Jongno-gu, Recruiting Participants for Local Job Projects

Five areas including ‘Bicycle Mobile Repair Center’, ‘Umbrella Repair and Reuse’, ‘Gukgung Revitalization’, ‘Multicultural Family Support’, and ‘Village Butler Donuidong Hongbanjang’... Eligibility requires residents of Jongno-gu aged 18 or older with work ability, household income below 65% of median income, and assets under 300 million KRW

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jongno-gu (District Mayor Kim Young-jong) is operating the 『2021 First Half Local Community Job Project』 and recruiting participants to promote the livelihood stability of vulnerable groups who find it difficult to get jobs in the private market and to enhance the convenience of local residents.

The operation period of this project is from March 2 to June 30, totaling 4 months. The recruitment fields include five categories: ‘Bicycle Mobile Repair Center’ and ‘Umbrella Repair and Reuse,’ which travel around community service centers to repair broken umbrellas or bicycles; ‘Gukgung Revitalization,’ supporting the restoration of the disappearing traditional Korean archery culture by managing bow and arrow collections, providing exhibition explanations, and operating experience programs; ‘Multicultural Family Support,’ offering interpretation and translation services to alleviate difficulties faced by multicultural families; and ‘Village Butler Donu-dong Hongbanjang,’ participating in small-scale house repairs and village environment beautification for marginalized neighbors living in the Donu-dong gosiwon area.

Eligibility requirements are residents of Jongno-gu who are at least 18 years old and capable of working, with household income at or below 65% of the median income standard and assets under 300 million KRW.

Those wishing to apply must submit an application form, consent forms for personal information and financial information provision, and identification documents verifying the applicant in person at their local community service center by the 26th.

The district will finalize participants on February 17 after reviewing applicants’ income, assets, and exclusion criteria. Selected participants for the first half job project will receive 8,720 KRW per hour and an additional 5,000 KRW per day for snacks. Working hours are up to 30 hours per week for those under 65 years old and up to 25 hours per week for those 65 and older.

Meanwhile, Jongno-gu also promoted various local job projects last year in response to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. This was to recover from the employment shock caused by the largest decline in employment since the financial crisis and the unprecedented surge in actual and temporary unemployment.

Accordingly, vulnerable residents such as low-income groups and the unemployed who need livelihood support were selected and provided with related jobs such as ‘Living Quarantine Support’ and ‘Public Work Support’ to simultaneously promote local economic recovery and prevent COVID-19 infection.

District Mayor Kim Young-jong stated, “We will provide local community jobs to residents facing economic difficulties due to the impact of COVID-19 to support their livelihood stability. Although everyone is struggling during these times, we will implement meticulous policies to address the economic hardships of vulnerable residents.”