[Seoul District News] Geumcheon-gu Extends Application Period for Support to Closed Small Businesses Until December 10... Jungnang-gu Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center Conducts 1-on-1 Self-Introduction Letter Review Program for 300 Examinees... Gangdong-gu Shares Urban Agriculture Smart Farm Harvests
Yongsan-gu Supports Survival Funds for Small Business Alley Markets
Yongsan-gu (Mayor Seong Jang-hyun) is providing survival funds to small business owners struggling due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.
The support targets 5,630 small businesses in six industries subject to gathering bans under COVID-19 prevention measures and those with annual sales under 50 million KRW.
The six industries under gathering bans (entertainment bars, colatecs, karaoke bars, emotional bars, hunting pubs, and holdem pubs) will receive 1.5 million KRW, while small businesses with annual sales under 50 million KRW in 2020 will receive 500,000 KRW. Duplicate support is not allowed.
The application period is from August 9 to September 8 (9 AM to 5 PM). Applicants must have registered their main business location in Yongsan-gu before December 31 of last year and be currently operating.
Small business owners wishing to apply can prepare the application form and required documents and choose between 'online' or 'in-person' submission. Online applications are available on the district website, and in-person submissions can be made at the 4th floor survival fund reception desk at the district office.
To prevent congestion and delays due to a large number of applicants, a five-day rotation system based on the last digit of the birth year is in place: if the last digit is 1 or 6, apply on Monday; 2 or 7 on Tuesday; 3 or 8 on Wednesday; 4 or 9 on Thursday; 5 or 0 on Friday. From August 23, applications are accepted regardless of birth year. However, those who violate administrative orders such as gathering bans or business restrictions, are currently closed or suspended, have not registered for VAT, have not reported sales to the National Tax Service, operate in unhealthy industries such as gambling or speculation, or are non-profit organizations, corporations, or unincorporated associations are excluded from support.
The district will review documents and notify applicants of results via text message. Funds will be paid within 20 days of application and only to the applicant's bank account.
Mayor Seong Jang-hyun of Yongsan-gu said, "We have prepared support funds to help small business owners hit hard by COVID-19. We hope many will apply as the funds will be distributed promptly."
Geumcheon-gu Extends Application Period for Support to Closed Small Businesses Until December 10
Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon) is extending the application period for support funds for small business owners who closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Since May 31, the district has been providing 500,000 KRW as preparation funds for reopening to small business owners who closed after business suspension orders.
Originally scheduled to end on July 30, the period has been extended to December 10 to accommodate those who missed the deadline, and the closure cutoff date has been expanded to November 30.
Applicants can prepare the required documents and forms posted on the Geumcheon-gu website and apply in person at the 1st floor Alley Economy Support Center until July 30, and from August 2 at the 11th floor Regional Economy Division.
Additionally, applications via fax or email (gc2371@geumcheon.go.kr) to the Alley Economy Support Center are accepted anytime during the application period. The program may close early if the budget is exhausted.
Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon said, "As closures due to COVID-19 are expected to continue, we decided to extend this support to help small business owners get back on their feet. Geumcheon-gu will stand with them."
Jongno-gu Partners with KB Kookmin Card to Accelerate Reusable Cup Usage Project
Jongno-gu (Mayor Kim Young-jong) has been steadily working to create a sustainable city where people and the environment coexist, based on the small and large efforts of community members.
On the 22nd, the district signed a business agreement with KB Kookmin Card (President Lee Dong-chul) in the mayor’s office for a carbon diet eco-friendly reusable cup project, pledging to contribute to greenhouse gas reduction and resource conservation by promoting reusable cup use.
Under this agreement, the district will handle reusable cup production, promotion, and events, while KB Kookmin Card will manage cup washing, internal promotion, and event participation.
Before the official launch, an implementation group was formed in February, and since March, nine meetings and pilot operations have been conducted. The project is meaningful as it was carried out through public-private cooperation from planning to budget sharing and execution.
