Opening of Our Neighborhood Rest (休) Laundry for Yongsan-gu Self-Support Workers

33㎡ Area... Equipped with Four Large and Small Capacity Washers and Dryers Each, Providing Affordable Laundry Services for Self-Support Workers

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yongsan-gu (District Mayor Seongjanghyun) held an opening ceremony for ‘Uri-dongne Hyu (休) Laundry’ (Hangang-daero 96-gil 8) on the 23rd.

The event lasted 30 minutes, including guest introductions, a greeting from the deputy mayor, a plaque unveiling ceremony, and commemorative photos. About 30 people attended, including Deputy Mayor Yuseungjae and Yongsan Community Self-Support Center Director Shin Minjeong.

Uri-dongne Hyu Laundry is a facility that provides affordable laundry services to local self-support workers (conditional beneficiaries).

The facility covers 33㎡ and is equipped with four large and small capacity washing machines capable of washing blankets, and four dryers. Approximately 600 people are eligible to use the facility. The usage fee is 1,000 KRW per use. To prevent overcrowding, usage is limited to five times per person per month.

The facility is operated by the Yongsan Community Self-Support Center (Director Shin Minjeong). Nine self-support workers affiliated with the center take turns managing the facility. Operating hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

A district official said, “There was a demand for public laundromats among vulnerable residents who find it difficult to wash clothes and blankets,” adding, “Hyu Laundry is a case that achieves both welfare service provision and job creation.”

Additionally, the official stated, “In the long term, we plan to expand the business into paid laundry services in partnership with nearby guesthouses, jjimjilbangs, and saunas.”

Besides operating the laundromat, the district is conducting various self-support projects to assist low-income individuals with work capabilities.

Representative projects include the ‘Smile Clean Cleaning Team,’ ‘Whirlwind Car Wash Team,’ and ‘Uri-dongne Convenience Store Team,’ centered around the Community Self-Support Center. In November, the fourth branch of Uri-dongne Convenience Store (Sowol Branch) will open in Yongsan 2-ga-dong.

Yongsan District Mayor Seongjanghyun said, “We have started operating a kind laundromat for self-support workers,” and added, “The district will actively support low-income workers so they can stand on their feet again.”