Geumcheon-gu announced it will significantly overhaul the operating procedures for the "district mayor's direct text" service as the district enters its ninth elected-term administration under District Mayor Choi Ki-chan.
The district has operated a dedicated mobile phone for the district mayor's direct text service since September 2021, allowing residents of all ages to send policy suggestions, opinions, and complaints about Geumcheon-gu by text without registering on a website or navigating complex procedures — and to receive a reply.
Building on that foundation, the district has established a streamlined system for reporting everyday lifestyle complaints as part of its ninth-term focus on field-centered communication. The revamped procedures are designed to get answers back to residents faster than before.
In practice, simple inquiries and on-site complaints requiring immediate handling will bypass lengthy internal review steps. Once a text complaint is confirmed as received, it is forwarded directly to the relevant department, whose staff then contacts the resident by phone or text without delay.
General complaints — such as project proposals and suggestions that require internal departmental review — have also been streamlined so residents receive faster replies.
Since launching in September 2021 through July this year, the service has received more than 1,900 messages in total. Usage has grown sharply: from 176 cases in 2022 to 709 in 2025, a 302 percent increase over three years.
The district said high satisfaction among residents who have used the service has driven word of mouth, pushing the annual intake higher each year.
"We will continue working to ensure that Geumcheon-gu listens to residents and resolves any inconveniences as quickly as possible," District Mayor Choi said. "By attentively hearing the diverse, real voices of our residents, we will deliver high-quality administrative services and build a Geumcheon-gu that earns their trust."
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