Gwangju Metropolitan City's 'Emotional Administration' Communicates with Citizens through Banners

【Financial News Gwangju=Hwang Taejong Reporter】Gwangju Metropolitan City is drawing attention by implementing 'emotional administration' that empathizes and communicates with citizens through banners and placards with concise but resonant phrases. 
 According to Gwangju City on the 29th, when Gwangju-born author Han Kang was selected as the Nobel Prize in Literature winner on October 10 last year, they expressed respect for Han Kang through a banner that read, 'Han Kang, thank you, we are happy! May, now the world spirit!' The phrase 'May, now the world spirit' in particular was intended to reflect on the historical significance of the May 18 Democratization Movement and to spread the spirit of May globally to share the values of peace and human rights, embodying Gwangju City's will.
 This year, on January 14, ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, Gwangju City also hung banners with the phrase 'It's your day to rise' on the outer walls of Gwangju City Hall and Jeonil Building 245. The phrase was meant to encourage and instill hope in citizens experiencing difficulties due to the '12·3 Martial Law,' 'Impeachment Crisis,' and 'Jeju Air Passenger Plane Disaster,' and to convey the meaning of solidarity to overcome the crisis together, with citizens responding, "It gives us strength," "It's what we need."
 Also, marking the 45th anniversary of the May 18 Democratization Movement this year, a banner with a phrase from Han Kang's novel 'The Boy Comes,' which reads, 'I hope you lead me to the bright side, the side where the light shines, the side where flowers bloom,' was hung on the front wall of the city hall. Through this, they aim to remember the pain of May 18, commemorate the spirits of the many 'boys' who sacrificed themselves at that time, and embody the citizens' aspirations to overcome the darkness of the past and move forward into the future.
 Recently, ahead of the 21st presidential election, they are encouraging active participation from citizens with the phrase 'Voting is power,' emphasizing the rights and responsibilities of democratic citizens.
 Gwangju City's banner promotions are being evaluated as efforts to break away from the rigid and formal framework of administrative promotions and to approach citizens in a more friendly and effective manner.
 Park Gwangseok, spokesperson for Gwangju City, said, "Banners are an effective medium to communicate closely with citizens," adding, "We aim to resonate with citizens and bring about positive change through messages that go beyond simply conveying policy content and contain the spirit of the times." He continued, "We will continue to actively communicate with citizens through various messages that reflect the values demanded by the times, while listening to their voices."

hwangtae@fnnews.com Hwang Taejong Reporter