Park Seung-won, Gwangmyeong Mayor: "The Answer to City Governance Always Lies in the Voice of Citizens"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Yoo Je-sung] Mayor Park Seung-won of Gwangmyeong received 392 tasks that citizens shared regarding Gwangmyeong's daily life and future during the "2026 Dialogue with Citizens" held for approximately two weeks from January 19 to 30.

According to Gwangmyeong City on the 1st, Mayor Park visited two districts per day, sharing this year's city governance vision and major policies, while carefully listening to questions and suggestions from attending citizens.

For matters that could be answered immediately, he provided responses on the spot; for matters requiring departmental or legal review, he promised to conduct thorough examination before proceeding, demonstrating a responsible administrative approach.

The topics most frequently mentioned by citizens included urban development, transportation, citizen safety, environment, and restoration of livelihoods, with diverse opinions presented across fields ranging from daily practical issues to mid-to-long-term urban directions.

Among the total 392 suggestions, the road, sewage, sanitation, and environment fields most closely related to citizens' daily life accounted for 104 cases, and with approximately half of the city under development, the urban development field followed with 61 suggestions.

In the transportation sector, 57 suggestions were made, and reflecting difficult livelihood conditions, the economy, employment, welfare, and healthcare fields saw 47 suggestions.

Mayor Park empathized with the opinions of each individual citizen and presented realistic alternatives and phased solution approaches, drawing the trust and empathy of attending citizens through clear answers.

Yoon Eun-suk, director of the Gwangmyeong branch of the Saemaul Traffic Volunteer Service, pointed out that "the steep uphill roads in the district raise concerns about pedestrian safety in winter," and suggested installing road heating lines.

Mayor Park responded, "I will sufficiently reflect the voice from the field, conduct priority reviews of dangerous sections first, and proceed with installing heating lines where possible in a phased manner," demonstrating active commitment to citizen safety.

His decisive action to secure safe school commute routes also stood out.

A resident of Gwangmyeong District 1 suggested the early completion of the Hyungchung Tunnel, which is used as a school commute route. Mayor Park promised, "Considering student safety and citizen inconvenience, I will do my utmost to complete the project without delay."

When asked to replace dark street lights near Gwangmun Elementary, Middle, and High Schools with LED lights, he gave a clear answer: "Since it is directly related to youth safety, I will take immediate measures in necessary areas."

Mayor Park emphasized that it is most important to check and address safety issues such as pedestrian environments and school commute routes on the spot, demonstrating firm resolve to place citizen safety at the center of all responses.

He also presented specific alternatives to resolve inconveniences in daily life.

A resident near Trieus Gwangmyeong complained about smoking around bus stops and suggested installing smoking booths. Mayor Park responded that he would look for installable locations and find ways to reduce resident inconvenience.

Regarding the disorder of bicycles and kickboards parked in front of Exit No. 2 of Gwangmyeong Intersection Station, he promised immediate cleanup along with "currently reviewing land acquisition for installing bicycle parking towers," pledging continued countermeasures to improve the pedestrian environment.

To voices from the welfare field, he responded with empathy and policy commitment.

To a citizen requesting improvement of the system regarding conditions for elderly job participation, Mayor Park said, "I deeply empathize with the difficulties in the field," and added, "I will actively examine improvements that can be made within the legal system and reflect them in policy," comforting the citizen's heart.

Along with this, he carefully addressed complaints related to major development projects including the Gwangmyeong-Siheung 3rd New Town and Gwangmyeong-Siheung Techno Valley. Mayor Park said he would work continuously with relevant organizations such as the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) and Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Development Corporation (GH) to minimize citizen inconvenience.

Meanwhile, the city plans to conduct rapid on-site inspections and departmental reviews on matters raised during the dialogue, and will work to translate citizen opinions into policy through various communication channels including 'Asohaha,' 'Vibrant Communication Scene,' and 'Our Neighborhood Mayor's Office.'

Mayor Park Seung-won said, "The answer to city governance always lies in the voice of citizens," and added, "I will take each opinion from the field as a driving force for Gwangmyeong's development, faithfully reflect it in city governance, and create the Gwangmyeong that everyone desires."