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Nominee Information

Institutional Information
Member State Republic of Korea
Institution Name Seoul Metropoitan Government
Institution Type Ministry
Ministry Type Ministry of Local Government and Community Development
Administrative Level Local
Name of initiative Seoul Neighborhood Tax Attorney Service
Projects Operational Years 3
Website of Institution www.seoul.go.kr

Question 1: About the Initiative
Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories
Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Reaching the poorest and most vulnerable through inclusive services and partnerships
UNPSACriteria
2017.1.1 Introduces an idea, policy, practice or structure that is distinctively new, innovative and unique in the context of a given country or region, for reaching the poorest and most vulnerable and ensuring that they make progress towards the SDGs
2017.1.2 Increases the access of the poorest and most vulnerable people to quality and affordable public services. This can be done notably by addressing the obstacles that hinder their access to public services such as geography, income or other social or economic factors, security issues, care burden, mobility, discrimination related to sex, gender, age, race, ethnicity and other factors depending on the country or regional context. This can also include introducing new approaches to delivering services or claiming rights and obtaining benefits, so that the poorest and most vulnerable can access those more easily.
2017.1.3 Promote partnerships to mobilize and share knowledge, skills, technologies and financial resources to support the poorest and most vulnerable
2017.1.4 Encourage and promote effective partnerships between public, private and civil society organizations to deliver public services or respond to the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. Those can be based on experience and strategies that can empower the poorest and most vulnerable to reach the SDGs in various areas
2017.1.5 Creates mechanisms to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable (and those who represent or assist them) can easily obtain information about public services -notably services related to the SDGs- , related decisions and approaches, as well as about their own rights and entitlements.
2017.1.6 Creates mechanisms that can help the poorest and most vulnerable (and those representing or assisting them) to hold the government accountable on the delivery of public services. This may include mechanisms allowing them to provide feedback on the relevance, quality and cost of public services; report any wrongdoing; initiate investigations; file complaints or request compensation where relevant.
2017.1.7 Introduces mechanisms that ensure that public officials are informed about the special needs of the poorest and most vulnerable, trained and equipped to meet them and held accountable when these needs are ignored or when the rights of the poorest and most vulnerable people are not protected.

Question 3: Sustainable Development Goals
Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
10.1 By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average
10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard
10.4 Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality
11.c Support least developed countries, including through financial and technical assistance, in building sustainable and resilient buildings utilizing local materials

Question 4: Implementation Date
Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 01 Jan 2015

Question 5: Partners
Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
Please provide details

Question 6: Supporting documentation
Will you be able to provide supporting documentation for your initiative? Yes

Question 7: UNPSA Awards
Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 8: Other Awards
Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? No

Question 9: How did you learn about UNPSA?
How did you learn about UNPSA? I learned through the company's public relations document.

Question 10: Validation Consent
I give consent to contact relevant persons and entities to inquire about the initiative for validation purpose. No

Question 1: About the Initiative
Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories
Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Reaching the poorest and most vulnerable through inclusive services and partnerships
UNPSACriteria
2017.1.1 Introduces an idea, policy, practice or structure that is distinctively new, innovative and unique in the context of a given country or region, for reaching the poorest and most vulnerable and ensuring that they make progress towards the SDGs
2017.1.2 Increases the access of the poorest and most vulnerable people to quality and affordable public services. This can be done notably by addressing the obstacles that hinder their access to public services such as geography, income or other social or economic factors, security issues, care burden, mobility, discrimination related to sex, gender, age, race, ethnicity and other factors depending on the country or regional context. This can also include introducing new approaches to delivering services or claiming rights and obtaining benefits, so that the poorest and most vulnerable can access those more easily.
2017.1.3 Promote partnerships to mobilize and share knowledge, skills, technologies and financial resources to support the poorest and most vulnerable
2017.1.4 Encourage and promote effective partnerships between public, private and civil society organizations to deliver public services or respond to the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. Those can be based on experience and strategies that can empower the poorest and most vulnerable to reach the SDGs in various areas
2017.1.5 Creates mechanisms to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable (and those who represent or assist them) can easily obtain information about public services -notably services related to the SDGs- , related decisions and approaches, as well as about their own rights and entitlements.
2017.1.6 Creates mechanisms that can help the poorest and most vulnerable (and those representing or assisting them) to hold the government accountable on the delivery of public services. This may include mechanisms allowing them to provide feedback on the relevance, quality and cost of public services; report any wrongdoing; initiate investigations; file complaints or request compensation where relevant.
2017.1.7 Introduces mechanisms that ensure that public officials are informed about the special needs of the poorest and most vulnerable, trained and equipped to meet them and held accountable when these needs are ignored or when the rights of the poorest and most vulnerable people are not protected.

