[Seoul District News] Gangdong-gu Supports 118 Fans for Elderly Rooms to Prevent Heatwave Blind Spots... Jongno-gu's Inwangsan Post Library and Forest Rest Area Win Seoul Architecture Award Excellence Prize... Seongdong-gu Recruits 150 Members for Seongsu Urban Regeneration Leaders... Mapo-gu Signs Child-Friendly City MOU with Good Neighbors... 9 out of 10 Seocho Residents Report Reduced Illegal Trash Dumping... Songpa-gu's Mascots 'Songsong' and 'Papa' Compete in 4th Our Neighborhood Character Contest... Geumcheon-gu Hosts 2021 Innovative Administration Best Practice Competition... Guro-gu,
Gangdong-gu Supports 118 Senior Love Rooms with Fans
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon) has provided fans to 118 designated 'Senior Love Rooms' as heat shelters to supplement outdated cooling facilities.
Despite the escalation to social distancing level 4 due to the heatwave alert and the COVID-19 pandemic, the district continues to operate the 'Senior Love Rooms' as heat shelters for elderly residents who have lost places to rest. This is to prevent blind spots in heatwave protection.
So far, the district has implemented various supports to help residents using heat shelters spend a healthy and comfortable summer. Private facilities such as banks and hospitals designated as heat shelters (95 locations) received masks and hand sanitizers; 126 Senior Love Rooms and welfare centers were provided with cooling cushions; and recently, fans were delivered to all Senior Love Rooms designated as heat shelters to supplement outdated cooling facilities.
An official from the district said, "We hope that elderly residents who endure the heat at home due to economic reasons or other circumstances can come to nearby heat shelters and spend the summer cool and safely."
Gangdong-gu operates a total of 243 heat shelters in places such as the district office building, community service centers, and welfare facilities as a proactive response to summer heat damage. All heat shelters have designated quarantine managers and strictly follow quarantine rules to ensure safe spaces from COVID-19.
Jongno-gu’s Inwangsan Guard Post Bookstore and Forest Rest Area Win Excellence Award at Seoul Architecture Awards
Jongno-gu (Mayor Kim Young-jong) achieved the honor of winning the Excellence Award at the 39th Seoul Metropolitan Government Architecture Awards for transforming a scheduled-to-be-demolished police guard post into the 'Inwangsan Guard Post Bookstore' for citizens and repurposing a military guard post into the 'Forest Rest Area.'
Started in 1979 and now in its 39th year, the Seoul Metropolitan Government Architecture Awards is the most prestigious award in Seoul’s architecture field, recognizing building owners and designers who contribute to architectural culture and technological development. This year, 84 works were reviewed through document and on-site evaluations to select the final winners.
The 'Inwangsan Guard Post Bookstore,' which won the Excellence Award, is a case where a guard post building, previously used by police forces for protection after the 1968 Kim Shin-jo incident (an attempted North Korean raid on the Blue House), was reborn as a rest space for citizens instead of being demolished.
Since Inwangsan was fully opened to the public in 2018, the number of visitors increased, but new construction was difficult due to various regulatory laws such as military control zones and urban natural park zones. Jongno-gu proposed to the Blue House to regenerate the guard post for citizens instead of demolishing it, focusing on the beautiful surrounding mountain terrain.
Over three years, collaboration was established with experts in architecture, landscaping, and other fields, and residents’ opinions were gathered to remodel and extend the existing reinforced concrete structure of the guard post. The result is a modern building that preserves traces of the original guard post, rare in downtown Seoul.
Opened in November 2020 on the Inwangsan footpath, the guard post bookstore consists of a bookstore and rest area, designed so visitors can enjoy nearby scenery from anywhere inside the building, adding a special touch. It has been recognized as a public building reflecting Jongno’s social and cultural values, winning the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s Best Active Administration Award and the Korea Public Architecture Award last year.
