[Seoul District News] Jungnang-gu Muk 2-dong and Junghwa 2-dong Receive High Ratings in Urban Regeneration New Deal Project... Gwanak-gu Wins Public Sector Grand Prize at 2021 Korea Urban Regeneration Industry Expo... 2021 Yongsan-gu Youth Festival Held... Geumcheon Science Festival from Nov 1 to 6 at 6 Geumcheon Landmarks Including Geumcheon-gu Office and Geumcheon Science Cube... Gwangjin-gu Secures 30% Open Childcare Centers to Eradicate Child Abuse... Yeongdeungpo-gu Offers 'Parent Education Growing with Children'... Dobong-gu First Seoul District to Provide Additional Low-Interest Loans for Small Business Owners
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi) won the Grand Prize in the public sector at the ‘2021 Korea Urban Regeneration Industry Expo’ held on the 27th in the Masan Marine New City area of Changwon City.
This recognition was for contributing to the promotion of the urban regeneration industry by revitalizing urban regeneration models for regional economic recovery and creating local jobs.
The district received excellent evaluations across all areas, especially for the Muk 2-dong and Junghwa 2-dong urban regeneration New Deal projects. This was due to establishing a virtuous cycle village economy system utilizing local cultural resources and preparing various support projects to revitalize the alley economy.
First, Muk 2-dong (Jangmi Village) is creating a village brand using ‘Jangmi’ (rose), a cultural resource representing the area, and conducting projects linked with various contents. It plans to foster an ‘economic community’ that generates joint village profits, develop specialized products such as Jangmi Makgeolli, and establish a youth culture development center to support stable social entry for prospective youth and promote job creation.
Junghwa 2-dong (Bodam Village) is also conducting projects to revitalize the local commercial district by utilizing existing markets and alley commercial areas. It aims to renew the alley commercial district through pavement maintenance of Jungnang Station Road and create jobs by developing ready-to-cook meals linked with Taereung Market, discovering new business items through collaboration between the market and local residents.
In addition, Jungnang-gu has secured a total project budget of 92.8 billion KRW to enhance urban regeneration competitiveness and improve residents’ quality of life, actively promoting urban regeneration projects in 11 locations including Myeonmok Fashion (Sewing) Promotion District, Myeonmok Bon-dong, and Mangwoo Bon-dong.
Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi of Jungnang-gu said, “This grand prize at the Urban Regeneration Industry Expo is thanks to the efforts of local residents and field experts,” adding, “We will continue to spare no effort to promote successful urban regeneration projects that residents can feel.”
Jungnang-gu published an urban regeneration newsletter sharing various information from the concept of urban regeneration to project status with residents and conducted urban regeneration-related education programs with experts such as village activists and professors, receiving great responses from local residents.
Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) was awarded the ‘Grand Prize in the Public Sector’ at the ‘2021 Korea Urban Regeneration Industry Expo’ held on the 27th at Masan Marine New City in Changwon, Gyeongnam, recognizing its contribution to urban regeneration activation projects.
The ‘Korea Urban Regeneration Expo’ was organized to share excellent urban regeneration cases, enhance participants’ professional capabilities, and envision a progressive future through private company participation.
This expo, hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Seoul Metropolitan Government, and Munhwa Ilbo, and supported by the Korea Urban Regeneration Industry Expo, is held over four days from the 27th to the 31st with 600 booths from 152 cities, counties, districts, and companies.
The ‘2021 Urban Regeneration Industry Expo Grand Prize’ is awarded by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to local governments, companies, and private organizations with outstanding urban regeneration project performance.
Gwanak-gu received high evaluations for breaking away from uniform housing development policies such as redevelopment and reconstruction, focusing on various urban regeneration projects based on diverse voices of residents, and contributing to the expansion of urban regeneration. Notably, following the Administrative Safety Minister’s Award at the 2019 Urban Regeneration Industry Expo, the district achieved the grand prize as a result of its successful urban regeneration efforts.
An official from the district said, “This award is the result of efforts made possible by the participation and cooperation of local residents and the district’s strong will to actively promote urban regeneration projects,” emphasizing public-private cooperation.
