Moon Jae-in vowed to be a president that clearly stands out from his predecessors when it comes
to communication.
Part of plans to better interact with the Korean people is the ' Gwanghwamoon 1st Avenue'...
where citizens can share their views on various issues, or even suggest a new policy.
Kim Hyesung introduces to us the plaza where anyone can stop by and reach out to the liberal
leader.
May 10, 2017
I will make this the era of the Gwanghwamun presidency.
I will be a president ready to communicate with the people at any time.
. .
Gwanghwamun Square is just around two kilometers away from the presidential office of Cheong
Wa Dae, and it's where for months Koreans held the weekend rallies that led to the impeachment
of former president Park Geun-hye, and a snap eleciton.
Gwanghwamun is not only the heart of downtown Seoul, it's become center stage for participatory
politics, a symbol of democratic defiance.
"Here at Sejongno Park, right next to Gwanghwamun Square, a temporary plaza has been set up
called 'Gwanghwamoon 1st Avenue,' where any Korean citizen can stop by to write and submit
their policy proposals, requests or any suggestions for the Moon Administration.
It opened on May 25th, and submissions will be accepted for 50 days -- though on Mondays
it's closed.
"The previous administration failed to communciate with the people, creating distrust.
I like this new initiative, the idea of the president communicating with the people, so
I came with my daughter.
I hope the new administration can continue to work hard and help create a fairer society
with equal opportunity."
"I'm glad to have this direct channel between the President and the people.
I hope President Moon can help strengthen men's rights."
"As for policy proposals, I hope there can be more support and welfare programs for the
elderly."
There's even a small library at the plaza with books covering everything from fine dust
pollution to North Korea.
These books are for President Moon, and the citizens who brought them left hand-written
notes explaining why they recommend them.
Gwanghwamoon First Avenue is by no means the only real-world communications channel.
There are similar places set up across the country.
There's also a website, used during the campaign and where President Moon posted his pledges,
where now people can click and purchase policies.
"Because of the snap election, President Moon started without a transition team.
'Gwanghwamoon First Avenue' is a program where the President can incorporate people's opinions
into part of the government's five-year plan under the 'People's Transition Committee.'
After fifty days of gathering public opinion, government officials and experts will review
them for another fifty days, draft a white paper, and the President will present it to
the public in a townhall-style meeting in August."
To enhance communication between the government and the people, every Saturday evening, under
the People's Microphone program, citizens can talk about a certain topic with policymakers
for two hours.
"By creating a direct communication channel between the people and the government, Gwanghwamun
1st Avenue can help increase citizen participation in politics.
It also gives the socially marginalized a voice in the policy-making process, and new
ideas for the government."
While it is an encouraging move, experts say the key will be how each ministry turns the
public's policy suggestions into practical action given the limited budget, and how the
Moon Administration cooperates with other political parties.
"There are townhall meetings in the U.S. and politcal gatherings in Sweden.
They have been in place for a long-time.
But it's the first time the Korean government is pushing this kind of initiative, so there
will be trial and error.
The government will have to differentiate mere complaints from actual policies, and
set guidelines about priorites."
12:30 "One concern is that President Moon could
use this direct democracy channel to promote his existing agenda.
It could become a populist tool to push his policies in the National Assembly.
Cooperative governance will be crucial."
Dissapointed by the political turmoil and the corruption scandal, the Korean people
elected a new government through peaceful, democratic means.
To make sure the communication happening at Gwanghwamoon 1st Avenue isn't mere talk or
a flash in the pan but actually delivers on the public's demand for change, it will be
important for the Moon Administration to come up with actual, workable policies.
Kim Hyesung, Arirang News.