Starting August 2, the eco-friendly reusable cup project will provide all beverages sold at the district office’s ‘Plus Cafe’ and KB Kookmin Card headquarters’ ‘Dada Cafe’ in reusable cups.
The reusable cup is named the ‘1.5℃ Cup,’ reflecting the commitment of Jongno-gu and KB Kookmin Card to keep global temperature rise within 1.5 degrees Celsius to overcome the climate crisis.
Returned cups are collected from return boxes on each floor and undergo high-temperature (above 110℃) and high-pressure washing and sterilization by a professional cleaning company before reuse. Jongno-gu explains that this thorough cleaning process makes reusable cups safer than disposable cups in terms of infection prevention and hygiene.
Jongno-gu has been promoting the ‘1·1·1 Lifestyle Practice Movement’ climate action project since last year to reduce greenhouse gases, a major cause of climate change. The project encourages individuals to reduce 1 ton of greenhouse gases per year through daily practices to create a safe and healthy planet.
Other initiatives include operating the ‘Jongno-gu Climate Action Practice Council,’ promoting digital carbon footprint reduction by changing digital device usage habits, and the ‘Children’s 111 Lifestyle Practice Movement.’
Mayor Kim Young-jong said, “This project with KB Kookmin Card, which pursues sustainable management, is the first joint action of the ‘Jongno-gu Climate Action Practice Council.’ We will continue to carry out resident-centered practical projects to save our one and only Earth. We ask for your interest in using eco-friendly reusable cups.”
Jungnang-gu Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center Conducts 1:1 Personal Statement Editing Program for 300 Local Examinees
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) is conducting a non-face-to-face 1:1 customized personal statement consulting program for 300 local examinees until the end of August.
This program, held at the Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center, is designed to help students applying through comprehensive student record screening prepare successful personal statements tailored to their target schools and departments.
Participating students receive assistance from professional education instructors (former university admissions officers) to write personal statements and improve them through one-on-one editing guidance.
Applications open on July 27. Students can apply through their current schools or individually via the Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center website (Admissions Support → Personal Statement Consulting) by selecting preferred dates and times.
The consulting sessions last about one hour and are conducted online via video conferencing to prevent COVID-19 spread. If social distancing eases, in-person sessions will be offered.
From October, a mock interview program will also be available, providing one-on-one interview consulting based on personal statements to help students prepare for real interviews and enhance practical skills.
Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi said, “We hope this one-on-one personal statement consulting helps students successfully enter their desired schools. We will continue to provide customized academic support to ensure no student is left behind.”
Gangdong-gu Shares Smart Farm Harvests
Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jung-hoon) operates a smart farm (plant cultivator) at the Pamix Center in Sangil-dong, packaging harvested crops into ‘harvest bundles’ and delivering them to socially vulnerable groups, realizing social value and pioneering urban agriculture.
The smart farm can be installed indoors or outdoors and uses IoT technology to artificially control lighting, humidity, temperature, moisture, and nutrients.
It allows year-round crop cultivation and can be monitored and adjusted remotely via computer or mobile devices. IoT-based agriculture is expected to contribute to urban agriculture activation.
Leafy vegetables such as Fidel, Charles, and Red & Green Glace have been harvested, totaling about 5.2 kg recently. In May, produce bundles were delivered to the Godeok 1-dong Community Center, and on the 13th, eco-friendly produce bundles were given to 25 vulnerable households via Sangil 1-dong Community Center.
Gangdong-gu plans to continue monthly sharing events of smart farm harvests with vulnerable groups in the community.
Mayor Lee Jung-hoon said, “Through sharing harvested crops from the smart farm integrating new technologies, we are approaching future-oriented smart urban agriculture. We will do our best to realize community values connecting people through future social urban agriculture.”