Question 3: Sustainable Development Goals
Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
10.1 By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average
10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard
10.4 Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality
11.c Support least developed countries, including through financial and technical assistance, in building sustainable and resilient buildings utilizing local materials

Question 4: Implementation Date
Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 01 Jan 2015

Question 5: Partners
Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
Please provide details

Question 6: Supporting documentation
Will you be able to provide supporting documentation for your initiative? Yes

Question 7: UNPSA Awards
Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 8: Other Awards
Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? No

Question 9: How did you learn about UNPSA?
How did you learn about UNPSA? I learned through the company's public relations document.

Question 10: Validation Consent
I give consent to contact relevant persons and entities to inquire about the initiative for validation purpose. No

Question 1: About the Initiative

Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories
Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Reaching the poorest and most vulnerable through inclusive services and partnerships
UNPSACriteria
2017.1.1 Introduces an idea, policy, practice or structure that is distinctively new, innovative and unique in the context of a given country or region, for reaching the poorest and most vulnerable and ensuring that they make progress towards the SDGs
2017.1.2 Increases the access of the poorest and most vulnerable people to quality and affordable public services. This can be done notably by addressing the obstacles that hinder their access to public services such as geography, income or other social or economic factors, security issues, care burden, mobility, discrimination related to sex, gender, age, race, ethnicity and other factors depending on the country or regional context. This can also include introducing new approaches to delivering services or claiming rights and obtaining benefits, so that the poorest and most vulnerable can access those more easily.
2017.1.3 Promote partnerships to mobilize and share knowledge, skills, technologies and financial resources to support the poorest and most vulnerable
2017.1.4 Encourage and promote effective partnerships between public, private and civil society organizations to deliver public services or respond to the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. Those can be based on experience and strategies that can empower the poorest and most vulnerable to reach the SDGs in various areas
2017.1.5 Creates mechanisms to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable (and those who represent or assist them) can easily obtain information about public services -notably services related to the SDGs- , related decisions and approaches, as well as about their own rights and entitlements.
2017.1.6 Creates mechanisms that can help the poorest and most vulnerable (and those representing or assisting them) to hold the government accountable on the delivery of public services. This may include mechanisms allowing them to provide feedback on the relevance, quality and cost of public services; report any wrongdoing; initiate investigations; file complaints or request compensation where relevant.
2017.1.7 Introduces mechanisms that ensure that public officials are informed about the special needs of the poorest and most vulnerable, trained and equipped to meet them and held accountable when these needs are ignored or when the rights of the poorest and most vulnerable people are not protected.

Question 3: Implementation Date

Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 01 Jan 2015

Question 4: Partners/Stakeholders

Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization
Please provide details

Question 5: Required Supplemental Documents

Will you be able to provide supporting documentation for your initiative? Yes

Question 6: UNPSA Awards

Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 7: Other Awards

Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? No

Question 8: Sustainable Development Goals
Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
10.1 By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average
10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard
10.4 Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality
11.c Support least developed countries, including through financial and technical assistance, in building sustainable and resilient buildings utilizing local materials

Question 9: Validation Consent

Do you have any objections to us inquiring about the initiative for validation purposes? No

How did you know about UNPSA?