Additionally, the 'Inwangsan Forest Rest Area' is a notable place transformed from a former military guard post located mid-mountain into a rest area for hikers and a forest interpretation and exhibition space.
After signing a joint use agreement with the Ministry of National Defense (Capital Defense Command), the lower part preserved the existing reinforced concrete pilotis structure, and the upper part was built as an eco-friendly wooden structure. It is scheduled to open to the public after September.
Mayor Kim Young-jong said, "We are very pleased that both the Inwangsan Guard Post Bookstore and Forest Rest Area won the Excellence Award at the Seoul Architecture Awards. This achievement was possible thanks to the support and trust of related organizations and residents. We will continue to strive to create eco-friendly spaces that enhance residents’ convenience and promote both physical and mental health."
Seongdong-gu Recruits 150 ‘Seongsu Urban Regeneration Leaders’
Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) is recruiting 150 participants for the ‘Seongsu Urban Regeneration Leaders’ (hereafter ‘Leaders’) program from the 11th to the 20th to promote urban regeneration through various content experience activities.
The ‘Leaders’ are a children’s experience group consisting of students attending elementary schools (Gyeongdong, Gyeongil, Gyeongsu, Seongsu) in the area, who participate in experience programs operated by local businesses and workshops within the Seongsu urban regeneration area to feel the current status of Seongsu-dong revitalized by urban regeneration projects.
The experience programs were designed based on resident surveys reflecting needs such as career exploration and include seven diverse courses like creating one’s own image.
Additionally, local businesses and workshops running one-day classes are connected to provide activities such as making key rings from biodegradable materials derived from recycled plastics and making cosmetics using natural ingredients, to raise awareness of recycling and environmental importance.
A gardening course beneficial for emotional development is also offered, where participants plant and nurture purification plants. Each program is designed for parents and students to participate together to increase engagement and interest.
Seongsu-dong, now a trendy hot spot called the ‘Brooklyn of Korea,’ was selected as a pilot urban regeneration area in 2015. The project was completed last year and is considered a representative success case of urban regeneration in Korea. Once a typical semi-industrial area in Seoul in the 1970s with many old buildings and poor residential environments, it has regained vitality through urban regeneration projects featuring handmade shoe streets, unique cafes converted from old factories, and red brick villages.
Resident participation is emphasized as a core element of urban regeneration projects. This program aims to strengthen family communication and foster community spirit, with experiences held at the ‘Seongsu Urban Regeneration Industrial Innovation Space,’ ‘Seongsu Sharing Center,’ and ‘Seongsu Urban Regeneration Support Center,’ encouraging continuous resident participation and interest.
The program will be conducted in small groups following COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. Interested participants can apply by filling out an application form on the official blog of the Seongsu Urban Regeneration Support Center.
A parent who participated in the survey, Mr. Kim, said, “Due to COVID-19, children have limited opportunities for experiences, so it seems like a great chance for kids to participate in experience programs linked with workshops in Seongsu-dong, famous for urban regeneration. I will actively participate.”
Mayor Jung Won-oh said, “Successful urban regeneration projects are based on resident participation, so strengthening residents’ capabilities is important. We will continue to activate the community and establish a self-reliant foundation by making the most of Seongsu-dong’s unique characteristics.”
Yongsan-gu’s Multicultural Family Psychological Therapy Project Receives Positive Response
“Every play therapy session, the teacher brought a big box, and my child was very happy and excited to play with the toys inside. After a few months, I feel my child has grown a lot. After play therapy, my child helps the teacher clean up and now plays while explaining with me. I am very grateful to have met such a caring and good teacher.”
This is the story of a foreign woman raising a 6-year-old boy in Yongsan-gu.
Seoul Yongsan-gu (Mayor Sung Chang-hyun), Sookmyung Women’s University (President Jang Yoon-geum) Campus Town Project Group, and Yongsan-gu Healthy Family & Multicultural Family Support Center (Director Han Seon-gyu) are gaining positive responses through the ‘Yong-Sook Regional Win-Win Project.’
