Increase in 'Donation Benches' in Jongno-gu?... Kim Soon-ui Administrative Director and Lim Young-woong Fan Club Donations

Civil Servant Nearing Retirement, Citizen Celebrating Marriage Proposal, and Im Young-woong Fan Club Join Donation Campaign

A bench donated to Cheongjin Park by Kim Soon-ui, Director of Administration of Jongno-gu, ahead of retirement at the end of this month

Bench donated by Lim Young-jung fan club

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jongno-gu (District Mayor Kim Young-jong) is continuing the "More Benches to Rest Project" this year, following last year, in response to the increasing public demand for outdoor non-face-to-face resting spaces in the city due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

This project, which has been underway since August last year to expand resting spaces for socially vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled residents and to create a restful Jongno, operates both a 'donation type' based on voluntary participation from companies and citizens, and a 'public type' carried out by each department of the district office.

The official name of the bench is "Your Seat," which means "a chair you donate and use, a comfortable resting space for your neighbors (you)."

The bench designs vary from single to triple seats depending on the installation location and donation amount. Each bench is equipped with a nameplate bearing special inscriptions such as well-wishes requested by the donors to express the meaning of their donation.

In 2021, Jongno-gu has been continuously promoting the More Benches to Rest Project in connection with key projects such as "Urban Clearing," "Healthy City," and "Garden City." Donations from companies and citizens who sympathize with the district’s intentions have steadily continued this year as well.

Notably, this month, a public official nearing retirement donated a bench to Cheongjin Park, and a citizen commemorating a marriage proposal donated a bench to Samcheong Park, adding special significance.

Additionally, to celebrate singer Lim Young-woong’s 31st birthday, the fan club "Hero Era With Hero" donated five benches and two crape myrtle trees to Heunginjimun Park.

On the upcoming September 6th, to commemorate "Resource Circulation Day," SAMPYO Group plans to donate ten eco-friendly upcycled benches they developed, which will be installed in Wonseo Park and other locations.

Meanwhile, last year, Jongno-gu received donations from companies such as SAMPYO Group and SM Gold Exchange GoldU, as well as various organizations including the Jongno-gu Sports Council and citizens, installing a total of 60 benches at 28 locations within the district.

District Mayor Kim Young-jong said, "The benches installed through donations will support citizens’ outdoor activities in the city and play a positive role in alleviating depression caused by COVID-19," adding, "We will actively promote the More Benches to Rest Project so that residents can rest comfortably anytime and anywhere while observing social distancing."