Gwangju Metropolitan City to Select 'Citizens’ Day,' 'Citizens’ Song' and 'Citizens’ Charter' Reflecting Residents’ Views

【Financial News Jeonnam-Gwangju = Hwang Tae-jong】 Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City (Gwangju Metropolitan City) will select three civic symbols—'Citizens’ Day,' 'Citizens’ Song' and 'Citizens’ Charter'—that reflect the identity and future values of the integrated special city and the views of its residents.
 To this end, the city will collect residents’ opinions online via email and text messages (SMS) from the 17th through the 23rd.
 Residents will first be surveyed on their preferences among the candidates for 'Citizens’ Day' and 'Citizens’ Song.' For the 'Citizens’ Charter,' they will be asked for their opinions on the content and direction of the draft.
 A Gwangju Metropolitan City official said, "'Citizens’ Day,' 'Citizens’ Song' and 'Citizens’ Charter' are important symbols representing the identity of the integrated special city and the values shared by its residents. We hope for broad interest and participation so that residents’ views can be fully reflected."
 Gwangju Metropolitan City previously selected candidates for 'Citizens’ Day' and 'Citizens’ Song' and prepared a draft 'Citizens’ Charter' after consulting experts.
 First, 'Citizens’ Day' will be a representative anniversary commemorating the integrated special city’s new beginning and symbolizing civic unity. Considering historical significance and regional symbolism, the city selected three candidate dates: July 1, the launch date of the special city; May 27, the final day of resistance during the May 18 Democratic Uprising; and September 30, the date of the first provincial sports festival held before Jeonnam and Gwangju were separated.
 Rather than producing a new song, the city decided to use an existing one for the 'Citizens’ Song.' Considering regional historical and cultural sentiment and symbolism, it selected three songs: 'March for the Beloved,' 'Rock Island' and 'Jindo Arirang.'
 The 'Citizens’ Charter' is a shared civic pledge containing the values residents will uphold and practice together, as well as the future vision pursued by the integrated special city. Accordingly, the city prepared a draft based on the 'Declaration on the Great Transformation of Civilization,' announced at the city’s launch, and incorporated the advisory committee’s views. The draft 'Citizens’ Charter' contains key values pursued by the integrated special city, including inheriting the thousand-year history of Jeolla and the values of freedom, democracy and human rights; achieving a new leap forward through integration; promoting the harmonious development of agriculture and life sciences, maritime affairs, energy and advanced science and technology; and fostering coexistence among regions and generations.
 Gwangju Metropolitan City plans to finalize the three civic symbols by combining the survey results with expert advice and practical reviews.

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