Residents can text anytime, around the clock — no sign-up or ID verification required, with the district mayor reviewing messages personally and sharing them with relevant departments for on-site follow-up
Nowon-gu in Seoul has launched a dedicated mobile text line that allows residents to send messages directly to the district mayor, giving the public a fast, simple channel to feed local concerns into district administration.
The dedicated number is 010-7169-2184. Residents can reach the district mayor with a single text, with no visit to the district office and no complicated procedures required. The line accepts a wide range of input — from everyday complaints such as road damage, illegal dumping and traffic inconvenience, to suggestions for administrative improvements and policy ideas for local development.
The service is designed particularly to improve access for residents who are unfamiliar with online petition platforms or who want to report a problem quickly. Filing a complaint through the national petition portal or the district office website requires account registration and identity verification; visiting the district office or a neighborhood community center in person requires a trip. With the text line, residents can simply use their regular mobile phone.
District Mayor Seo Jun-o will personally review all incoming texts. Items requiring review or action will be shared with the relevant departments for on-site checks and remediation. Even issues that cannot be resolved immediately will be examined in light of related policies and projects, with the aim of incorporating them into future district administration.
Messages can be sent at any time, 365 days a year, around the clock. Replies will be sent in order of receipt during business hours, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. The number is a text-only line and does not support voice calls.
To maintain a constructive communication environment, messages unrelated to district affairs, defamatory or abusive language, content with political intent, commercial advertising, and repeated submissions of identical or similar content may receive no reply or action without prior notice.
The text line is part of District Mayor Seo's broader effort to extend his "communication-first" governing philosophy — a hallmark of his administration since the ninth elected term began — into residents' everyday lives.
Nowon-gu held a campaign pledge forum on July 15, featuring a live stream on the district's official YouTube channel and a real-time policy vote via mobile QR code. Having created a public forum to gather broad resident input on major policies, the district is now reinforcing its always-on communication framework with the text line, which lets residents report everyday inconveniences and small suggestions at any time.
"The people who live and work in the neighborhood every day know best what is inconvenient and what needs to improve," District Mayor Seo said. "I will listen carefully to every voice in every text message, look into each one personally, and make sure that residents' feedback translates into real improvements in district administration and policy."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
