[Seoul District News] Mapo-gu's New COVID-19 Screening Clinic and All Staff as Epidemiological Investigators Shine in Proactive Response... Dobong-gu Hosts '2021 Dalak(Lak) Festa' Korean Traditional Music Festival Under Moonlight... Guro-gu Holds Home Delivery Concert 'Invitation to Daily Life'... Dongdaemun-gu Hosts Hwikyung Atelier Flea Market 'Moajang' on Oct 2, 11 AM?5 PM Near Hwikyung Atelier Open Space... Eunpyeong-gu Distributes Free 'Pabari' Character Emoticons
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Mapo-gu (Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) announced that it has achieved the highest S grade among Seoul's autonomous districts in the '2021 Local Government Government Joint Evaluation' conducted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
The government joint evaluation is a comprehensive assessment conducted jointly by relevant central ministries on 17 cities and provinces nationwide, including Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, evaluating the performance of national delegated tasks, national subsidy projects, and major national policies carried out over the past year.
According to the performance evaluation results by 25 autonomous districts conducted by Seoul City, Mapo-gu achieved its goals in 36 out of 42 quantitative indicators for autonomous districts and received high scores in preparation efforts (including qualitative indicators), earning the highest grade. As a result, the district will receive a financial incentive of 33 million KRW from Seoul City.
The district recorded excellent results across all evaluation indicators, including ▲timely establishment rate of essential ordinances ▲discovery and improvement performance of regulatory issues suggested to central ministries ▲utilization rate of public daycare centers ▲achievement rate of greenhouse gas reduction efforts ▲activation of data-based administration ▲discovery and investigation processing rate within the period for welfare blind spots in local governments.
In particular, the district's proactive response to protect residents' safety during the COVID-19 crisis was highly evaluated, including ▲construction of a screening clinic equipped with a negative pressure and ventilation automatic control system and a walking-through testing window ▲nationwide first participation of all staff as on-site epidemiological investigators, which was selected as an excellent case of COVID-19 response.
This result reflects the administrative philosophy of Mapo-gu Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun, who has emphasized 'safety administration' and proactive 'preventive administration' with the belief that residents' safety is the top priority.
Mapo-gu has achieved the remarkable feat of winning awards for 10 consecutive years since being selected as an excellent district in 2012. The secret to consistently achieving such good results lies in the district's efforts to improve underperforming indicators through staff training and frequent inspection meetings, and all employees diligently devoted themselves to their duties to achieve quantitative indicator targets and discover excellent qualitative cases.
Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun of Mapo-gu said, "Being selected for the highest grade for two consecutive years and winning awards for 10 consecutive years is a result achieved by all employees actively performing their duties to provide the best administrative services and a meaningful recognition of our district's excellent administrative capabilities. Although it is a difficult time due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, we will actively carry out administration that satisfies and earns the trust of residents."
Dobong-gu (Mayor Lee Dong-jin) will hold the first traditional Korean music band-centered festival in Seoul, '2021 Dalak (樂) Festa,' from October 10 to 11 at the outdoor stage of Darakwon Sports Park plaza and the Peace Culture Base area in Dobong-gu.
The performances will be held for about 350 minutes over two days from 2:30 PM to 8:40 PM.
'2021 Dalak (樂) Festa' was planned with the intention of overcoming the daily life exhausted by COVID-19 through culture and arts in nature. Especially, reflecting the increasing cultural demand for traditional music as content related to Korean traditional music grows recently, the festival is composed of a Korean traditional music band festival.
The festival features fusion Korean traditional music band performances based on traditional music that can appeal to all generations. ▲Starting with the performance of the Peace Chwita Band ▲'Chudahye Charges,' formed by singer Chudahye and musicians from soul and reggae bands ▲'Gyeongroital,' which showed fresh performances on MBN's 'Joseon Pan Star' ▲'The Narin,' which is opening a new genre by harmonizing Korean traditional and Western instruments, will take the stage.
Tickets can be purchased on Naver, Interpark Ticket, Yes24, Auction, 11st, and the local social commerce platform 'Play Dobong.'