The project includes psychological therapy for multicultural family parents and children and quality improvement education for local social welfare institutions.
Psychological therapy for multicultural families was conducted from March to July over five months, with master’s students led by Professor Lee Young-ae of Sookmyung Women’s University’s Graduate School of Psychological Therapy conducting 12 to 17 sessions of art and play therapy for 14 multicultural family parents and children.
Play therapy, which addresses developmental and psychological issues through play, received enthusiastic responses from parents and children. Most expressed a desire to participate again if similar programs are offered.
Quality improvement education for social welfare institutions will be conducted in the second half of the year. Needs will be surveyed to support skill development of welfare workers, followed by online training. Considering COVID-19, education is planned in a non-face-to-face (online) format.
Mayor Sung Chang-hyun said, “The district is making great efforts to help multicultural families overcome daily difficulties. We will continue to expand regional win-win projects involving academia and government.”
Jungnang-gu Provides Up to 1.19 Million KRW Support for Oriental Medicine Treatment for Infertile Couples
Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) supports the cost of oriental medicine infertility treatment to reduce the economic burden on couples struggling with infertility.
Eligible applicants are residents who have lived in Seoul for more than six months as of the application date, diagnosed with unexplained infertility at a hospital, and women aged 41 or younger.
Selected participants can receive 90% support for three months of oriental medicine infertility treatment herbal medicine costs (up to 1.19 million KRW). Applications can be made once a year, with support up to twice. Basic livelihood security recipients and low-income households receive full support.
Couples wishing to apply must first conduct a self-assessment for eligibility on the Seoul Pregnancy and Childbirth Information Center website (seoul-agi.seoul.go.kr). Then, they submit the results along with infertility diagnosis documents online.
Selected couples choose one of the designated oriental medicine clinics in the area for treatment. The designated clinics include Shoulder Dongmu, Jejung, Kyunghee Sarangchae, Hanguru, Oh Hyun-seung, Saam Eunseong, Kyunghee Sol, Kim Yong, Kyunghee Life Tree, and Maeil Baekse, totaling 10 clinics.
Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi said, “We hope this support project brings good news to infertile couples who desperately want children. We will continue to work on various aspects from childbirth support to childcare to make Jungnang-gu a good place to have and raise children.”
Mapo-gu Signs Child-Friendly City Business Agreement with Good Neighbors
Mapo-gu (Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) signed a business agreement on the 11th with Good Neighbors Seoul Headquarters (Director Yoo Hye-seon) to promote specialized projects for the child-friendly city of Mapo-gu.
Based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, this agreement entails mutual cooperation between Mapo-gu and Good Neighbors Seoul Headquarters in promoting the 'Happy Wash & Bubble' project emphasizing child health and hygiene practices.
The 'Happy Wash & Bubble' project, promoted as a child-friendly city specialized project by the district, is a health hygiene practice and experience program that educates children on the importance of handwashing to prevent COVID-19 and allows them to experience related activities firsthand.
Children participating in the program watch videos and promotional materials to learn about the global COVID-19 infection situation and the preventive effects of handwashing, and use bacterial culture kits to directly observe differences in bacteria before and after handwashing. The goal is to help children recognize their right to protect their health through handwashing.
The program also includes activities to make soap, enhancing play rights by learning while playing with family. The district plans to conduct 'Happy Wash & Bubble' education from September, accepting participation applications from local elementary schools.
Under the agreement, the district will closely cooperate with Good Neighbors in various areas such as project promotion and publicity. The education program will be conducted simultaneously online and offline, linked with Good Neighbors’ health hygiene online program.
Yoo Hye-seon, Director of Good Neighbors Seoul Headquarters, said, “Children’s basic rights, including the right to health, are under great threat due to COVID-19. Through this agreement, we will strive to establish a social foundation where children, families, and communities can actively protect children’s rights.”
