35 residents appointed to citizen policy panel to evaluate 9th elected-term pledges
Uiwang city appointed 35 members to a citizen policy panel Friday at the city hall's main conference room to evaluate campaign pledge implementation plans for the ninth elected term, launching a citizen-led review of the mayor's commitments.
Panel members were selected by random lottery from Uiwang residents aged 18 and older who applied through an open recruitment process, with draws weighted to reflect gender, age and geographic distribution.
The panel is tasked with assessing the pledge implementation plans from a citizen's perspective, identifying achievements and shortcomings, and proposing improvements.
The process is designed as a deliberative forum — rather than a simple survey or question-and-answer format — in which members refine their views through study sessions and structured debate.
The panel is divided into five working groups covering urban development and industrial complexes, transportation, education and youth and employment, culture and sports and welfare, and health and safety, and will convene a total of three times.
At the first session Friday, members received their appointment certificates and were briefed on 78 campaign pledges across seven policy areas for the ninth elected term. Working groups then selected 30 pledges to examine in depth.
At the second session, set for Thursday, the departments responsible for each pledge will brief the relevant working groups on the projects selected for evaluation and answer members' questions. At the third session on Nov. 16, working groups will compile assessment findings and improvement ideas for each pledge before the full panel adopts a final set of recommendations.
The city plans to finalize a "ninth elected-term campaign pledge implementation plan" incorporating the panel's input, with specific timelines, budget requirements and expected outcomes for each project. The panel's recommendations and the city's response to each will be published on the Uiwang city website in January 2027.
"Promises made to citizens must be proven through results," Uiwang Mayor Kim Seong-je said. "If the citizen policy panel scrutinizes the pledges closely and points out any shortcomings sharply, we will actively reflect that in city administration and repay citizens with tangible outcomes."
pjh@heraldcorp.com
