Park Kwan-yeol, the mayor of Gwangju, emphasized on August 5 that "administration must find answers not at the desk but in the field," highlighting the importance of direct administration.
Mayor Park is operating a 'Direct Mayor's Office' to engage with citizens in the disability welfare sector, continuing his focus on field-centered governance.
On this day, he opened a 'Direct Mayor's Office' at the Welfare Administration Town, where he listened to the concerns of disability organizations and welfare centers, discussing ways to improve the situation.
This initiative is part of the core philosophy of his administration's ninth term, termed '100 Days of Direct Field Engagement,' aimed at bringing the mayor directly to the citizens.
During his visit to the disability welfare center on the 3rd and 4th floors of the Welfare Administration Town, Mayor Park toured rehabilitation therapy rooms and program operations, meeting with users and staff to assess facility operations and welfare services.
He also visited the offices of disability organizations on the 2nd floor, openly listening to the inconveniences faced during facility use and areas needing systemic improvement.
Notably, the roundtable was held at the disability cafe on the first floor of the Welfare Administration Town, where participants enjoyed beverages made by disabled workers, creating a more relaxed atmosphere for discussion.
Moving away from a formal meeting room, attendees expressed satisfaction, stating, "We could talk comfortably with the mayor," and described the gathering as a meaningful opportunity to convey the voices from the field.
At this meeting, disability organizations presented various policy proposals, including improvements to welfare facility usage, expanded support for disabled individuals' independence, and enhancements to welfare services. Mayor Park responded, saying, "We will carefully review the suggestions raised in the field with relevant departments to ensure they lead to practical improvements."
He added, "Listening directly to the small voices of socially vulnerable individuals, including those with disabilities, is the core value of direct administration," emphasizing that the goal of his ninth term is to create a Gwangju where everyone can feel changes in their daily lives and be happy.
This Direct Mayor's Office is being recognized as a new model of 'field communication administration,' where the mayor sits down with citizens to hear their issues and seek solutions together.
Local citizens have responded positively, noting, "I felt sincerity in the mayor coming directly to listen rather than waiting in the office for administration."
Users of the welfare center also expressed hope, saying, "If the mayor listens to even the smallest inconveniences, welfare administration will change," and they hope the Direct Mayor's Office continues to operate.
Mayor Park concluded, "I will continue to approach citizens more closely and swiftly connect their opinions to policies, promoting citizen-centered administration."
Meanwhile, he plans to expand field-centered communication administration through '100 Days of Direct Field Engagement,' visiting various citizen life areas, including welfare, economy, safety, and transportation, to quickly reflect citizens' voices in governance.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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