A child-friendly city is a community that practices the fundamental spirit of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, where all children under 18 enjoy sufficient rights. Mapo-gu has been working on establishing a foundation for a child-friendly city since enacting the ordinance in December 2018, forming a promotion committee, and conducting surveys to assess child-friendliness.
Additionally, the district launched the ‘Child-Friendly Website’ in March to provide an overview of child policies and allow suggestions, and appointed three independent ombudspersons to represent children’s rights in April, actively promoting child-friendly policy projects.
Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun said, “We hope this program, experienced at school and home, will help children recognize their rights. We will collaborate with schools, education offices, and the community to protect and promote children’s rights and create a happy Mapo.”
Yangcheon-gu Holds Naming Contest for ‘Galsan Cultural Complex Facility’
Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Kim Soo-young) is conducting a naming contest for the ‘Galsan Cultural Complex Facility’ from the 11th to the 17th.
The tentatively named ‘Galsan Cultural Complex Facility’ (located at 163-8 Sinjeong-dong) is scheduled for completion early next year. It will be a 5,295.88㎡ facility with two basement floors and four above-ground floors. Inside, it will house the Yangcheon Cultural Center office, a small performance hall, exhibition rooms, a medium auditorium, and lecture rooms, becoming a representative cultural and artistic space in the Galsan area, which has lacked cultural infrastructure.
The contest is open to all Yangcheon residents. There is no limit on the number of proposals per person, but only one award will be given per person. If identical entries are submitted, only the first received will be recognized.
The winning entry will be announced on August 23 on the Yangcheon-gu website. One grand prize winner, two excellence award winners, and two encouragement award winners will be selected. Prizes include gift certificates worth 100,000 KRW for the grand prize, 50,000 KRW for excellence awards, and 30,000 KRW for encouragement awards.
Residents wishing to participate can download the application form and personal information consent form from the Yangcheon-gu website’s public notice section and submit them via email to the person in charge (gomjee@yangcheon.go.kr). For more details, contact the Culture and Sports Division.
Mayor Kim Soo-young said, “We hope a friendly and easily accessible name that expresses the symbolism of the Galsan Cultural Complex Facility, a representative cultural space in the area, will be selected.”
Songpa-gu’s Representative Characters ‘Songsong & Papa’ Compete in 4th Our Neighborhood Character Awards
Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Sung-soo) announced that its representative characters ‘Songsong and Papa’ will compete in the ‘4th Our Neighborhood Character Awards,’ a nationwide character contest, facing fierce competition with 101 characters from 60 local governments and 41 public institutions nationwide.
The ‘Our Neighborhood Character Awards’ is a contest hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by the Korea Creative Content Agency to select beloved characters from local governments and public sectors nationwide.
This year, 10 characters will be selected as finalists through online voting and expert judging, with total prize money of 30 million KRW and support for promotion and follow-up projects.
Preliminary online voting runs until 5 p.m. on August 17. Voters can cast up to two votes each in the local and public sectors, for a maximum of four characters, on the Our Neighborhood Character website. The top 10 characters from each sector will advance to the finals.
‘Songsong and Papa,’ newly introduced on July 1 last year, are the first local government characters to symbolize the Korean initials of the city’s name with various meanings. The ‘ㅅ’ represents a heart symbolizing residents’ happy lives, and the ‘ㅍ’ resembles a bridge symbolizing a city connecting diverse values and cultures.
‘Songsong and Papa’ are used in various district promotional materials such as retro cups, slide grip-toks, sculptures around Seokchon Lake and Songpa Dullegil, and banners, and are loved by residents for their cute and friendly appearance.
The district is conducting a certification event during the voting period to encourage active participation. After voting, participants who submit proof via a Naver form will be entered into a draw to receive coffee coupons for 200 people. Details are available on the district’s blog.
Mayor Park Sung-soo said, “A city’s brand and character represent its identity and unite its members. We ask residents to actively vote so that ‘Songsong and Papa’ can win the competition, and we hope for continued support as they serve as the district’s representative characters.”
