CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS Article 1 (Purpose) The purpose of this Ordinance is to provide for matters necessary to support the creation of resident-led village communities in order to realize autonomy granted to residents, and contribute to the development of democracy.

Article 2 (Definitions of Terms) The terms used in this Ordinance shall be defined as follows:
1. "Village" means the spatial and social limits within which residents live their daily life and share economy, culture, the environment, etc.;
2. "Village community" means a resident-led autonomous community within which the freedom and the rights of individual residents are respected and the residents determine and promote matters concerning the village in mutually equal relationship;
3. "Creation of a village community" means activities that enhance the quality of lives of residents by upholding and developing traditions and characteristics of the region and utilizing human and physical resources of the region.

Article 3 (Basic Principles) The creation of a village community shall be promoted in accordance with the following basic principles:
1. The creation of a village community shall aim at the restoration of a resident-led community through the formation of close relationships among the residents;
2. The creation of a village community shall be led by residents based on their participation;
3. The creation of a village community shall respect individual and cultural diversity of the residents and the village;
4. The creation of a village community shall be promoted through the mutual reliability and cooperation between the residents and the administrative agency.

Article 4 (Rights and Obligations of Residents) Every resident shall have the right to promote projects to create a village community, recognize his/her responsibility and role, and proactively participate in projects to create the village community.

Article 5 (Duty of Mayor) The Mayor of the Seoul Metropolitan Government (hereinafter referred to as the "Mayor") shall proactively support projects promoted by residents to create village communities and continuously promote policies for the revitalization of the village communities.

CHAPTER II PROJECTS TO CREATE VILLAGE COMMUNITIES Article 6 (Basic Plan) (1) The Mayor shall formulate a basic plan for the creation of village communities of the Seoul Metropolitan Government (hereinafter referred to as "basic plan") every five years to support projects to create village communities.
(2) A basic plan shall include the following:
1. Direction of Policy of the Seoul Metropolitan Government (hereinafter referred to as the "Seoul Government") for the creation of village communities;
2. Establishment and operation of the Integrated Support Center for village communities of the Seoul Government;
3. Composition and operation of the administrative council for village communities of the Seoul Government;
4. Composition and operation of a private-public cooperation system, such as the village community committee of the Seoul Government;
5. A plan to efficiently promote projects to create village communities and a support system for such projects;
6. Other matters necessary to support the creation of village communities.
(3) The Mayor shall proactively gather opinions from residents when he/she formulates a basic plan.

Article 7 (Formulation of Action Plan and Official Announcement) (1) The Mayor shall formulate and implement an action plan for the creation of village communities of the Seoul Government (hereinafter referred to as "action plan") every year according to a basic plan. <Amended by Ordinance No. 5516, Aug. 1, 2013>
(2) An action plan shall include the following concerning support for the creation of village communities:
1. Direction of the promotion and main business plans;
2. Administrative and financial support to projects to create village communities;
3. Other matters deemed necessary to support the creation of village communities.
(3) Where the Mayor formulates and implements an action plan, he/she shall arrange things so that the action plan may be connected to a basic plan and major policies of the Seoul Government.
(4) The Mayor shall officially announce an action plan under paragraph (1), village communities eligible for support, procedures for support, etc. on the web site, etc. of the Seoul Metropolitan Government. <Newly Inserted by Ordinance No. 5516, Aug. 1, 2013>

Article 8 (Administrative Council of Village Communities) Where necessary for related departments of the Seoul Government and autonomous Gus in charge of projects to create a village community in a specific region to efficiently promote affairs, the Mayor may establish and operate an administrative council for village communities (hereinafter referred to as the "Administrative Council").

Article 9 (Projects to Create Village Communities) (1) The Mayor may provide administrative support for projects to create village communities falling under any of the following and subsidize the project cost within the budgetary limits:
1. Improvements in the residential environment and public facilities;
2. Promotion of businesses in a village;
3. Preservation and improvement of the environment and landscapes;
4. Reciprocal cooperatives utilizing resources of a village;
5. Promotion of the welfare of village communities;
6. Support to organizations and institutions related to village communities;
7. Preservation of culture, art and history of villages;
8. Operation of village schools;
9. Research and surveys related to village communities;
10. Other projects deemed suitable to create village communities.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), where a project falls under any of the following, the Mayor shall not provide support: <Newly Inserted by Ordinance No. 5516, Aug. 1, 2013>
1. Where the project is promoted for the purpose of friendship;
2. Where the project is promoted for the purpose of supporting a specific political party or a candidate for an elected position, or disseminating the doctrines of a specific religion.