Prices are 37,000 KRW for a one-day ticket and 66,000 KRW for a two-day ticket, with discounts available for ▲Dobong-gu residents ▲people with disabilities and national veterans ▲those who have completed the second dose of COVID-19 vaccination ▲holders of the Artist Pass.
Detailed information about reservations can be found on the official website of Dobong Cultural Foundation and ticketing sites.
Meanwhile, '2021 Dalak (樂) Festa' may be held non-face-to-face depending on the COVID-19 situation, and if switched online, it will be broadcast for a fee on the 'Dobong Cultural Foundation Cyber Dobong Arts Theater.'
Mayor Lee Dong-jin of Dobong-gu said, "Just as many people make wishes and gain strength by looking at the moon, I hope that artists and local residents who have had many difficulties due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic will regain the joy and strength of the old daily life they had forgotten through Korean traditional music under the autumn moonlight."
Guro-gu (Mayor Lee Sung) will hold a 'Delivery to Home' concert to comfort residents exhausted by COVID-19.
This 'Delivery to Home' concert will be held under the subtitle 'Invitation to Daily Life' on October 23 at the outdoor stage of Sindorim Opera House (Exit 3 of Sindorim Station).
Guro-gu plans to strictly comply with quarantine rules such as online pre-reservation system, social distancing seating, temperature checks, and hand sanitization to prevent COVID-19.
The concert will be held twice. At 1 PM, magician Jung Byung-gu's S2 Magic Concert will be held, and at 3:30 PM, the acapella group Exit will perform.
'Exit' is a vocal band recognized domestically and internationally, having won the grand prize at the 2009 Korea Acapella Competition and the grand prize at the 2012 International Acapella Competition held in Shenzhen, China.
Those who wish to apply for viewing can apply through the Guro-gu Office website from 8 PM on the 28th of this month. The first session will accept 50 people (4 tickets per person), and the second session will accept 100 people (2 tickets per person) on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is free.
Guro-gu held an online 'Delivery to Home' concert with a video call fan meeting event in February. This performance will also upload the concert video on the Guro G Festival YouTube channel for viewers who cannot attend in person. However, this 'Delivery to Home' concert may be switched to an online concert depending on the COVID-19 social distancing level and weather conditions.
A Guro-gu official said, "We will continue to prepare various cultural events where residents and artists exhausted by COVID-19 can communicate."
Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon) announced that it will additionally open a 'Drone Making Class' in the Geumcheon Future Science Classroom course, which has been operating since August.
The 'Geumcheon Future Science Classroom' is a project by Geumcheon-gu to support elementary, middle, and high school students in the region to increase their understanding and interest in science and grow into talents for the 4th industrial revolution era.
The 'Drone Making Class' is a course where middle and high school students interested in drones can assemble drone bodies themselves and experience the final flight test. It will be held every Saturday from October 2 to November 27 at the Geumcheon Youth Startup Hub.
Any middle or high school student attending a school in Geumcheon-gu can participate, and 20 students will be recruited on a first-come, first-served basis through Google form applications until September 29.
Geumcheon-gu has been operating the 'Creative Science Class' for elementary students and the 'Coding Drone Class' for middle and high school students online since the end of August, receiving great responses from students.
The 'Creative Science Class' is a course where students can enjoy science technology by making science experience kits such as cleaning robots and smart trash cans, and the 'Coding Drone Class' is an introductory drone course performing missions such as coding, obstacle racing, and swarm flight using a PC and controller.
Detailed information about the Geumcheon Future Science Classroom learning courses can be found on the Korea Humanoid Business Cooperative blog.
Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon of Geumcheon-gu said, "I hope this education will be an opportunity for students to develop and explore their talents through future technologies such as drones and grow further," adding, "We will continue to promote various science education projects so that young people who will lead the future can grow into creative talents."
Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Kim Soo-young) will hold a 'Startup Networking Day' using the metaverse platform, which has recently attracted great attention in various fields, on September 25 for prospective entrepreneurs.