How did you know about UNPSA? I learned through the company's public relations document.

Nomination form

Questions/Answers

Question 1

Please provide a brief summary of the initiative including the problems/challenges it addressed and the solutions that the initiative introduced (300 words maximum)
This initiative assigns tax attorneys to specific neighborhoods to provide tax advice and protect the tax rights of citizens who lack expert knowledge of the complex tax administration or are unable to bear the burden of the costs involved in appealing tax decisions. Through private-public cooperation, these tax attorneys, designated as Neighborhood Tax Attorneys, provide expert tax administrative services and answer residents’ tax-related questions free of charge. This system protects the tax rights and increases the benefits, convenience, and satisfaction of vulnerable citizens.
a. What are the overall objectives of the initiative?
Please describe the overall objectives of the initiative (200 words maximum)
The overall goal of this initiative is to protect the tax rights and increase the benefits of all people, especially vulnerable members of the community who lack knowledge regarding taxes, including national and regional taxes, and therefore require help from professionals but are unable to receive such help due to financial or other reasons.
b. How does the initiative fit within the selected category?
Please describe how the initiative is linked to the criteria of the category (200 words maximum)
The purpose of the system is to offer tax-related support through tax-counseling services provided through volunteer tax attorneys to vulnerable citizens, such as members of vulnerable groups and micro-enterprise owners, who require professional help regarding tax issues

Question 2

The initiative should improve people’s lives, notably by enhancing the contribution of public services to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the SDGs
a. Please explain how the initiative improves the delivery of public services (200 words maximum)
Through public-private cooperation that combines Seoul’s administrative system and the expertise of tax attorneys, this initiative provides necessary tax-related advice and support for appealing tax decisions to citizens completely free of charge. As a result, this initiative has changed the tax system from a system that unilaterally imposes taxes on the people to an interactive administrative service.

Question 3

The initiative must impact positively a group or groups of the population (i.e. children, women, elderly, people with disability, etc) and address a significant issue of public service delivery within the context of a given country or region.
a. Please explain how the initiative has addressed a significant issue related to the delivery of public services (200 words maximum)
Since taxes apply to everyone, this initiative provides a free tax advice service via phone to people who need help from professionals, particularly members of vulnerable groups who do not have the means to pay for such services. In addition, the volunteer tax attorneys pay visits to community centers to provide tax counseling to vulnerable citizens directly, thereby helping protect their tax rights and increasing their benefits
b. Please explain how the initiative has impacted positively a group or groups of the population within the context of your country or region (200 words maximum)
Counseling services were provided on about 2,000 occasions in 2015, when this initiative was first introduced. In 2017, this figure increased to over 4,000. In 2016, the central government expanded this service nationwide

Question 4

The initiative must present an innovative idea, a distinctively new approach, or a unique policy or approach implemented in order to realize the SDGs in the context of a given country or region.
a. Please explain in which way the initiative is innovative in the context of your country or region (200 words maximum)
The Seoul Neighborhood Tax Attorney Service has changed the public perception of the tax system from a system in which the government unilaterally imposes taxes on the people to an interactive administrative service.

Question 4b

b. Please describe if the innovation is original or if it is an adaptation from other contexts (If it is known)? (200 words maximum)
This is the first free tax support service that has been provided nationwide through the cooperation of both the public and private sectors, combining Seoul’s administrative system and the expertise of tax attorneys.

Question 4c

c. What resources (i.e. financial, human , material or other resources, etc) were used to implement the initiative? (200 words maximum)
This service does not require a budget, as the tax attorneys agree to donate their time and skills and provide their services through Seoul’s administrative system.

Question 5

The initiative should be adaptable to other contexts (e.g. other cities, countries or regions). There may already be evidence that it has inspired similar innovations in other public-sector institutions within a given country, region or at the global level.
a. Has the initiative been transferred to other contexts?
Yes
Daegu Metropolitan City benchmarked this service after the initiative was launched in 2015 and currently provides the Neighborhood Tax Attorney Service in Daegu. In addition, the central government (Ministry of the Interior and Safety) expanded the service to all cities and provinces of South Korea. As a result, Neighborhood Tax Attorneys have been assigned to every local government.