Dobong-gu Receives Goods Worth 100 Million KRW from Hope Sharing People Association
Dobong-gu (Mayor Lee Dong-jin) received daily necessities worth 100 million KRW from the Hope Sharing People Association (Chairman Kim Jung-an) on the 20th.
The association, sponsored by Aekyung Industrial, donated about 2,000 boxes of items including toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, and cosmetics to Dobong-gu. The district plans to distribute these goods to low-income residents through community centers and local social welfare facilities.
Established in 2007, the Hope Sharing People Association is a social welfare organization that supports various sharing activities for low-income groups. Since signing a business agreement with Dobong-gu in 2017, it has provided annual support of daily necessities and various assistance for the community and neighbors.
Mayor Lee Dong-jin said, “We sincerely thank Aekyung Industrial and the Hope Sharing People Association for their generous donations during difficult times. We will carefully ensure that warm hearts are delivered along with the goods to low-income residents.”
Seodaemun-gu Holds Personal Statement Special Lecture and 1:1 Counseling for College Admission Early Decision
Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) will hold a ‘Personal Statement Writing and Interview Success Strategy Special Lecture’ for 300 local examinees and parents on the 28th from 7:30 PM for two hours.
The lecture will be conducted online via ZOOM by Jang Kwang-won, author of books such as ‘Everything about Comprehensive Student Record Screening from an Admissions Officer’s Perspective.’
Following the lecture, from August 13 to 15, 9 AM to 5 PM, ‘1:1 Personal Statement Writing Counseling’ will be held at the 2nd floor auditorium of Hong Eun 2-dong Community Center.
Each 50-minute session accommodates 8 people, with a total of 168 participants over three days. Admission consultants provide individual counseling based on personal statements and mock exam scores.
The district organized this to help students comprehensively prepare for early college admissions. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis via the Seodaemun-gu lifelong learning portal.
Mayor Moon Seok-jin said, “Through Seodaemun-gu’s annual admission support programs, we hope many students can reduce trial and error and achieve the best results.”
Seocho-gu Hosts ‘Da(茶) Together Character Education’ for a Happy Life
Seocho-gu (Mayor Cho Eun-hee) will sequentially hold the ‘2021 Seocho Humanities Academy’ online from July to comfort residents weary from the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic by inviting notable speakers.
Now in its fourth year, the Humanities Academy promotes a lifelong learning culture of communication and empathy, inviting speakers annually to enhance residents’ quality of life. It has become a signature mind-healing program for Seocho-gu.
This year’s academy focuses on character education combining tea (茶) and etiquette, delivered online by Seo Eun-joo, director of the Korea Early Childhood Tea Ceremony Research Institute. It aims to foster harmonious character development through proper posture and mindset while drinking and serving tea, teaching basic etiquette for daily life and promoting positive self-concept and self-regulation training.
Seocho-gu makes Korean tea ceremony culture accessible and enjoyable at home and educational institutions through tea-based character education. The academy features emotion-centered play education and includes simple tea snack making.
The academy will produce 10 videos in five themes each for children and adults. The first lecture for children covers proper character development with topics such as greeting properly, practicing listening, what etiquette is, filial piety, and early childhood tea ceremony (tea and health).
The second lecture for adults addresses well-being and healthy tea stories with topics including tea lovers in their 20s and 30s, relaxing tea characteristics, tea & coffee caffeine, tea types and health, and the benefits of waiting and emptiness in tea life.
Tea ceremony education videos will be uploaded sequentially on Seocho-gu’s YouTube recommended channel ‘Seocho Peace Project.’ They are available to all residents and will be used as educational materials in local kindergartens and daycare centers.
Mayor Cho Eun-hee said, “Through lifelong education filled with tea fragrance, we hope to comfort residents’ hearts weary from the prolonged pandemic. We wish this to be an opportunity for all residents, from children to adults, to learn together anytime, anywhere and live happy lives.”
