# South Korean local resident autonomy assemblies

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-local-resident-autonomy-assemblies
> Updated: 2026-09-18T00:59:22.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 4.

South Korean municipalities are finalizing participatory budgeting processes for the 2027 fiscal year, allowing residents to directly influence public spending through voting and deliberation.

In Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, a resident assembly held on September 12 finalized 31 projects totaling approximately 1.7 billion won. These initiatives are categorized into district policy (24 projects), youth participation (3 projects), and adolescent participation (4 projects), with key works including forest path creation and intersection safety alerts. Mayor Kim Mi-kyung noted that the process enables residents to “identify and solve local issues together.”

In Geochang County, an online preference survey conducted from August 31 to September 14 prioritized 15 projects. These include environmental improvements such as agricultural waste recycling, tourism landscape creation, and safety enhancements like smoke-free zones and pedestrian facilities. 

This participatory budgeting system, which originated in Brazil, has been mandatory in South Korea since 2011 following amendments to the Local Finance Act. Other regions, including Yeongdeungpo-gu, Siheung, and Uijeongbu, have also utilized various voting methods—ranging from online platforms to mobile and permanent polling stations—to incorporate resident opinions on local infrastructure and village projects.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-18: South Korean municipalities implement resident-led participatory budgeting

South Korean municipalities, including Geochang County and Eunpyeong-gu, are implementing resident-led participatory budgeting to select local projects for 2027.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-municipalities-implement-resident-led-participatory-budgeting

### 2026-09-06: Seoul districts hold resident votes for participatory budgeting

Seoul districts Eunpyeong-gu and Yeongdeungpo-gu are holding resident votes to select local projects for the 2027 budget, focusing on safety, youth, and community infrastructure.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/seoul-districts-hold-resident-votes-for-participatory-budgeting

### 2026-08-27: South Korean cities hold resident assemblies for local project voting

Cities in South Korea, including Siheung and Uijeongbu, are holding resident assemblies to allow citizens to vote on local community projects and participatory budget priorities for upcoming years.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-cities-hold-resident-assemblies-for-local-project-voting

### 2026-08-24: Eunpyeong-gu holds resident assemblies to select local projects

Eunpyeong-gu is holding resident assemblies across 16 neighborhoods to vote on and select local community projects for 2027.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eunpyeong-gu-holds-resident-assemblies-to-select-local-projects

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Cite as: South Korean local resident autonomy assemblies. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-local-resident-autonomy-assemblies