A civic group established to reflect citizens’ voices

A civic group established to reflect citizens’ voices. June. 27, 2016 07:19. by 강경석기자 coolup@donga.com. Amid growing voices calling for ‘real politics’ after the April 13 general elections, a new research group has been set up in order to create policies and legislations directly related to ordinary citizens’ lives. The Center for Civic Awareness & Policy Making held an opening general meeting at the National Assembly Members’ Hall on Sunday.

“It is true that some government-led policies are not directly related to people’s lives,” said Lee Yong-mo, a professor of Konkuk university and co-head of the new civic group, said. “We will soon review the legislation and revision of the rules for a sharing economy at a seminar.”

The key is participation through opening a civic politics platform, which can enhance citizens’ political participation. The platform is being developed in a smartphone app, delivering the direction of legislation that citizens want to the National Assembly and lawmakers.

The newly-established center also studies how to lay the foundation for politics for daily lives based on the legislative cases of other countries. A good example is Claire’s Law – designed to protect potential victims of domestic violence. It will study other cases to address various inconveniences in our society.

The civic group will also find ways to allow citizens to participate in politics with ease in addition to political participation through a smartphone app. It will consider delivering opinions in areas where citizens are interested, such as measures to reduce fine particles and preventing judges from making an unfair judgement in favor of lawyers who were former judges or prosecutors.