Metaverse is a compound word of Meta, meaning 'virtual,' and Universe, meaning 'world,' referring to a three-dimensional virtual world where economic, social, and cultural activities are possible. Unlike existing video conferences, it is a new technology that can overcome spatial limitations. It is especially meaningful as Yangcheon-gu is holding the first event using the metaverse.
The Seoul Startup Cafe Yangcheon Sinjeong Branch is hosting this event on the metaverse platform 'Gather Town,' where startup mentors will participate to answer questions about overall startup preparation and tax consultation through vivid counseling in the virtual space.
The 'Startup Networking Day,' accessible by connecting to the metaverse platform Gather Town, allows participants to freely move and communicate through their avatars and receive group mentoring related to startup (tax). Startup counseling booths opened in the virtual space will have prospective entrepreneur mentor CEO Ahn Hye-jin, early startup mentor CEO Kim Myung-jin, and tax mentor tax accountant Park Dong-ryeol waiting to provide counseling.
Additionally, charming experience spaces using virtual space are set up throughout, enabling various activities. The experience spaces introduce projects conducted by the Yangcheon Digital Imagination Campus, such as the Metropolitan Job Cafe and Yangcheon Digital Supporters, as virtual objects.
Mini-games and rest areas for participants' socializing will also be prepared.
The metaverse virtual space offers the effect of being at the actual event venue, and the easy access method is expected to encourage active participation and lively communication among participants.
This metaverse 'Startup Networking Day' is free for all prospective and early-stage entrepreneurs. Detailed information can be found and applications made on the Yangcheon Digital Imagination Campus website.
The Seoul Startup Cafe Yangcheon Sinjeong Branch nurtures prospective startup teams in Yangcheon-gu and operates as a startup support space in Yangcheon-gu, fostering webtoon, emoticon, and visual design content businesses.
Mayor Kim Soo-young of Yangcheon-gu said, "As non-face-to-face becomes normalized due to COVID-19, virtual reality using the 'metaverse' is closely permeating our daily lives," adding, "Since content that can be realized beyond the limitations of non-face-to-face methods is infinite in virtual space, Yangcheon-gu will actively introduce it as a communication medium in various projects and events."
Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Chae Hyun-il) has acquired certification as an excellent institution in the '2021 Public Sector Human Resource Development Best Institution Certification Project (Best-HRD)' hosted by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Personnel Management and organized by the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training.
Yeongdeungpo-gu is the only local government to receive certification this year.
The district explained that it was first selected as an excellent institution in 2006 and has been re-certified this year following 2018, recognizing its continuous efforts such as efficient personnel management and various training to enhance job competencies.
The 'Human Resource Development Best Institution Certification System' is a project implemented since 2006 to promote human resource development in public and private institutions. It evaluates efforts in human resource management (recruitment, compensation, placement, etc.) and human resource development (talent nurturing, career management, etc.) and grants certification to excellent institutions.
The certification is valid for three years and offers benefits such as awarding a certificate (plaque), using the certification logo for external publicity, and exemption from regular labor inspections by the Ministry of Employment and Labor for three years.
The evaluation for excellent institution certification includes written and on-site assessments of human resource management and development capabilities and excellence, such as ▲establishment of fair and rational personnel evaluation systems ▲promotion based on individual achievements and competencies ▲inducing and motivating individual self-development efforts ▲diversification of demand-oriented competency development paths.
Yeongdeungpo-gu received good evaluations across various assessment indicators through reasonable organizational operation based on organizational diagnosis, operation of a permanent personnel counseling system, and operation of self-education programs by rank and task reflecting employee needs.
Particularly notable were efforts to improve individual job competencies through fair personnel transfer systems such as the employee preference department system, preferential treatment for employees in heavy workload departments, and promotion systems based on individual achievements and abilities, including position recruitment and designation of specialists.
Under the slogan 'Open Yeongdeungpo,' the district is promoting personnel innovation plans based on 'integrity, performance, and harmony' and is making continuous efforts to establish a customized organization and transparent personnel management system for Yeongdeungpo's leap forward.
The district plans to continue exploring various methods to nurture competitive talents based on a fair and objective personnel system and to create an atmosphere where employees' capabilities can be maximized.
