"Not AI, but the Real District Mayor?" ... Yeongdeungpo District Mayor Jo Yujin Gets 3,000 Texts in 100 Days of 'Resident Communication Line'

“Urban Development and Housing” Complaints, Including Redevelopment and Roads, Top 40%
Long-Overlooked Complaints With Unclear Responsibility Also Resolved

Yeongdeungpo District in Seoul, headed by District Mayor Jo Yujin, said on Nov. 11 that it had received more than 3,000 messages from residents in the 100 days since launching its “Resident Communication Line,” which lets people text the district mayor directly. That amounts to an average of about 30 messages a day.

Provided by Yeongdeungpo-gu.

Under the program, residents can send a text to a dedicated number (010-6400-8450) without identity verification or any separate administrative procedures. The district mayor personally reviews each message and informs the sender of the outcome. The service launched on Aug. 3.

By category, “urban development and housing” issues—including redevelopment and reconstruction, streetscape improvements, and roads and flood control—accounted for 1,241 messages, more than 40% of the total. They were followed by 613 on transportation, parking and safety; 542 on health and the environment; and 278 on welfare and jobs.

Most messages concerned everyday issues, such as widening sidewalks near Dangsan and Seonyudo stations, maintaining streetlights and in-road warning lights, and repairing broken exercise equipment in parks.

The line also helped resolve complaints that had gone unaddressed for a long time because it was unclear who was responsible. One example was the roots of a chinaberry tree beneath the Dangsan Station overpass, which were threatening the safety of the structure. The district said the service had also made it easier for departments to coordinate with one another and work with other agencies.

In one case, the district mayor called a resident and clarified what solution was needed. After a resident troubled by loud vehicle noise at night requested a “noise-prevention traffic light,” the mayor called personally to hear more about the problem. The district found that the resident actually wanted a “noise-prevention traffic sign,” and installed one right away.

The practice of having the district mayor personally call residents to report the outcome has also been well received. One resident who had requested sidewalk repairs said, “After I sent a text, I got a call and heard the district mayor’s voice. At first, I was surprised and thought it was an automated AI 안내 message.” The resident added, “Seeing the mayor personally check on the site and report the outcome increased my trust in the administration.”

The district plans to compile statistics on the more than 3,000 messages received and use them to inform policy. It also plans to address recurring complaints by improving its systems. District Mayor Jo Yujin said, “Making communication with residents part of everyday life helps us stay focused on our duties.”

Yeongdeungpo District Mayor Jo Yujin. Provided by Yeongdeungpo-gu.

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