Geumcheon-gu Holds 2021 Innovative Administration Best Practices Competition
Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon) will hold the ‘2021 Innovative Administration Best Practices Competition’ from August 12 to September 2, a 22-day event.
The competition aims to discover innovative cases in various fields to realize ‘Happy City Geumcheon Neighborhood by Neighborhood’ and spread them throughout the organization.
This year’s competition features 17 innovative administrative cases competing fiercely, including Seoul’s first senior convenience store ‘Come to the Kind Store,’ smart bicycle rack development and installation, Anyangcheon pedestrian bridge (Geumcheon Han-nae Bridge) installation project, enjoying Geumcheon with smart tourism electronic maps and ON-tact, pilot introduction of smart management for disabled parking zones, and creating safe villages where safety stays in every alley.
Evaluation will be conducted online to prevent COVID-19 spread. A 15-member evaluation panel of residents and officials will conduct document reviews from August 12 to 19. Online voting via the ‘National Thinking Box’ platform will be held from August 12 to 25 for Geumcheon residents and workers to select 10 projects.
On September 2, a field evaluation will select the final seven best cases (1 grand prize, 2 excellence awards, 4 encouragement awards) for awards.
Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon said, “Following last year, this competition provides an opportunity to discover and spread various innovative cases. We will continue to create innovative results that residents can feel and strive to realize ‘Happy City Geumcheon Neighborhood by Neighborhood.’”
Gwangjin-gu Opens First-Come, First-Served Registration for Learning Naruteo Program Participants
Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Sun-gap) will operate the ‘2021 Second Half Learning Naruteo Program’ to provide diverse lifelong learning opportunities to local residents.
Learning Naruteo is a neighborhood-level lifelong learning space operated since 2018 to guarantee residents’ nearby learning rights, designated and operated in 10 community centers and 3 institutions.
Learning Naruteo runs lifelong learning programs reflecting residents’ learning demands and develops into ‘Learning-Practice Projects,’ community-linked activities sharing what was learned after course completion.
Based on the first half’s operation status and satisfaction surveys, the district planned the second half’s Learning Naruteo programs and Learning-Practice Projects to enrich residents’ learning experiences.
The second half’s program includes 32 courses ranging from hobby art courses like macram?, kalimba, and watercolor painting to practical courses like home baking, natural cosmetics, napkin art, storytelling, and humanities courses such as cinema food trips, gender sensitivity, art humanities, and emotional coaching.
Gwangjin-gu plans to develop a ‘Gwangjin-style Learning-Practice Project’ model, forming learning communities centered on local activists called learning managers to support continuous activities.
Additionally, about 10 Learning-Practice Projects will be conducted to solve local community issues through learning with residents.
Classes will be conducted with a mix of online and face-to-face sessions, adjusting class sizes and strictly following quarantine guidelines considering COVID-19.
Applications and details are available on the Gwangjin-gu website or through the Education Support Division.
Mayor Kim Sun-gap said, “We will revitalize neighborhood lifelong learning centers so that all residents can enjoy the joy of learning and achieve growth individually and socially.”
Gangseo-gu Provides Disinfection Services to Dream Start Case Management Children’s Households
Seoul Gangseo-gu (Mayor Roh Hyun-song) is conducting ‘Clean Home Disinfection Services’ for Dream Start children’s households with poor living environments.
With the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, children spend more time at home, increasing interest in living environments.
The district will provide disinfection services to 105 households selected through case meetings, including those living in poor conditions such as basements and rooftop rooms and those with poor hygiene.
The purpose is to help children grow healthily in clean and comfortable living environments.
The project is conducted through an agreement with a disinfection specialist company. Professional consultants visit the target households twice by September to provide disinfection services.
The disinfection service includes COVID-19 prevention, pest extermination, and bacterial control through sequential disinfection.