Article 10 (Application for Support) (1) Any resident who intends to receive support for a project to create a village community shall submit an application for support for the project to create a village community to the Mayor or the head of a Gu, as provided in an action plan for the creation of the village community under Article 7. <Amended by Ordinance No. 5516, Aug. 1, 2013>
(2) Where the Mayor or the head of a Gu receives an application for support, he/she shall review the necessity, validity, etc. of a project, and determine whether to provide support, the amount of a subsidy, etc.: Provided, That he/she may limit the number of times applications for support for the same or similar project are filed by the same resident or organization, as provided in rule. <Amended by Ordinance No. 5475, May 16, 2013>
(3) Where necessary to review applications under paragraph (1), the Mayor or the head of a Gu may request supplemental documents, etc. <Newly Inserted by Ordinance No. 5516, Aug. 1, 2013>

Article 10-2 (Selection of Projects Eligible for Support) (1) Where the Mayor receives an application for support for a project to create a village community pursuant to Article 10, he/she shall select the project eligible for support for the village community following deliberations by the Council for the Selection of Projects. In such cases, he/she shall officially announce the result of the selection on the web site, etc. of the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
(2) The Council for the Selection of Projects shall be composed of not more than ten persons including representatives of the residents, experts in the related fields, public officials, etc., and detailed methods of the composition and operation thereof shall be provided by rule.
[This Article Newly Inserted by Ordinance No. 5516, Aug. 1, 2013]

Article 10-3 (Reporting, etc.) Any resident who receives support for a project to create a village community shall submit to the Mayor a report including the result of the promotion of the relevant project, details of the exact calculation of the project cost, details of the self-evaluation, and other matters prescribed by the Mayor.
[This Article Newly Inserted by Ordinance No. 5516, Aug. 1, 2013]

Article 11 (Evaluation and Prize) (1) The Mayor shall analyze and evaluate projects every year, and where necessary, he/she may request a specialized institution to analyze and evaluate projects.
(2) Where necessary to evaluate projects, the Mayor may require citizens, related organizations, etc. to participate in the process of evaluation.
(3) The Mayor may reimburse those who have participated in evaluations pursuant to paragraph (2) for actual expenses within the budgetary limits.
(4) The Mayor may give a prize to residents, civic groups, etc. that have contributed to the creation of village communities.
[This Article Wholly Amended by Ordinance No. 5516, Aug. 1, 2013]

Article 12 (Recovery of Project Cost) Where the Mayor deems that a case falls under any of the following, he/she may require a resident to return the project cost:
1. Where the resident uses the project cost for purposes other than what it was intended, or violates the conditions of support;
2. Where the resident violates Acts and subordinate statutes or Ordinances;
3. Where the resident receives the project cost by deception or other fraudulent means;
4. Where the project has been delayed for at least six months without just cause;
5. Where the resident violates matters provided in this Ordinance or makes a false report.

Article 13 (Use of Property Amassed) Where a resident intends to use property amassed by means of financial support for the project for other purposes, transfer, exchange or rent such property, he/she shall obtain approval from the Mayor in advance.

CHAPTER III COMMITTEE ON VILLAGE COMMUNITIES OF SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT Article 14 (Establishment and Functions) (1) The Committee on Village Communities (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") shall be established in the Seoul Government to deliberate on policies and projects to create village communities and request advice and suggestions on the direction of development.
(2) The Committee shall deliberate on the following matters concerning village communities:
1. Formulation of a basic plan and an action plan for the creation of village communities;
2. Support for projects to create village communities;
3. Entrustment (including the renewal of a contract) and operation of the Integrated Support Center for village communities of the Seoul Government (hereinafter referred to as the "Integrated Support Center");
4. Formulation of a yearly business plan of the Integrated Support Center;
5. Other matters deemed necessary to create village communities.

Article 15 (Composition) (1) The Committee shall be composed of not more than 20 members including two co-chairpersons and one vice chairperson.
(2) The Deputy Mayor for political affairs and one person elected from among the appointed members shall become the two co-chairpersons, and the vice chairperson shall be elected by the Committee from among its members.
(3) The members shall consist of ex officio members and appointed members, and the directors of relevant departments, such as the fields of innovation, housing, economy, welfare, culture, and autonomous administration, shall become ex officio members.
(4) Appointed members shall be appointed by the Mayor from among those who fall under any of the following: <Amended by Ordinance No. 5516, Aug. 1, 2013>
1. Two members of the Seoul Metropolitan Council recommended by the chairperson of the Seoul Metropolitan Council;
2. Those who have experience in working with nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations related to the creation of village communities as executives or employees;
3. Those who have experience in the position of associate professor or a higher position, or the position corresponding thereto in a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization and the field related to public administration of a university or public research institute;
4. Other residents who have knowledge of and experience in the creation of village communities.
(5) The Committee shall have an executive secretary to conduct its affairs, and the officer in charge of village communities shall become the executive secretary.

Article 16 (Term of Office) (1) The term of office of appointed members shall be three years and they may be reappointed only once: Provided, That the term of office of a member newly appointed due to a vacancy among the appointed members shall be the remainder of the term of office of his/her predecessor. <Amended by Ordinance No. 5516, Aug. 1, 2013>
(2) The term of office of an ex officio member shall be the period during which he/she holds the office.