Based on in-depth interview surveys, the district reflects local issues needed by residents in the design, seeking solutions for guaranteeing residents’ right to live and revitalizing the local economy through urban regeneration, aiming for ‘a happy community for all, a village growing through communication in alleys.’
Through various urban regeneration projects such as old house improvement projects, smart public parking lot construction, creation of recycling vitality centers, alley environment improvement projects, Nanggok cultural activation, and urban regeneration economic activation support, the district is creating a successful model of Seoul-type urban regeneration projects.
Furthermore, based on a solid resident community, a resident council is formed, actively engaging residents voluntarily from the project promotion stage, publicizing development directions utilizing local assets, and conducting active resident council activities.
Yongsan-gu (Mayor Seong Jang-hyun) will hold the ‘2021 Yongsan Youth Festival’ online from the 28th to 29th. This is the first youth-targeted festival hosted by Yongsan-gu.
The youth festival will feature various programs including ▲Opening Ceremony ▲One-day Classes ▲Youth Golden Bell & Ideal Type World Cup ▲Youth Policy Forum.
On the 28th, the first day of the festival, the opening ceremony and one-day classes will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. via YouTube and the online video conferencing program ZOOM.
The opening ceremony will be broadcast on YouTube with pre-recorded pre-event performances, greetings from the mayor, introduction of Youth Jium, and introduction of the Yongsan-gu Youth Policy Network.
One-day classes include making acrylic mood lamps, home training, coffee classes, and pencil portrait drawing lectures via ZOOM. Each class has a capacity of 20 people. Applications are accepted through links posted on the Yongsan-gu website and Youth Jium Instagram. Applicants receive individual ZOOM access guidance messages to attend classes.
On the 29th, from 7 p.m., pre-recorded videos sketching Yongsan hot places will be streamed on YouTube. Then, online games (Yongsan-themed Youth Golden Bell, Ideal Type Olympics) and the Youth Policy Forum will be conducted live via ZOOM.
The Youth Policy Forum will include two members of the Yongsan-gu Youth Policy Network and youth policy stakeholders to discuss youth issues.
The district formed a youth festival planning team in August consisting of five Youth Policy Network members, one manager, and one staff member, and planned the festival through three meetings.
Mayor Seong Jang-hyun of Yongsan-gu said, “We will continue to strive to prepare practical policies that help youth stand tall and achieve their dreams in Yongsan,” adding, “I hope everyone enjoys the Yongsan Youth Festival and temporarily forgets the difficult times caused by COVID-19.”
Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Seong-hoon) will hold a science festival under the slogan ‘Filling Geumcheon’s Tomorrow with Science! G-Science Day’ from November 1 to 6.
This event was planned to provide residents with direct experiences of 4th Industrial Revolution technologies, expand the infrastructure of the science city Geumcheon, and nurture creative talents in advanced science and technology convergence fields.
Science experience events will be held at five Geumcheon landmarks including the Geumcheon-gu Office auditorium, Geumcheon Science Cube, and Geumcheon Career and Academic Guidance Center. Additionally, during the event period, a dedicated website will operate a metaverse hall, science screening room, and various experience and exhibition halls online for festival enjoyment.
At the opening ceremony on November 1 at the Geumcheon-gu Office auditorium, a large robot ‘Titan’ resembling those seen in movies will appear to mark the start of the festival.
Other science performance shows will be held, and a keynote lecture by Professor Kim Sang-gyun, author of ‘Metaverse,’ will be broadcast live in two locations at Geumcheon Science Cube.
From the opening through November 6, science-related events will be held at various locations including Geumcheon-gu Office, Geumcheon Science Cube, Geumcheon Career and Academic Guidance Center, Geumcheon Youth Startup Hub, Geumcheon Orang, Cheongchun Building, and Doksan Youth Culture House.
Main events include ‘coding, robots, metaverse AI experience events,’ ‘science film screenings and discussions,’ ‘future education festival,’ ‘our village education discussion,’ ‘hackathon competition,’ and ‘family science contest.’
Geumcheon-gu will thoroughly disinfect all facilities through professional companies and operate the experience events dispersed across seven locations to minimize crowding.