First, contamination areas and pest occurrence sites in the home are identified and diagnosed. Then, disinfection is performed in these areas, and integrated solutions for improving living environments, including guidance on maintaining cleanliness, are provided.
The district expects this service to proactively improve unsanitary living environments, which constitute passive neglect, preventing future child abuse and neglect issues and greatly aiding children’s health and emotional stability.
Mayor Roh Hyun-song said, “We hope this project helps maintain healthy daily lives for vulnerable children’s households. We will do our best to ensure children, the future generation, grow happily in hygienic environments.”
Jung-gu Strengthens Child Abuse Prevention Measures
Jung-gu (Mayor Seo Yang-ho) announced a significant strengthening of child abuse prevention and post-management measures.
Since the publicization of child abuse investigations in October last year, 40 cases of child abuse have been reported in the district, with 75% of perpetrators being parents. The most prominent characteristic of perpetrators was lack of parenting attitude and methods (44%), and the most common abuse type was multiple abuse (57%), combining physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect.
In March, a 10-year-old child was left outside the door by the biological father, reported by neighbors. Investigation revealed continuous outdoor exposure and physical abuse signs, leading to the child’s separation. In May, a suspected abuse case of a 1-year-old child living in unsanitary conditions was confirmed as abuse and the child was moved to a temporary care facility.
The district formed a ‘Child Abuse Response Information Linkage Council’ with Namdaemun Police Station, Jungbu Police Station, Jungbu Education Support Office, and Child Protection Agency to maintain an organic and immediate response system for suspected or confirmed abuse cases.
Since July, a Jung-gu Case Decision Committee composed of seven experts including doctors, lawyers, and child specialists has been established to discuss child-specific management plans, including admission and discharge from care facilities, family reunification, parental rights restrictions, and guardian appointments.
In cooperation with related agencies, the district regularizes case management to secure expertise and strengthens tailored support for post-management of abused children and family relationship recovery.
The district is pursuing designation of dedicated medical institutions for one-stop medical examinations and diagnoses for abused children. As part of awareness campaigns, it plans child abuse prevention slogan contests, online community challenges, and child rights film screenings to engage residents.
Additionally, ‘Visiting Neighborhood Parent Coaching Education’ will provide training on proper parenting techniques, stress management, and prohibition of corporal punishment.
Mayor Seo Yang-ho said, “The tragic death of Jeong-in, who lived only 16 months in abuse, deeply saddened and troubled all citizens.”
.
9 out of 10 Seocho Residents Say Illegal Dumping Has Decreased
According to a survey conducted by Seocho-gu (Mayor Cho Eun-hee) on 600 residents and business owners aged 19 and over, 9 out of 10 residents perceive a decrease in illegal dumping in the area. The results were announced on the 11th.
Regarding the question about whether illegal dumping has decreased in the area, 94.2% of respondents felt a decrease on main roads, and 91.0% felt a decrease in side streets and residential areas.
Compared to the same survey in December last year, the perception of decreased illegal dumping increased by 10.8 percentage points on main roads (from 83.4% to 94.2%) and 7.2 percentage points in side streets and residential alleys (from 83.8% to 91.0%).
Additionally, 75% of respondents said they are aware of the correct garbage disposal methods (how, where, and when), which is 14.8 percentage points higher than the 60.2% in December last year.
According to district officials, this reflects the significant impact of concentrated guidance, enforcement, and public awareness campaigns against illegal dumping.
When asked about policy tasks to eradicate illegal dumping, 55.9% chose ‘establishing correct garbage disposal awareness,’ followed by ‘strengthening guidance and enforcement’ (20.9%), ‘expanding recycling bins’ (11.1%), ‘expanding surveillance equipment’ (9.6%), and ‘implementing rewards and incentives’ (2.5%).
Based on this survey, the district plans to relocate CCTV to 20 habitual illegal dumping sites and strengthen enforcement. It will also intensify guidance in areas with low awareness of proper garbage disposal.