Article 17 (Duties, etc. of Chairpersons) (1) The Chairpersons shall represent the Committee and preside over its affairs.
(2) The Vice Chairperson shall assist the Chairpersons, and where the Chairperson is unable to perform his/her duties for unavoidable reasons, the Vice Chairperson shall perform his/her duties on his/her behalf.

Article 18 (Meetings, etc.) (1) The Meetings of the Committee shall be classified into regular meetings and special meetings, and the Committee shall hold regular meetings twice a year and hold special meetings where a case falls under any of the following:
1. Where the Mayor requests the Chairperson to convene a special meeting;
2. Where at least one third of the incumbent members requests the Chairperson to convene a special meeting;
3. Other cases where the Chairperson deems it necessary to convene a special meeting.
(2) A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum and any decision thereof shall require the concurring vote of a majority of those present.

Article 19 (Hearing of Opinions, etc.) Where necessary in relation to agenda items to be discussed, the Committee may require relevant public officials, experts and residents to attend its meetings to hear their opinions, and to make explanations or submit data. <Amended by Ordinance No. 5516, Aug. 1, 2013>

Article 20 (Minutes) The administrative secretary of the Committee shall prepare and keep the minutes of meetings.

Article 21 (Allowances) The Committee may pay allowances and travel expenses to members who are not public officials, related experts, etc. who have attended its meetings within the budgetary limits.

CHAPTER IV INTEGRATED SUPPORT CENTER, ETC. FOR VILLAGE COMMUNITIES OF SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT Article 22 (Establishment of Integrated Support Center) The Mayor may establish the Integrated Support Center to promote projects in a systematic manner.

Article 23 (Functions of Integrated Support Center) The Integrated Support Center shall perform the following functions:
1. Formulation and implementation of a business plan of the Integrated Support Center;
2. Basic surveys of village communities, and analysis, evaluation of and research on the projects thereof;
3. Support for the formulation and implementation of a business plan of village communities;
4. Projects to establish and operate the network of civic groups for village communities;
5. Discovery and fostering of able persons of village communities;
6. Education, public relations and dissemination related to the creation of village communities;
7. Management of resources for the creation of village communities;
8. Other matters deemed necessary to support the creation of village communities.

Article 24 (Management and Operation) (1) The Mayor may entrust the management and operation of the Integrated Support Center to a relevant corporation, organization, etc. to efficiently manage and operate it.
(2) The period of entrustment under paragraph (1) shall be three years, and where the Mayor deems it necessary, he/she may renew the agreement following deliberations by the Committee.
(3) An institution entrusted with the management and operation of the Integrated Support Center shall formulate a yearly business plan and obtain approval from the Mayor following deliberations by the Committee.
(4) The Mayor may subsidize expenses incurred in the operation of the Integrated Support Center, the project cost, etc. within the budgetary limits.
(5) Where the Mayor deems it necessary to efficiently operate the Integrated Support Center, he/she may dispatch public officials under his/her jurisdiction pursuant to the provisions of Article 30-4 of the Local Public Officials Act. <Amended by Ordinance No. 5516, Aug. 1, 2013>

Article 25 (Guidance and Supervision) (1) The Mayor may require an institution entrusted with the operation of the Integrated Support Center to report necessary matters in relation to the conduct of affairs entrusted to it, or examine documents, facilities, etc. necessary for the guidance and supervision of affairs entrusted to it.
(2) Where the Mayor deems that the conduct of affairs entrusted to an institution entrusted with the operation of the Integrated Support Center is unlawful or unreasonable as a result of an examination under paragraph (1), he/she may take necessary measures.
(3) Where the Mayor takes measures pursuant to paragraph (2), he/she shall give notification in writing to an institution entrusted with the operation of the Integrated Support Center and provide it with an opportunity to state its opinion in advance.

Article 26 (Cancellation, etc. of Entrustment Agreement) (1) Where an institution entrusted with the operation of the Integrated Support Center falls under any of the following, the Mayor may cancel an entrustment agreement:
1. Where such institution violates Acts and subordinate statutes or Ordinances;
2. Where such institution violates the entrustment agreement.
(2) Where the Mayor intends to cancel an entrustment agreement pursuant to paragraph (1), he/she shall provide an institution entrusted with the operation of the Integrated Support Center with an opportunity to state its opinion in advance.
(3) Where an entrustment agreement is cancelled pursuant to paragraph (1), an institution entrusted with the operation of the Integrated Support Center shall return facilities entrusted to it and intellectual property accumulated without delay.

Article 27 (Relationship to other Acts and Subordinate Statutes, etc.) Except as otherwise provided in other Acts and subordinate statutes or Ordinances, this Ordinance shall apply to the promotion of the creation of village communities.

Article 28 (Enforcement Rules) Matters necessary for the enforcement of this Ordinance shall be prescribed by the rule.

ADDENDUM <Ordinance No. 5262, Mar. 15, 2012>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Ordinance No. 5475, May. 16, 2013>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Ordinance No. 5516, Aug. 1, 2013>
This Ordinance shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.