Question 6

The initiative should be able to be sustained over a significant period of time.
a. Please describe whether and how the initiative is sustainable (covering the social, economic and environmental aspects) (300 words maximum)
Tax-related issues are something that everyone must deal with at one point or another in their lives. However, vulnerable groups, who are unable to receive professional help due to the costs involved, are disproportionally affected by such issues. Therefore, the Neighborhood Tax Attorney Service, which recruits volunteer tax attorneys to provide free tax counseling services for vulnerable groups free of charge, is considered to be highly sustainable.
b. Please describe whether and how the initiative is sustainable in terms of durability in time (300 words maximum)
The Constitution of the Republic of Korea stipulates, “All citizens shall have the duty to pay taxes under the conditions as prescribed by Act.” Therefore, all citizens of the Republic of Korea musts pay their taxes; otherwise, they are punished according to the law. As Korea joins the ranks of developed nations, it is becoming increasingly more important for people to file their taxes honestly and for the government to encourage them to do so. Although tax-related issues are something that everyone encounters at some point in their lives, vulnerable groups, who are unable to receive professional help for financial reasons, are especially in need of assistance when struggling to deal with such problems. Therefore, the Neighborhood Tax Attorney Service, a tax counseling service offered free of charge, is believed to be sustainable.

Question 7

The initiative should have gone through a formal evaluation, showing some evidence of impact on improving people’s lives.
a. Has the initiative been formally evaluated?
Yes
If yes, please describe how the initiative was evaluated? (200 words maximum)
On May 2017, a citizen satisfaction survey was conducted of 300 people who have used the Neighborhood Tax Attorney Service by an outside organization specializing in such evaluations.
b. Please describe the outcome of the evaluation of the impact of the initiative (200 words maximum)
The survey results showed that most citizens were satisfied with the service, citing reasons such as “kindness of the tax attorneys when providing explanations,” and wanted the service to be expanded through the recruitment of more tax attorneys. Of the respondents, 89 percent indicated that they intended to use the service again. Overall, citizens have expressed a high level of satisfaction with the Neighborhood Tax Attorney Service.
c. Please describe the indicators that were used (200 words maximum)
Seoul’s Neighborhood Tax Attorney Service is offered over the phone and through face-to-face counseling sessions, when necessary. Therefore, the evaluation of the service focuses mainly on the process through which citizens connect with a Neighborhood Tax Attorney, the accountant’s attitude toward citizens, the quality of service provided, etc.

Question 8

The initiative must demonstrate that it has engaged various actors such as from other institutions, civil society, or the private sector, when possible.
a. The 2030 Development Agenda puts emphasis on collaboration, engagement, coordination, partnerships, and inclusion. Please describe what stakeholders were engaged in designing, implementing and evaluating the initiative. Please also highlight their roles and contributions (300 words maximum)
Seoul’s Neighborhood Tax Attorney Service has enabled tax governance, with Seoul Metropolitan Government effectively linking citizens’ demand for tax counseling services and the volunteerism of tax attorneys. Tax attorneys donate their time and skills to provide the service through a cooperative system, created by the Korea Certified Tax Attorneys Bar-Admitted Members Association (which represents tax attorneys) and Seoul Metropolitan Government, that offers free tax counseling services to those who are in need of help. The operation of this initiative was evaluated by an external organization with a view toward improving the service.

Question 9

a. Please describe the key lessons learned, and any view you have on how to further improve the initiative (200 words maximum)
Initiatives based on citizens’ voluntary participation are always more feasible, sustainable, and effective than others. We hope to expand and reinforce this service to protect the tax rights and interests of taxpayers, so that it may become a customized tax counseling service in the future.

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