Mayor Lee Jae-jun's 'Suwon New Light Meetings' Significantly Narrow the Distance with Citizens

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-seong] The "2025 New Light Meetings—Suwon, Listening to Your Hearts," where Suwon Special City Mayor Lee Jae-jun visits all 44 neighborhoods in the city to meet citizens and discuss city administration plans, is receiving strong support from residents.

The "2025 New Light Meetings," which began at Maegyō-dong on September 8, reached the halfway point by October 24, having been held in 23 neighborhoods.

The "2025 New Light Meetings" are drawing citizen participation through a notably different approach from previous years. Last year, the meetings grouped 3 to 6 neighborhoods by district and held them in large venues such as gymnasiums and concert halls. This year, however, the meetings visit all 44 neighborhoods to meet residents by district.

As a result, the distance between Mayor Lee Jae-jun and residents has become much closer, and participants have become more diverse. Beyond neighborhood organization members, participants now include parents, university students, teenagers, apartment residents' representatives, daycare directors, and elementary, middle, and high school principals from various segments of society.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun concisely introduces city administration plans and each neighborhood's village plans, then takes on the role of moderator to engage residents in conversation. Residents ask questions and make suggestions to Mayor Lee Jae-jun.

Questions from Residents, Answers from Mayor Lee Jae-jun in Real-Time Q&A Format

Conversations with residents follow a "real-time Q&A" format. There are no predetermined questions or formats. The mayor picks up a microphone, walks through the audience, points to residents raising their hands, and takes their questions.

When a resident asks a question, the mayor responds immediately, and heads of relevant divisions sometimes provide supplementary answers. Occasionally, discussions between Mayor Lee Jae-jun and residents take place.

At the Pajang-dong New Light Meeting on the 23rd, when the parent association president of Dongwon High School said, "School area traffic during morning commute is congested and poses risks to students. Please find a solution," the mayor first shared his thoughts, then asked, "Please also tell us what alternatives you parents are considering," and listened to their voices.

The New Light Meetings typically last about two hours, but when questions are particularly active, they often extend well beyond the scheduled time.

Among residents' suggestions, matters that can be handled quickly are resolved immediately with results announced. Long-term projects requiring budget reviews, design, and legal examination will be pursued stepwise with roadmaps prepared. Citizens who raised issues will be continuously informed of the complaint-handling process.

Teenagers Also Actively Participate with Suggestions

This year's New Light Meetings are seeing active participation from teenagers who are expressing their opinions. At the Youngheung 1-dong New Light Meeting held at the Youngheung Arboretum on October 21, some 30 students from Cheongmyeong High School and students from Ajou University participated.

One Cheongmyeong High School student suggested, "We hope Cheongmyeong High School students could enter the Youngheung Arboretum for free."

At the Songjeok-dong New Light Meeting held on October 24, students from Songwon Middle School and Cheoncheon High School participated to share policies they hope for teenagers.

The 2025 New Light Meetings will continue through December 4.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun said, "Based on the philosophy that citizens' voices become Suwon's direction, I am listening carefully to each and every citizen's voice," and added, "I will listen to even small opinions from citizens and reflect them in city policies."