Mayor Chae Hyun-il of Yeongdeungpo-gu said, "Being selected as an excellent institution for human resource development consecutively since 2018 is expected to enhance Yeongdeungpo-gu's brand value and boost employees' pride," adding, "We will continue to lead in nurturing talents needed in each field through objective diagnosis of organization, work, and personnel operation and competency- and performance-centered personnel management."
Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol) will hold the Huigyeong Atelier Flea Market 'Moajang' on October 2.
'Moajang,' short for 'Everyone's Atelier Market,' is a flea market where anyone engaged in creative activities or residents of Dongdaemun-gu can participate and sell handmade goods, unused items, and secondhand goods.
This market will be operated as an unmanned market due to COVID-19, where consigned items are displayed without sellers, and staff members handle sales on behalf of sellers.
The event will be held from 11 AM to 5 PM on October 2 at an open space near Huigyeong Atelier, 55 Mangwoo-ro (basement), Dongdaemun-gu.
Applications for participation in item sales can be made by September 30 via Google or phone. Consignable items include goods personally created by the seller, secondhand goods, and children's items (clean and usable items).
Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol of Dongdaemun-gu said, "I hope many residents will participate in the flea market 'Moajang' held on a clear autumn day and economically exchange necessary items with neighbors."
Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Seon-gap) conducted its first live commerce broadcast on Naver Shopping Live at 5 PM on the 14th, targeting popular products from 'Gwangjin Good Shop,' which supports online sales channels for small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners in Gwangjin-gu.
The district plans to link 'Gwangjin Good Shop' with the recently trending 'live commerce' and broadcast 10 sessions featuring products from about 20 companies from September to the end of November.
Gwangjin Good Shop live commerce is conducted as a real-time live broadcast that communicates with customers and induces non-face-to-face purchases. The district supports all necessary equipment, show hosts, and scenarios for the broadcast.
The broadcast targets the top 20 companies selected through sales performance and product evaluation among Gwangjin Good Shop tenants. Representatives from each company appear to explain product features, planning various concepts and sales products for each session to promote purchases.
The first broadcast featured medical devices as filial piety gifts for Chuseok, with special discount events for the opening and Chuseok. Real-time chat participation and easy purchase through direct links on Gwangjin Good Shop and the district office website are available.
Previously, the district opened and has been operating Gwangjin Good Shop since August 2 to support online sales channels for small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners suffering from the prolonged COVID-19 recession.
Up to 50 excellent local SMEs and small business owners and about 200 products were selected, and a dedicated Gwangjin-gu section was opened on four major domestic open markets (Naver Smart Store, Gmarket, 11st, Coupang), providing integrated support from entry to sales.
The sales amount in the first month after opening in August was about 4.7 million KRW, more than twice the average sales of 2 million KRW for general Naver Smart Store openers over three months. Companies or small business owners wishing to join Gwangjin Good Shop can apply to the district's Regional Economy Division.
Mayor Kim Seon-gap said, "I hope live commerce broadcasting, a non-face-to-face sales method keeping pace with changes in the consumer market, will directly help increase sales of SMEs and small business owners struggling due to the prolonged COVID-19," adding, "We will continue to prepare various policies to strengthen small business competitiveness."
A job experience venue for youth will be held online.
Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Roh Hyun-song) announced that it will hold the 'Online Dream Job Festival' from the 24th to help children discover their career paths and talents.
With reduced opportunities for youth career exploration due to COVID-19, the event was prepared to provide various career experiences and job exploration opportunities for youth.
Especially this year, the event is prepared online to enable more vivid and rich career and job experiences without time and space constraints.
Under the theme 'Challenge a Million Dreams!,' the event can be accessed on an online platform consisting of ▲Online Experience Hall ▲Special Experience Hall ▲Dream Postcard Hall ▲Event Hall.
The 'Online Experience Hall' is a space where various job stories can be heard and various experiences can be tried. It consists of 'Art & Dreamki' in the creative, craft, and design fields; 'Smart IT' in future, science, and technology fields; 'Dream Air' introducing aviation-related jobs; 'Turn ON My Job' where professionals active in the field share insights; and 'On the Geu.Sa.Se' where promising jobs and department experiences are available.
