Special Report Saebit Talk Talk Platform Reflecting Citizen Proposals Shows Strong Performance

[News S=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] 'Saebit' is the policy slogan of Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun. Among these initiatives, Saebit Talk Talk, Suwon citizens' mobile participation platform, has reached its third anniversary of operations. Saebit Talk Talk, which set the goal of enabling citizens to easily participate in city administration and realize direct democracy, has served as a starting point for reflecting creative citizen ideas in policy and as a channel for collecting public opinion. Over the past three years, we examine the achievements of Saebit Talk Talk, which has established itself as Suwon's primary online civic square.

◇Saebit Talk Talk's Three Years: 220,000 Members with 2.2 Million Activities

As of June 30, Saebit Talk Talk recorded cumulative membership of 222,980.

This means that one out of every five residents of Suwon (population 1.23 million) is a Saebit Talk Talk member.

Saebit Talk Talk, which officially launched on July 1, 2023, has experienced consistent growth in membership over three years.

Member numbers grew from 44,000 in the first six months to approximately 100,000 in 2024, 181,000 in 2025, and surpassed 220,000 in the first half of this year, showing steady user increase.

It's not just high membership numbers but also high usage volume.

Over three years, citizen participation using Saebit Talk Talk has reached 2.2 million activities.

Direct citizen proposals totaled 5,449, responses of agreement reached 195,000, and comments for discussion participation numbered approximately 1.08 million. Additionally, surveys and voting accounted for 794,000 activities, while various applications and submissions represented 122,000 activities.

The effect of collecting citizen opinions was significant. Among 5,449 citizen proposals received, 1,006 were approved and reviewed as worthy of consideration by Suwon city's operational departments.

Of these, 108 were officially adopted and implemented.

On average, 150 proposals are submitted monthly, with three being refined and executed.

This demonstrates that Saebit Talk Talk is being utilized as a major tool for citizen participation in city administration.

◇Building Intelligent Suwon Living Through Citizen Proposals

Saebit Talk Talk proposals have created starting points for new changes throughout the Suwon region.

Notable examples include 'Outstanding Central Proposals' recognized by the Ministry of Interior and Safety.

In December 2023, a resident with limited mobility due to a leg injury requested 'adding meal delivery service to Saebit Care Service.'

Through pilot operations gaining positive response, this proposal expanded city-wide within one year.

In January 2024, there was also a citizen proposal stating 'Please display remaining budget percentage in local currency.'

Following departmental review, the system was changed to display incentive remaining budget when below 30%. This change occurred just three months after the proposal.

Additionally, creative citizen ideas materialized through Saebit Talk Talk proposals served as catalysts for improving Suwon's living conditions.

The first-come-first-served reservation system for Gwanggyo Lake Park Blue Forest Library's book yard was changed to a lottery method starting in June.

Since March last year, milk cartons and waste batteries can be exchanged not only for paper but also for trash bags.

Placing books and tourism brochures at Suwon Station's transfer center also resulted from Saebit Talk Talk citizen input improving daily life.

The recent installation of yellow shade tarps in child safety zones in Jangan-gu and Gwonseon-gu also originated from Saebit Talk Talk citizen proposals.

There were also citizen opinions to replace yellow carpet area shade tarps with yellow versions in child safety zones near schools and academy districts.

Suwon city immediately accepted the opinion and decided to replace these sequentially.

◇Citizen Communication Channel Where Everyone Freely Shares Opinions

Beyond creating felt policy, Saebit Talk Talk is being utilized as a platform where citizens express ideas and exchange opinions.

Among currently ongoing discussions, the hottest topic is 'Suwon Pay Improvement' posted on the 16th.

A citizen proposed changing the incentive distribution method from first-come-first-served to a discount method applied at actual transaction time.

Following this, over 1,300 comments accumulated within ten days with active discussion underway.

Opinions supporting improvement, suggestions to maintain the current system as opportunities are fairly distributed, and third-party alternatives are actively exchanged.

Discussion is also active regarding the proposal 'Expand multilingual (English) service for disaster text notifications for foreigners.'

The consensus emphasizes that this should be introduced for foreign residents' and tourists' safety.

Over 1,800 comments and likes continue between supporters and opponents who believe the matter requires multifaceted review of budgets and necessity.

Saebit Talk Talk enables survey voting, increasing policy efficiency through citizen opinion collection.

Typical applications include soliciting citizen input when establishing new facilities or verifying satisfaction after program completion.

Saebit Talk Talk is used as the most convenient tool whenever participation is needed, such as when administrative welfare centers conduct projects for residents or neighborhood committees determine project priorities.

◇Nurturing Participation and Proposal Experts Through Saebit Talk Talk!

Saebit Talk Talk also supported Suwon citizens in more professionally materializing their proposals.

Operating nurturing programs for children, university students, and citizens where they can internalize the policy proposal process, this initiative has made citizen participation flourish.

Collaborating with regional universities to utilize Saebit Talk Talk in regular classes is a prime example.

The first course was opened at Ajou University in fall 2023.

Subsequently, Kyonggi University also opened a major elective course the following year, enabling students to directly experience the policy development and proposal process.

Saebit Talk Talk serves as the course foundation, with Suwon city team-level civil servants participating in mentoring providing practical advice, making it highly popular.

Elementary, middle, and high school students in the Suwon region encounter participation through Saebit Talk Talk.

Classes that registered for the 'We Want to Participate Too' program, coordinated with public education curriculum, refine proposals through coursework.

This system allows posting to Saebit Talk Talk and receiving citizen reactions and relevant department reviews.

Starting with fourth-grade elementary coursework, the public education-linked program has expanded to high schools over the past two years.

Over 200 student policy proposals were reviewed, and participating class satisfaction and willingness to re-participate reached 100%.

◇'Easier and Broader' Enhanced Convenience and Citizen Participation

Suwon city made multifaceted efforts to enable citizens to use Saebit Talk Talk more conveniently and accessibly.

Starting in September last year, as the nation's first local government initiative, linking with the Gyeonggi regional currency platform enables direct connection to Saebit Talk Talk from the widely-used Suwon Pay app, exemplifying this effort.

By connecting with highly-utilized platforms, signup procedures were simplified and convenience in mileage conversion was secured.

Following linkage, October-December 2025 showed 92% increase in members, 18% in citizen proposals, and 33% in survey voting.

Additionally, incentives were provided by accumulating activity encouragement payments as mileage when active as Saebit Talk Talk members, driving citizen participation.

Mileage can be converted to Suwon Pay upon accumulating 10,000 points or more, providing practical utility.

From last year, mileage donation was enabled, accumulating 3.951 million won in donations over one year.

Various events and affiliate services for Saebit Talk Talk members were also expanded.

Affiliate services provided to Saebit Talk Talk members are based on participation of diverse local resources.

Benefits include not only movies, performances, tourist attractions, and professional sports viewing but also discounts at family restaurants and eyeglasses.

Saebit Talk Talk members used over 23,000 coupons from 12 institutions in the Suwon area during the past year.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun of Suwon Special City stated, "Over the past three years, Suwon's Saebit Talk Talk has achieved quantitative growth with 230,000 registrants and active usage, establishing itself as a mobile direct democracy platform," adding "Going forward, we will transform Saebit Talk Talk into a citizen-focused lifestyle platform and promote the institutionalization of participation."