Nowon-gu Supports Installation of Air Conditioners in Apartment Security Offices

Investment of 200 Million KRW, Up to 480,000 KRW Support per Unit... Year-Round Applications Accepted Until Budget Exhaustion, with Active Guidance During January-February Peak Application Period

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it will support the installation of air conditioners in security offices to improve the working environment of apartment security guards.

Recently, as issues such as power harassment and assault against security guards have been raised as social problems, voices calling for improvements in the treatment of security guards and the poor working conditions have increased.

In particular, enduring the heatwave in a narrow security office without air conditioning during the hot summer is cited as the most difficult aspect for security guards.

The district recognizes the installation of air conditioners in security offices as a matter of human rights protection and amended the Nowon-gu Residential Complex Support Ordinance in Seoul in November 2020. Starting this year, it has allocated 200 million KRW from the district budget to support up to 480,000 KRW per unit for air conditioner installation.

In January, a survey on the installation status and demand for heating and cooling devices in residential complex security offices was conducted. Among 1,390 security offices in 276 complexes, only 62.6% (871 locations) had air conditioners installed, and among the 521 locations without air conditioners, 439 were found to be capable of installation.

Applications for support can be submitted by visiting the district office’s Residential Complex Support Division after approval by the residents' representative meeting. Required documents include the application form, proof of approval from the residents' representative meeting (such as meeting minutes), a business plan, and site photos.

The application deadline is until the budget is exhausted.

To actively promote the project, the district set February 5 as the intensive application period and sent notices containing support conditions and procedures by mail to residents' representatives, building managers, and others.

The district reviews the submitted documents and conducts on-site inspections to determine the feasibility of air conditioner installation and decide on support. Once support is approved, the residents' representative signs an agreement with the district office, installs the air conditioner, and submits a settlement report to receive the subsidy.

Furthermore, to expand the air conditioner installation project in security offices, starting this year, additional points will be awarded to residential complexes with air conditioner installations when selecting residential complex support projects.

Meanwhile, the district plans to prioritize support for complexes without installations and, within the remaining budget, support the replacement of old air conditioners.

District Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “Many residents share a consensus on improving the working environment of security guards,” and added, “We will strive to expand various support projects so that security guards and other residential complex workers can work in a safe and respectful environment.”