouTube channel. Each month, two selected contributors receive a gift voucher worth 10,000 won ($7).

The program is open year-round to anyone with an interest in Guri.

"Your one minute will change Guri's tomorrow," Mayor Shin said. "A city is not completed by administration alone. When the attention and participation of each and every resident come together, Guri will become a safer, more livable city — one where citizens are the true mayor."