Interview Gwangju Mayor Bang Se-hwan Says "Differentiated 'Happiness Policy' Worked"...Sweeps Various Awards

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] Gwangju City has been recognized for achieving differentiated policy results across all municipal affairs—healthcare, welfare, administration, and culture—throughout 2025, with evaluation that the city has raised citizens' happiness index.

Throughout the year, the city has successively won ministerial awards and grand prizes in evaluations by central government ministries and external organizations, solidifying its status as "the most livable city in the metropolitan area." In particular, analysis shows that Mayor Bang Se-hwan's rational thinking and field-oriented policies that break away from conventional administration and provide practical benefits to citizens' lives have been effective.

This publication met Mayor Bang Se-hwan, who is spending busy days with hands full conducting reviews of regional issues and administration centered on communication with citizens and accountability. We heard about the year's achievements, large and small.

■ Realizing a Healthy and Inclusive 'Inclusive City'

First, achievements in the healthcare and medical sector directly related to citizens' health stood out.

The city was selected as an outstanding local government in the '8th Regional Health and Medical Plan Evaluation' hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and received a ministerial commendation.

Under the vision of "Gwangju centered on citizen health," the city created a medical and care linkage system, and received high evaluation for implementing 2024 achievements specifically and continuously in the 2025 plan.

Additionally, at the '18th Dementia Overcoming Day Commemoration,' the city was uniquely selected as an outstanding organization among dementia care centers in Gyeonggi Province and received a ministerial commendation.

The city expanded operations of the dementia care center to five regional zones in 2025 to improve accessibility and completed a community-centered care system including operation of dementia-safe villages.

Furthermore, Gwangju Family Center received a Gyeonggi Provincial Governor's commendation for recognized excellence in child care support projects and greatly contributed to resolving care gaps.

■ A 'Young City' Communicating with Future Generations

The city also achieved remarkable results in youth communication.

Gwangju Youth Training Center presented the 'METACTION' program combining metaverse and climate action at the '21st Korea Youth Expo' and won the Minister of Gender Equality and Family Affairs Commendation (top award).

This future-oriented program utilizing digital technology to drive youth social participation garnered high praise for setting a new milestone.

In municipal promotion, the city won the 'Grand Prize in Basic Local Government Blog Division' at the '11th 2025 SNS of the Year' awards ceremony, proving its communication competitiveness.

The city's official blog surpassed 20 million cumulative visits and has played an important role as a key channel for local economic vitalization and citizen information delivery.

■ Realizing Airtight 'Smart Administration'

Efforts to improve administrative efficiency and secure fiscal soundness also shined.

The city won the Group 2 Grand Prize in the '2025 First Half Local Tax Delinquency Special Collection Measure Evaluation' led by Gyeonggi Province and secured 13 million won in subsidy.

This was the result of realizing tax justice through customized collection activities including virtual asset seizure.

Additionally, at the '2025 Gyeonggi Province Regional Informatization Best Practices Presentation Competition,' the city won an excellence award with the '360° Panorama System' using drones and action cameras, achieving consecutive wins for two years.

Beyond this, the city received recognition for proactive administrative efforts to guarantee fundamental rights of marginalized stateless and undocumented children, winning an encouragement award at the '2025 Gyeonggi Province Proactive Administration Best Practices Competition.'

Mayor Bang Se-hwan stated, "This year's varied award achievements are the fruit of combined citizen participation and civil servants' efforts," and added, "Going forward, through communication-centered administration that listens to the voices of the field, I will continue to bring about positive changes that citizens can feel."