Furthermore, visitors who certify visits to two mandatory landmarks (Geumcheon-gu Office, Geumcheon Science Cube) and one optional landmark (choose one from Geumcheon Career and Academic Guidance Center, Geumcheon Youth Startup Hub, Geumcheon Orang, Cheongchun Building, Doksan Youth Culture House) will be entered into a draw to receive gifticons. Various prize events such as review certification shots and surprise quizzes are also prepared.
Mayor Yoo Seong-hoon of Geumcheon-gu said, “To become a science city Geumcheon, we will strengthen ties with G-Valley companies and encourage local youth to take interest in science and actively participate in the event, creating a Geumcheon that grows together with the community.”
Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Seon-gap) has secured 49 ‘Open Childcare Centers,’ accounting for 30% of the 161 childcare centers in the district.
‘Open Childcare Centers’ is a project promoted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare as part of measures to eradicate child abuse, aiming to create a safe childcare environment that parents can trust by opening childcare environments and activating parental participation.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare aims to secure at least 25% of all childcare centers as ‘Open Childcare Centers’ this year, and Gwangjin-gu has secured 30% through active participation inducement and promotion.
The selection criteria include ▲Openness ▲Participation ▲Sustainability ▲Diversity, and centers scoring 80 or above out of 100 points and meeting minimum scores per category through on-site inspections and reviews are selected as Open Childcare Centers.
The district received applications for Open Childcare Centers in August and conducted on-site inspections of applicants in September and October, finally selecting 49 centers.
Selected centers receive priority support for assistant teachers and teaching materials and equipment expenses, and incentives such as additional points during Seoul-type childcare center new certification and public childcare center re-commissioning evaluations.
Mayor Kim Seon-gap of Gwangjin-gu said, “As child abuse issues in childcare centers continue to occur, parents’ concerns about sending children to childcare centers are increasing,” adding, “We will continue to increase Open Childcare Centers to provide better childcare services through active interaction between childcare centers and parents that parents can trust.”
“These days, children don’t want to talk with their parents. They just use their smartphones all day.” “My kids say mom and dad don’t understand their feelings and won’t come out of their rooms. I have no idea what they are thinking these days.”
These are common complaints among parents raising children recently. With the increase of working moms and dads, generational value differences, and in multicultural families, communication breakdowns due to socio-cultural growth background differences between parents and children, more parents are expressing concerns.
Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Chae Hyun-il) announced it will operate ‘Parent Education Growing Together with Children’ for local Korean and foreign parents struggling with communication with their children, teaching desirable parental roles, proper understanding of children, and family communication methods.
‘Parent Education Growing Together with Children’ is one of the representative parent education programs operated at Yeongdeungpo-gu Dadream Cultural Complex Center, which received high satisfaction and re-participation willingness from most participating parents during last year’s sessions.
This year’s newly reorganized parent education will be held twice a week for nine sessions from November 2 to 30, conducted in small face-to-face classes.
Detailed education contents include ▲Self-understanding and positive self-management ▲Emotional coaching and stress coping ▲Parental roles according to child developmental psychology ▲Understanding adolescent children ▲Smartphone addiction prevention education, aiming to teach the role of ‘good enough parent’ through self-awareness, emotional regulation training, and child-rearing methods.
Local Korean and foreign parents wishing to attend can apply by phone or visit the Yeongdeungpo-gu Dadream Cultural Complex Center.
All education is conducted at the ‘Dadream Cultural Complex Center,’ created to support cultural activities and communication for foreign residents, multicultural families, and local youth.
Mayor Chae Hyun-il of Yeongdeungpo-gu said, “Through this education, I hope it will serve as a bridge to foster deep understanding and empathy between parents and children and open communication channels,” adding, “We will continue efforts to improve the parenting environment so parents and children grow closer and our children become proper members of society.”
Dongjak-gu (Mayor Lee Chang-woo) announced it will issue Dongjak Love Gift Certificates worth a total of 5 billion KRW from 2 p.m. on November 1 to revitalize the local economy stagnated by COVID-19 and promote consumption activities.
Previously, the district issued Dongjak Love Gift Certificates worth 30 billion KRW in three rounds this year, all of which sold out quickly, receiving great responses.
The gift certificates are issued as mobile gift certificates in three denominations: 10,000 KRW, 50,000 KRW, and 100,000 KRW, purchasable at a 10% discount, with a monthly purchase limit of 700,000 KRW per person. The individual holding limit is 2 million KRW.
