"Zero Gaps in Welfare"... Seo-gu's "012 Partners" Wins Minister of Planning and Budget Award

Supported 11,686 Residents in Two Years Through Public-Private Collaboration
Won Award for Second Consecutive Year After the "Alley Economy 119 Project"

Seo-gu in Jeonnam-Gwangju, which has supported residents who have fallen through the cracks in the welfare system, received an award at a nationwide local government policy conference.

Seo-gu said on the 14th that it received the Minister of Planning and Budget Award, the top prize for outstanding policies, for “012 Partners with Seo-gu Honors” at the 2026 Excellent Local Autonomy Policy Conference, held at Sarangjae in the National Assembly on the 13th.

“012 Partners” takes its name from the phrase “zero (0) gaps in welfare and 12 happy months in Seo-gu.”

Kim I-gang, head of Seo-gu in Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City, presents the district's outstanding policy, "012 Partners with Seo-gu Honors," at the 2026 Good Local Autonomy Policy Conference, held at Sarangjae in the National Assembly building on the 13th. Provided by Seo-gu Office.

The program is run by Seo-gu and the local community working together to identify residents who are not reached by existing welfare programs and arrange the support each person needs. Over the past two years, 11,686 residents have received welfare benefits.

At the heart of private-sector participation is Seo-gu Honors, a group of major donors launched in November 2024. The group, which includes businesspeople, medical professionals and self-employed people, has attracted 139 members in the two years since its launch. Pledged donations total 5.14 billion won. One in five members volunteered to participate in the group and make donations.

Seo-gu helped families of marriage migrants visit their maternal relatives through its “Visit to Mom’s Home Country” program. It also provided summer vacation allowances to elderly people who collect waste paper so they could rest during heat waves. The district organized weddings for couples with disabilities and held a “Concert to Enjoy Lying Down,” which people with severe disabilities could attend with their families.

Seo-gu District Mayor Kim Yi-gang said, “When the administration and the local community join forces, they can revitalize the neighborhood economy and fill gaps in the welfare system,” adding, “Sharing can lead to happiness throughout the community.”

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