Ancient Greek Poet ‘Sappho’s Life Portrayed on Stage at Sinchon Culture Development Center
Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) will stage the third work of the ‘Odd Eye Project,’ titled ‘Glass Garden,’ at the Sinchon Culture Development Center (57 Yonsei-ro 2na-gil).
As the dictionary meaning of ‘Odd Eye’ is ‘eyes with different iris colors,’ this project introduces plays by playwrights who write with unique perspectives on diverse realities and discourses within society.
The performances run from August 6 to 14 at 7:30 PM on weekdays and 4 PM on Saturdays, with no shows on Sundays and Mondays.
The project is part of the Sinchon Culture Development Center’s ‘Creative Process Support Program’ to foster young artists’ creative foundations and promote artistic activities.
Following playwright Jang Young’s ‘FAN’ (directed by Kim Mi-ran) in April and playwright Lee Hong-do’s ‘Lee Hong-do Autobiography (My Playwriting Life)’ (directed by Song I-won) in June, the new work ‘Glass Garden’ by playwright and director Ahn Jung-min and the creative group ‘Bluebeard’ will be staged.
‘Glass Garden’ tells the story of ‘Sappho,’ known as the first female poet in Western history. Plato called her the ‘tenth muse’ for her outstanding poetry, but little is known about her life today.
Most of Sappho’s poems have been lost, with only a few surviving. Writer-director Ahn Jung-min reimagines Sappho as a female writer challenging authority in conservative Athenian society, based on her life and brief poems.
Ahn Jung-min debuted with ‘Lonely Bath’ at the National Theater’s ‘Young Playwrights Festival’ and presented ‘Green Voice’ at the National Theater’s Children and Youth Theater Research Institute. His work ‘Egg’s Work’ was selected for the ‘2020 Creative Workshop New Work’ contest, gaining attention for creating new female narratives featuring female heroes.
‘Glass Garden’ is free for viewers aged 13 and above via Naver reservation and runs for 70 minutes.
To comply with social distancing, audience capacity is limited to 30% of total seats, with temperature checks and electronic entry logs required for all attendees.
The Sinchon Culture Development Center supports young artists’ creative activities and growth by providing detailed preparation support for each creative stage through the ‘Creative Process Support Program.’
Jung-gu Supports 100 Dongdaemun Market Wholesale Businesses to Enter Online Sales
Jung-gu (Mayor Seo Yang-ho) is actively supporting Dongdaemun traditional market wholesalers to enter domestic and international online sales, aiming to revitalize the Dongdaemun Fashion Town commercial district.
Dongdaemun has about 25,000 fashion wholesale businesses and was long an internet desert. However, with the rising popularity of Korean fashion on various SNS and the acceleration of market onlineization, the distribution environment is rapidly changing.
Accordingly, the district is implementing a sales support project to help Dongdaemun merchants respond quickly to the changing environment through online and mobile business, allowing domestic and international consumers to experience K-fashion’s global competitiveness.
Instead of fragmented support, a systematic comprehensive support plan includes online store setup, product photography, live sales broadcasts, and global expansion.
Each business will open an online store and receive one month of product upload support. Training, expert selection of products with celebrities and MDs, product photography, buyer lounge showroom exhibitions, and online sales support are provided.
Product photography for online sales is by reservation through Naver’s system, and promotional video production is also supported.
To help merchants enter the booming live commerce market, from August, monthly live broadcasts with influencers will be held, and logistics and delivery processes, which merchants often find challenging, will be supported.
The project application period is until the 28th, and any merchant operating within Dongdaemun Fashion Town can apply.
Applications can be submitted via QR code or in person at the Dongdaemun Buyer Lounge on the 4th floor of DDP Fashion Mall. Selected businesses will be notified individually after screening.
The district plans to use the Dongdaemun Buyer Lounge, established in 2018, as a base. The lounge serves as a business space for domestic and international buyers and promotes Dongdaemun market’s excellent products and specialized brands to attract new buyers. It is located on the 4th floor of DDP Fashion Mall.
