"Solving Local Issues Together"... Seodaemun-gu Launches Residents' Governance School on the 8th

In-person and Online Training at 14 Neighborhoods Until the 28th
Council Members to Be Appointed in November After Public Drawing

In Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (Mayor Park Woongi), a school where residents can learn about self-governance is being operated in anticipation of the reopening of the residents’ self-governing council for the first time in four years. On September 6, the district announced that it would hold mandatory preliminary training for residents wishing to serve as council members in all 14 neighborhoods from September 8 to September 28.

Exterior view of Seodaemun District Office building. Provided by Seodaemun District Office.

The Residents’ Governance School covers topics essential for actual council activities, such as the meaning of resident autonomy, the roles of council members, ways to materialize local issues as projects, budget utilization, and cooperation and communication among residents. The training will be conducted both in person and online. Only those who complete at least four hours of training are eligible to participate in the public drawing organized by neighborhood in October.

The in-person course consists of two subjects: “Understanding Resident Autonomy” and “Utilizing Budgets and Projects to Solve Local Issues.” Each is two hours long, for a total of four hours. The same curriculum will be provided at all 14 locations—from Bukgajwa 1-dong on September 8 to Yeonhui-dong on September 28—at various council centers, neighborhood community centers, and the district office. Participants may select their preferred location and time regardless of their neighborhood of residence.

For the online option, participants will use the “Seoul Resident Autonomy Revitalization Online Course” offered on the Seoul Lifelong Learning Portal. This program includes three lectures—“Understanding Resident Autonomy,” “Cooperation and Communication Among Council Members,” and “Council Member Capacity Building”—and totals five hours. Residents who choose this option must submit a certificate of completion issued between September 8 and 28.

Anyone interested in resident autonomy, even if they do not wish to serve as a council member, can participate. Detailed schedules and application procedures are posted in the notices section on the Seodaemun-gu Office website.

Applicants who complete the training will take part in a public drawing by neighborhood in October. Those selected will be appointed as council members for a two-year term starting in November. Each neighborhood residents’ council is composed of roughly 50 members, who identify regional issues and develop and implement autonomy plans.

Seodaemun-gu regards this Residents’ Governance School not just as a training session, but as the starting point for reorganizing the residents’ council after four years. The district plans to ensure what residents learn in these classes will be put into practice as real community projects.

Mayor Park Woongi stated, “Resident autonomy is a process in which residents themselves identify what the neighborhood needs and collaborate to create solutions. I hope this Residents’ Governance School will be a first step for residents to take the initiative in transforming their community.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.