The 'Special Experience Hall' offers career special lectures and online multiple intelligence tests. On October 16, a YouTube live career special lecture will be held to learn about future technologies and related jobs. The online multiple intelligence test allows participants to discover their strengths.
The 'Dream Postcard Hall' is a space where participants can send letters to themselves one year later. The letters will be delivered to personal emails after one year.
Additionally, the 'Event Hall' offers fun play experiences such as hidden career search, home life bingo, and million dream acrostic poems.
Local elementary and middle school students and parents can use the platform with individual student accounts assigned by schools, and those who complete five or more experiences can receive a certificate of completion.
A district official said, "This event will help children think concretely about their careers and develop their dreams' capabilities," adding, "I hope it will be a meaningful time to discover precious dreams while imagining and enjoying freely."
Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) will distribute 'SNS Pabal-i' emoticons free of charge to the first 25,000 people from 2 PM on the 29th. The emoticon usage period is 30 days.
The 'SNS Pabal-i' emoticons were created to strengthen communication administration with residents through SNS activation in the non-face-to-face era on the occasion of Residents' Day and to give hope and comfort to residents who are depressed and struggling due to COVID-19.
This distribution is the second one following the first distribution in March, reinforcing the message of hope.
The 'SNS Pabal-i' emoticon is a character created together with residents by reinterpreting Eunpyeong-gu's symbol 'Pabal-i' according to the latest trends. The main color blue symbolizes hope for residents, and the yellow color of the shoes represents abundance, expressing the wish that residents' every step will be prosperous.
The emoticons are distributed to new subscribers of 'Eunpyeong Notification Talk,' which can receive Eunpyeong Tomorrow News. They can be downloaded for free by adding the 'Eunpyeong Notification Talk' channel on the KakaoTalk app on smartphones.
Mayor Kim Mi-kyung of Eunpyeong-gu said, "Through this emoticon distribution, we want to deliver a message of hope to residents who are having a hard time due to COVID-19, and we will do our best to deliver good news through Eunpyeong Tomorrow News in the future."
Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jung-hoon) has renovated old and damaged facilities in Iljasan Park (Dunchon-dong Mountain 125 area) and newly refurbished the park.
Through this maintenance project, the district expanded the outdoor stage, known as a meeting place, in the grass plaza of Iljasan Park, installed a landscape water feature, renovated old and damaged walking paths and facilities, and installed safety fences at the camping site.
In particular, the landscape water feature includes nozzles with various effects, cooling fog, lighting to enhance nighttime scenery, and an observation deck on top where residents can enjoy the water feature up close, enriching the viewing experience.
Around the water feature, native plants such as sumac and a new variety of crape myrtle called Pink Velvet, as well as Silver Dollar and Red Baron hydrangeas, were planted to enjoy colorful flowers by season.
Mayor Lee Jung-hoon of Gangdong-gu said, "We created spaces where residents can rest and heal in the city by renovating old facilities and infrastructure," adding, "I hope people visit Iljasan Park and heal their tired minds from COVID-19."
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jongno-gu (Mayor Kim Young-jong) achieved the great success of having Tongin Market finally selected as the target site for the 2022 Specialized Market Development First Step Foundation Project hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and secured 300 million KRW in project funds.
This marks the start of its leap toward becoming a cultural tourism market.
This project selects markets with high development potential and focuses on performing five core tasks?'convenient payment,' 'customer trust,' 'hygiene cleanliness,' 'merchant capacity building,' and 'safety management'?intensively over the next year.
For Tongin Market, under the goal of 'Rejuvenation of Tongin Market imbued with culture and art,' plans include ▲a customer satisfaction center with 100% exchange and refund capability ▲joint purchasing for supplying excellent products at low prices ▲a lunchbox cafe improvement planning group ▲a three-day market in Seochon Village.
Particularly, the focus is on actively responding to rapidly changing distribution environments and consumer purchasing patterns and creating a trusted space by establishing a market environment tailored to customer expectations.