The education company participating in the Dongdaemun online sales support project is DMI Networks, a live commerce broadcasting and education specialist with experience in the Chinese market.
This project is expected to transfer accumulated experience and know-how to Dongdaemun small business owners and provide new sales opportunities.
Additionally, a global B2B sales event is planned, and discussions with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) are underway regarding Dongdaemun online store setup for overseas exports.
For details, contact the Jung-gu Traditional Market Division or the Buyer Lounge on the 4th floor of DDP Fashion Mall. Mayor Seo Yang-ho said, “We hope this support provides practical help to Dongdaemun merchants struggling with COVID-19 and rapid distribution environment changes. We will continue to work in various ways to revitalize the local economy in cooperation with local businesses.”
Gangseo-gu Holds Climate Change Response Poster Contest
Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Roh Hyun-song) is holding a climate change response poster contest for elementary and middle school students in the district to raise awareness about climate change among future generations.
Recently, unexpected frequent heavy rains, heatwaves, and other abnormal weather have caused increasing damage, highlighting the seriousness of climate change issues.
The district planned this contest to provide children with time to think about climate change and consider practical ways to respond.
The contest theme is the will to act against climate change, including causes and response efforts to global warming and climate change, and practical methods to reduce greenhouse gases and save energy in daily life.
Any student enrolled in elementary or middle schools in the district can participate. Elementary students should submit posters on 8-cut paper, and middle school students on 4-cut paper.
Applicants should submit completed works and application forms to the Green Environment Division of Gangseo-gu Office by mail or in person between July 26 and September 15. Postal submissions are valid only if received by the deadline.
Details and application forms are available on the Gangseo-gu website under ‘News Plaza - Notices/News.’
A judging panel of three local art teachers recommended by the education office will select 25 winners by October 15.
One grand prize will be awarded overall, with three excellence awards and five encouragement awards each for lower elementary (grades 1-3), upper elementary (grades 4-6), and middle school divisions.
Results will be posted on the Gangseo-gu website in November, and winners will be notified individually.
Winners will receive certificates signed by the Gangseo-gu mayor. Considering COVID-19, no separate award ceremony will be held; schools will award prizes autonomously.
Selected works will be exhibited online and offline at the Gangseo-gu Office, district libraries, and Gyeomjae Jeongseon Art Museum to raise residents’ interest in climate change.
Dongdaemun-gu Recruits Support Targets for RFID Food Waste Meter Installation to Reduce Food Waste Until October 29
Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol) supports installing RFID food waste meters that charge fees based on the amount of food waste disposed to reduce food waste and protect the environment.
Applications for support are open in the second half of this year until October 29.
RFID food waste meters use household waste cards to charge fees according to the amount of food waste disposed, preventing excessive disposal due to free riding and ensuring fairness in fee burden.
Analysis shows that food waste disposal in complexes with RFID meters decreased by 34% compared to before installation, proving their effectiveness. The meters also prevent external exposure of food waste bins, improving aesthetics and reducing odors, which residents appreciate.
The RFID meter support project has been in place since 2015. So far, 521 units have been installed in 93 complexes in Dongdaemun-gu, with about 42,150 households (70% of 57,118 households in apartment complexes) using RFID meters.
Households in apartment complexes with 60 or more units or general housing with 15 or more units that have not yet installed RFID meters can apply for support until October 29. General housing with 15 or more units can apply for prepaid meters (in partnership with T-money), with maintenance costs also supported by the district.
Applicants can download application forms and related documents from the Dongdaemun-gu website’s RFID meter menu and submit them via email (chu4243@ddm.go.kr) or in person.
For details, contact the Waste Management and Resource Circulation Team at Dongdaemun-gu Office.
Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol said, “As environmental pollution becomes serious, measures to reduce food waste are urgent. We will actively support more apartment complexes to use RFID meters to reduce food waste.”
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