Since February last year, the district has been conducting strong enforcement against illegal dumping. Upon first detection, a ‘Illegal Dumping Confirmation Letter’ is issued; from the second detection, fines are imposed. Last year, 81 fines were issued, and 55 fines were issued by the end of July this year.
Additionally, since October last year, LED logo projectors have been installed in 15 habitual illegal dumping areas to raise residents’ awareness and foster a proper garbage disposal culture.
Mayor Cho Eun-hee said, “We will continue to enforce and guide illegal dumping to establish a proper garbage disposal culture among residents. We will actively respond to residents’ needs by relocating CCTV and expanding recycling bins in residential areas to realize a clean Seocho.”
Gangbuk-gu Conducts Online Voting for Resident Participation Budget Proposal Selection
Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Kyum-soo) is conducting online voting until the 28th to select this year’s resident participation budget proposals.
The resident participation budget system allows residents to participate in budget formulation by proposing and selecting necessary local projects. Selected projects after resident voting and general meetings are included in next year’s budget.
The 12 projects up for voting include installing pest control devices in Ui Stream, creating safe playgrounds, and others. The Resident Participation Budget Committee held non-face-to-face meetings by six subcommittees to review feasibility and prioritize projects.
Residents can vote via the M-Voting app or website. Project selection reflects 40% resident votes and 60% committee votes. The final five projects within a 500 million KRW budget will be decided at the September resident general meeting. Results will be published on the Gangbuk-gu website.
Last year, 10 projects including smart library creation and pedestrian crossing floodlight installation were selected; seven have been completed and three are ongoing.
Mayor Park Kyum-soo said, “We hope many participate to select projects essential for our community. We will strive to implement residents’ final choices as next year’s projects.”
Guro-gu Conducts Youth Policy Voting Until the 25th
Guro-gu (Mayor Lee Sung) is conducting youth policy voting.
The district announced on the 12th that youth can directly select desired policies in areas closely related to their lives through voting until the 25th.
Eleven projects across three areas?traffic safety, educational rights, and environmental culture?are candidates. Voters select one project per area.
Traffic safety projects include expanding bicycle lanes near schools, increasing traffic lights near schools, and free use of public bikes for youth commuting.
Educational rights projects include expanding youth leisure facilities in public spaces, financial education for youth, self-directed learning guidance in public reading rooms and youth institutions, and school violence prevention education.
Environmental culture projects include creating youth-only zones in libraries, building youth sports facilities, redesigning trash bins for street environment improvement, and establishing no-smoking zones with stricter fines in educational and youth facilities.
Youth wishing to participate can vote via the ‘District Mayor’ app, available on Google Play Store and Apple Store.
Projects with the most votes will be proposed to the district office after approval by the youth council in November and review by relevant departments.
Eunpyeong-gu Operates ‘Seoul Salpimi App’ to Prevent Solitary Deaths of Single-Person Households
Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) has been operating the ‘Seoul Salpimi App’ since last month to prevent solitary deaths and check on vulnerable residents using smart technology.
This aims to address care blind spots caused by difficulties in visiting residents due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.
The ‘Seoul Salpimi App’ sends an alert message to pre-registered phone numbers and community center staff if no phone usage or message/call activity is detected during a designated time. Guardians and community center staff then contact the resident or coordinate with fire and police departments for visits and provide tailored welfare services as needed.
The district plans to install the app for 1,025 residents at high risk of solitary death or requiring frequent checks, including elderly living alone, dementia patients, and middle-aged single-person households (ages 50-64), establishing a rapid crisis response system.
The app is available for Android users via Google Play Store or One Store. Residents other than welfare recipients can also install the app to use its functions.
Mayor Kim Mi-kyung said, “If you worry about the wellbeing of family members living alone due to COVID-19 limiting face-to-face contact, we encourage using the Seoul Salpimi App. We will strengthen community care systems using smart technology to build a more robust social safety net.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