Although it is difficult to find the lively atmosphere as before due to COVID-19, merchants themselves will return to their original intentions and work together to provide high-quality services from the customer's perspective.
In addition to existing infrastructure such as customer centers, public restrooms, broadcasting facilities, and CCTV, and delivery service operations, the project plans to introduce tour programs utilizing historical and cultural resources located in the area.
Jongno-gu previously received 920 million KRW in support until December next year after Sejong Village Food Culture Street was selected in the '2021 Traditional Market Revitalization Contest' hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and is currently promoting various projects to lead market development.
Examples include 'design-specialized alley creation,' 'online and live sales channel development,' and 'VR-based promotion,' which maximize the district's unique advantages by linking local culture and tourism resources.
Sejong Village Food Culture Street was also selected as an alley market development project site in 2015, and from April 2015 to July 2016, lighting environment improvements, design and ICT specialized support projects, and shopping district specialized education were conducted.
Mayor Kim Young-jong of Jongno-gu said, "Being selected as a first-step specialized market project site not only recognized the development potential of Tongin Market but also enabled it to become a national representative market loved by numerous tourists and residents visiting the Jongno area," adding, "We will steadily promote substantial projects that blend the rich history of nearby areas such as Gyeongbokgung, Seochon, and Insadong with Jongno's identity to create a space leading Korea's cultural tourism."
Dongjak-gu (Mayor Lee Chang-woo) announced that the renovation work on the old walking paths in Sangdo Neighborhood Park was completed on the 31st of last month.
Sangdo Neighborhood Park spans Sangdo 1, 3, and 4-dong, offering good accessibility and facilities such as a children's forest experience center, forest library, and hiking trails, making it a popular resting place for nearby residents.
However, some sections of the park's hiking trails had steep slopes or deteriorated facilities such as wooden stairs, causing inconvenience to hikers. There were continuous safety complaints due to the absence of handrails or rotted retaining walls (wooden walls) causing soil to overflow.
Accordingly, the district secured 200 million KRW in project funds and improved facilities around the walking paths by installing and renovating ▲deck stairs ▲safety handrails ▲wooden stairs ▲coconut mats ▲retaining walls.
To create a healthy forest environment, trees such as spiraea and arrowwood were planted along the hiking trails, and a traditional fence called 'Chwibyeong' (a bamboo support fence twisted into a folding screen shape, widely used in Korean palaces and some upper-class gardens) was installed to block side paths.
For other inquiries about walking path use, contact the Parks and Greenery Division for guidance.
Kim Won-sik, head of the Parks and Greenery Division, said, "We will continue to collect residents' opinions, improve inconveniences, and do our best to create a resting place where residents can use safely and comfortably."
Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) announced on the 24th that the preparatory committees for two public redevelopment candidate sites in the district (Yeonhui-dong 721-6 area and Chungjeongno 3-ga 281-11 area) recently signed support agreements with SH Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation.
The preparatory committees are temporary resident representative organizations selected with more than 25% resident consent to promote previously halted private redevelopment projects through public redevelopment.
The Yeonhui-dong 721-6 area public redevelopment candidate site was designated as a housing reconstruction maintenance planned area in 2011 but was deregulated in 2015 due to the sunset clause on maintenance projects.
The Chungjeongno 3-ga 281-11 area was designated as a housing redevelopment maintenance area in 2009 but was deregulated in 2017 under the Urban and Residential Environment Maintenance Act.
Residents of these two areas applied in last year's 'Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Seoul City Joint Public Redevelopment Candidate Site Contest' and were selected as public redevelopment candidate sites in March this year.
Through this agreement, the preparatory committees can receive initial funds and operating expenses from SH Corporation, enabling rapid project promotion.
After SH Corporation applies for district designation to Seodaemun-gu, the district plans to proceed with designation by the end of next year through resident inspection, resident briefings, and urban planning committee review.
Mayor Moon Seok-jin of Seodaemun-gu said, "I hope that redevelopment projects, which have been stagnant, can be actively promoted with minimal resident conflicts through public redevelopment projects, and we will spare no administrative support for this."
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