"Can a change in district mayor really make this much difference in how the district is run?"
That was the reaction of one Gangnam-gu resident.
It is a sentiment that resonates.
About a month and a half into his term, Kim Hyun-gi — the district mayor elected in the ninth round of local elections — is drawing attention for the kind of praise residents rarely offer local government.
The changes have come on multiple fronts: the formation of a task force to fast-track reconstruction projects, and a channel for residents to report grievances over what they see as an excessive property tax burden, among others.
The shifts have reinforced a simple truth: leadership matters.
Kim recently told a reporter that "administration means responding quickly to what residents need."
It was a straightforward statement — the kind a seasoned administrator might make.
Gangnam-gu is introducing a pre-visit appointment system for its tax outreach team, known as the Sejeong Donghaengdan. Under the new system, residents who have fallen behind on tax payments will be notified before any visit and, if they wish, can request a specific date, time and location for the meeting. Advance notices by mail and KakaoTalk begin Wednesday.
The core change is a shift away from unannounced field inspections toward a model built on prior notice, scheduling at the resident's convenience and arriving at the agreed time. The system aims to reduce the anxiety and misunderstanding that unannounced visits can cause, while allowing staff to assess residents' living circumstances and financial situation in person and connect them with any support they may need.
Before any visit, the district will send recipients a notice explaining the purpose of the call and what will be discussed. Individuals will be reached by mail or KakaoTalk; businesses will receive written notice only. Recipients who wish to do so can then request a convenient date, time and location. Staff will coordinate the final visit schedule taking into account their inspection timetable and travel routes.
The district is also making allowances for residents who cannot meet during the day because of work or other obligations. The outreach team's standard hours run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the district will consider flexible arrangements — including early-morning or evening visits on designated days — for those who cannot meet during regular hours. Residents who do not make an advance booking will not be removed from the field-inspection list, though the district will still try to give them prior notice wherever possible.
In the field, the outreach team's role goes beyond pressing residents to pay. Staff will assess each person's living situation and ability to pay, then advise on options suited to their circumstances — including voluntary payment or installment plans. Where financial hardship stemming from job loss, illness or business failure is confirmed, the team will work with relevant departments to connect residents with emergency welfare support and other assistance. Residents who have the means to pay but refuse to do so without valid reason will be subject to standard delinquency procedures under applicable law.
Gangnam-gu currently has about 100,000 individuals and entities under local tax and non-tax revenue management, with outstanding arrears of about 77.6 billion won ($54.8 million). The district plans to select priority cases based on the amount owed, the status of each case and whether the person can be reached, and will send advance notices to roughly 30 percent of that group in the first round. Once the system is running, the district will analyze data on appointment requests, the rate of in-person meetings, voluntary and installment payment outcomes, and the number of financially struggling residents identified and referred to welfare services, using the findings to refine the program.
"We will notify residents of our purpose in advance and listen to them at a time and place of their choosing," district mayor Kim said. "We will connect those facing financial hardship with the support they need, while upholding the principles of tax collection — warm and fair tax administration."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
