[Interview] Lee Seong, Guro-gu Mayor: "We Will Do Our Best to Eliminate Blind Spots in Children's Safety"

This Year, 4.138 Billion KRW Invested to Expand Speed Cameras in Child Protection Zones, Install Solar-Powered LED Safety Signs, Pedestrian Signals for School Routes, Replace Old/Damaged Safety Fences, Expand Waiting Areas at Crosswalks, Maintain Connected Safety Facilities, Install Yellow Traffic Lights, and More... ‘Smart Intersection Alert’ System Established Around Elementary Schools... Nationwide First ‘Child Safety Ordinance’ Enacted for Child School Vehicles

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] "Every time I hear about accidents involving children, my heart aches deeply. Emphasizing child safety can never be overstated. We are making every effort in various ways to create an environment where children can grow up safely and happily."

Lee Sung, the mayor of Guro District, said this in an interview with Asia Economy, noting that his first campaign pledge in the 2010 election was to make Guro a "child-friendly district."

While many local governments now talk about "child-friendly cities," this was a very unfamiliar slogan at the time. Through three terms in office, Mayor Lee has implemented many policies to create a child-friendly environment. Recently, he has focused his efforts on eliminating blind spots in child safety.

This year, Mayor Lee is investing 4.138 billion KRW to significantly expand safety facilities within child protection zones. Based on the amendment to the Road Traffic Act known as the "Min-sik Act," a comprehensive plan to prevent child traffic accidents has been established to expand and improve traffic safety facilities around elementary schools, kindergartens, and daycare centers.

Accordingly, new projects include increasing speed enforcement cameras in child protection zones, installing solar-powered LED safety signs, setting up pedestrian signals on school commute routes, replacing old or damaged safety fences, expanding waiting areas in front of crosswalks, maintaining pedestrian safety facilities linked to protection zones, and installing yellow traffic lights.

Projects such as creating the Guro-style child pedestrian-specialized street called "Amazon" (a zone where children can freely run and play), installing yellow carpets and yellow footprints, expanding speed warning signs, and constructing new speed bumps are also ongoing. CCTV installations in child protection zones have increased annually from 164 units in 2010 to 516 units as of the end of last year.

Recently, "smart intersection alerts" using smart technology were installed on roads near four schools: Guil Elementary, Oryu Nam Elementary, Dongguro Elementary, and Deokui Elementary. These safety facilities measure and display real-time traffic conditions to inform both drivers and pedestrians.

The alert panels for drivers help them recognize their vehicle speed to prevent speeding. The pedestrian alert panels provide visual and auditory information to notify pedestrians of approaching vehicles. When no vehicles are approaching, both devices display traffic safety messages to raise residents' awareness of traffic safety. Two locations were installed in 2018, with plans to add six more this year.

Since 2018, Guro District has also been operating a daycare center safety service using smart technology. This service transmits real-time child-related information to parents and daycare teachers through an Internet of Things network, devices carried by children, and location tracking devices attached to school buses and daycare centers. It allows real-time monitoring of children’s and school buses’ locations and boarding/alighting times, helping to prevent school bus accidents.

Mayor Lee attracted attention in 2013 by enacting the nation’s first "Child Safety Ordinance" concerning school buses. The ordinance includes special protection for school buses, standards for school buses, designation and management of child protection zones, and implementation of child safety education.

The ordinance prohibits overtaking school buses carrying children and requires drivers to stop temporarily and proceed slowly when school buses are loading or unloading children. It also mandates that school bus drivers check whether children are seated before departing.

According to the ordinance, child safety education is conducted annually at about 200 schools and childcare facilities. The education covers topics such as natural disasters, water accidents, traffic accidents, sexual violence, and abduction, tailored to the children’s level of understanding.

Mayor Lee said, "Children virtually experience dangerous situations and learn how to respond. We conduct satisfaction surveys after each session to improve the educational content."

Non-GMO ingredients are supplied to elementary schools to enhance the quality and safety of school meals. Support expanded from three schools last year to ten schools this year.

Mayor Lee stated, "Through various projects, I will carefully ensure there are no gaps in child safety. I will fulfill the role of guardian so that children, the future of our community, can run and grow freely."