Im Taek, the mayor of Dong-gu, Gwangju, is sitting in front of a computer webcam, encouraging employees working on the front lines of COVID-19 prevention, and urging the discovery of new priority policies and comprehensive measures for stabilizing citizens' lives during Chuseok.
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Im Taek) is taking the lead in ‘Untact (non-face-to-face) administration’ to proactively respond to the rapidly changing social trends caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.
Dong-gu announced on the 2nd that it held the first non-face-to-face video conference of the monthly ‘Sympathy Square,’ which is usually held on the first week of every month to promote communication, harmony, and a lively workplace atmosphere, on the 1st.
On that day, Mayor Im Taek sat in front of the computer camera in his office to encourage employees working hard on the front lines of COVID-19 prevention and urged the discovery of new key policies and comprehensive measures for stabilizing citizens’ lives ahead of Chuseok.
Taking this video conference as an opportunity, the district decided to convert all existing face-to-face meetings, such as expanded executive meetings, to non-face-to-face video conferences starting from the 7th to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
In particular, it has taken swift steps such as forming a response promotion team and a private advisory committee to prepare comprehensive measures for the post-COVID-19 era.
The promotion team is expected to begin detailed discussions on establishing a ‘Comprehensive Plan for Post-COVID-19 Preparedness’ as early as October.
Along with this, various Ontact (online face-to-face) services are being provided for residents as part of ‘psychological quarantine’ to support residents exhausted by COVID-19 depression.
Programs that stimulate residents’ humanities sensibilities have been converted to non-face-to-face formats. Representative programs include ‘2020 Reading Dong-gu, Book of the Year,’ ‘2020 Dong-gu Humanities University,’ ‘COVID-19 Blue Coexistence and Healing Humanities,’ and ‘Humanities Talk Relay with Humanities Celebrities.’
‘2020 Reading Dong-gu, Book of the Year,’ which started as a grassroots reading movement in July, can be participated in online. It operates in a reading relay format where teams of three or more read and discuss books recommended by reading experts together.
Additionally, a non-face-to-face reading culture program for elementary school students in the district is also being operated. As library closures have been prolonged, the program aims to maintain students’ intimacy with books through non-face-to-face reading guidance.
It is operated through the real-time interactive video channel ‘ZOOM’ and can be accessed via smartphones or PCs. Applications can be made through the integrated library homepage.
Ontact services are mainly provided through ‘Dong-gu YouTube.’ Due to the spread of COVID-19, all existing face-to-face lectures are being broadcast online.
Students who spend more time at home due to remote classes can watch the ‘Youth Humanities Classroom’ and ‘Humanities Golden Bell Contest’ through Dong-gu YouTube, including the ‘Dong-gu Academy.’ The Youth Humanities Classroom, produced in nine lectures across three fields since the 4th of last month, features participants such as Kang Won-guk, a visiting professor at Jeonbuk National University and author of ‘The President’s Writing,’ Professor Jeong Han-min of the University of Science and Technology, and Noh Seong-tae, director of the Namdo History Research Institute, delivering diverse humanities lectures beyond exam-oriented education.
Centered on this lecture series, the ‘Humanities Golden Bell Contest’ will also be held starting this month.
Yoga and strength training exercises for residents’ health are also shared as videos to follow along. Health management videos aimed at alleviating menopausal symptoms and preparing for healthy aging for residents aged 40 to 64 can be viewed on the ‘Menopause Overcoming Team’ Band group.
The ‘Home Learning Online Cognitive Enhancement’ program for dementia patients is also popular. A total of 10 sessions, including self-exercise methods good for immunity, cognitive enhancement worksheets, and growing bean sprouts at home, are posted on Dong-gu YouTube.
Mayor Im Taek said, “All administrative systems will be converted to non-face-to-face in line with the post-COVID-19 era,” adding, “Although everyone is going through a difficult time due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, I hope residents can use the videos produced by the district to heal their mind and body, satisfy their learning desires, and maintain steady health management.”
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