Dongjak Love Gift Certificates can be used at about 12,000 Zero Pay affiliated stores in the district, excluding large marts and department stores, including traditional markets, supermarkets, beauty salons, and academies.
Those wishing to purchase should install a Zero Pay mobile app (Beeple Zero Pay, Check Pay, etc.), complete user registration, and purchase online.
Unused gift certificates can be fully refunded if canceled within seven days of purchase, and if more than 60% of the face value is used, the remaining balance excluding the 10% discount amount can be refunded.
For detailed information about issuing Dongjak Love Gift Certificates, contact the Dongjak-gu Office Economic Promotion Division.
Kim Jeong-won, head of the Economic Promotion Division, said, “The Dongjak Love Gift Certificates issued this year mostly circulated, playing a vital role in the local economy,” adding, “We will do our best to manage affiliated stores so residents have no inconvenience using the gift certificates.”
Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) announced it will issue 10 billion KRW worth of ‘Songpa Love Gift Certificates’ from 10 a.m. on November 1 to revitalize the local economy as it prepares for ‘With Corona.’
Based on Zero Pay, the local currency ‘Songpa Love Gift Certificates’ exempt small business owners and self-employed from payment fees, and consumers can purchase gift certificates at a 10% discount and conveniently pay via mobile, resulting in high satisfaction.
The district issued a total of 28 billion KRW last year and 40 billion KRW in the first and second halves of this year to stabilize small business management and revitalize the local economy. As issuance rounds accumulate, the fixed demand base grows, and promotional effects lead to full early sales each time, showing strong responses.
This time, an additional 10 billion KRW will be issued during the Korea Sale Festival period (November 1?15).
From 10 a.m. on November 1, the gift certificates can be purchased at a 10% discount through 21 payment apps including Beeple Zero Pay, Check Pay, and Post Pay. The purchase limit per person is 700,000 KRW.
They can be used at about 23,000 Zero Pay affiliated stores in Songpa-gu, including restaurants, pharmacies, convenience stores, and academies.
Analysis of Songpa Love Gift Certificate usage shows concentration in essential living sectors such as groceries, electronics marts, infant and general tutoring centers, restaurants, and cafes. The 10% discounted gift certificates reduce household burdens, which in turn lead to sales in alley commercial districts, creating a virtuous cycle in the local economy, the district explained.
Mayor Park Seong-su of Songpa-gu said, “I hope this additional issuance of Songpa Love Gift Certificates will be a great help to small business owners and residents,” adding, “We will do our best to help the local economy regain vitality and ensure residents safely recover their daily lives.”
Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol) held the graduation ceremony for the 2nd class of the Influencer Growth Support Program at the Social Cooperative Dongsagyeong Center on the 27th.
The Influencer Growth Support Program was selected as a ‘City-District Upward and Cooperative Job Creation Project’ and conducted as a ‘Job Creation Project through Activation of Live Commerce-based Marketing Services.’
This program consisted of a total of 40 hours of education on topics such as marketing using live commerce, professional tax knowledge, photo and video shooting and editing skills, and live commerce broadcasting know-how.
Additionally, it included 15 hours of field training and mentoring, and practical experience in live market sales, supporting trainees to grow as influencers.
The first class had 11 graduates, the second class 17, totaling 22 graduates who newly registered business licenses.
A graduate participating in the program said, “I am very grateful for such a good program. My confidence had dropped a lot, but through this program, I gained confidence to challenge new work. I want to grow further and be a great help to the Dongdaemun-gu local economy.”
The district plans to continue supporting graduates’ activities and assist local small business owners by planning promotional support projects. Graduates promote and sell products of local small businesses struggling due to COVID-19 and social economy enterprises with difficult sales channels through live commerce. Support is also provided to establish cooperatives for first-class participants to build a foundation for independence.
This project was selected as an excellent project in the mid-term evaluation of the ‘City-District Upward and Cooperative Job Creation Project’ and was chosen as a continuing project for 2022, planned to continue next year.
Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol of Dongdaemun-gu said, “I encourage the trainees who actively participated in the influencer education course and will actively support them to become independent influencers.”
Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) announced it will issue an additional 10 billion KRW worth of Eunpyeong Love Gift Certificates at 10 a.m. on November 3. This issuance coincides with the Korea Sale Festa, a sale event involving department stores, large marts, various franchises, online shopping, and traditional markets.
This is expected to stimulate consumption within Eunpyeong and greatly revitalize the local economy. The purchase discount rate for Eunpyeong Love Gift Certificates is 10%.
This year, Eunpyeong-gu issued a total of 49 billion KRW worth of Eunpyeong Love Gift Certificates in four rounds, receiving favorable responses from both consumers and small business owners. The certificates can be used at about 14,854 affiliated stores operated by small business owners in Eunpyeong-gu, including convenience stores, pharmacies, academies, and cafes.
They can be purchased through over 20 apps such as Shinhan Bank SOL, Woori WON Banking, Post Office, Bizplay, and T-money Pay. The monthly purchase limit is 700,000 KRW, and the holding limit is 2 million KRW.
Unused gift certificates can be fully refunded within seven days of purchase, and after seven days, refunds are possible if more than 60% of the face value is used, excluding the discount support amount.
An official said, “We hope the issuance of Eunpyeong Love Gift Certificates along with the Korea Sale Festa will help local small businesses struggling due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.”
Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Noh Hyun-song) announced it will hold the ‘2021 Gangseo-gu Autonomy and Decentralization Empathy Concert’ on October 29 in celebration of ‘Local Autonomy Day.’
With the full revision of the Local Autonomy Act last year and its implementation scheduled for January next year, this event was organized to raise empathy and understanding of local autonomy and decentralization.
Especially, the event is designed to be held on a metaverse platform in line with the non-face-to-face era. Various events such as quiz games and sand art performances are prepared to increase interest alongside decentralization lectures.
The decentralization lecture will be given by Professor Lee Hyang-su, a member of the Presidential Committee on Autonomy and Decentralization, on topics such as ‘Changes due to decentralization and the roles of local governments and residents.’ The lecture will explore the current status of decentralization in Korea, ways to revitalize local autonomy, and future tasks for local governments and residents.
Also, the district will screen its self-produced decentralization promotional videos titled ‘The Story of Decentralization Told by Heo Jun.’ Two episodes, ‘Realization of Resident Sovereignty’ and ‘Strengthening Local Government Capabilities,’ use webtoon formats to explain decentralization in an easy and fun way. Quizzes related to the videos will also be held to increase interest.
Additionally, to make the event more enjoyable, sand art performances themed on decentralization, a sub-character dance contest, and decentralization quiz games (image games, O/X quizzes) will be held, hosted by a professional MC.
The event targets about 100 participants including Gangseo-gu residents and district office staff. Participants will attend as avatars on the metaverse platform. The event will also be streamed live on Gangseo-gu Office’s official YouTube channel iGangseoTV for any interested residents to watch online.
Mayor Noh Hyun-song of Gangseo-gu said, “This year marks the 30th anniversary since the revival of local autonomy starting with local council elections in 1991,” adding, “With the revised Local Autonomy Act establishing the institutional foundation for decentralization, we will do our best with residents to realize true decentralization.”
Dobong-gu (Mayor Lee Dong-jin) will be the first among Seoul’s 25 autonomous districts to provide continuous low-interest loans worth about 4.2 billion KRW to local small business owners suffering from prolonged COVID-19 economic difficulties.
This loan support was prepared as the Seoul City-District cooperative interest-free loan support conducted in April was quickly exhausted, and small business owners still face difficulties. Dobong-gu, Seoul Credit Guarantee Foundation Dobong Branch, Shinhan Bank, Woori Bank, and Hana Bank (hereinafter referred to as partner banks) joined hands again.
The Dobong-gu small business low-interest loan support targets small business owners and SMEs operating in Dobong-gu, offering up to 30 million KRW with up to 3% interest for one year. If conditions are met, loans can be provided by partner banks secured by a 100% credit guarantee certificate from the Seoul Credit Guarantee Foundation.
Applications can be made from November 1, 2021, after consultation at the Seoul Credit Guarantee Foundation Dobong Branch. Detailed inquiries can be made through the branch.
Additionally, the district plans to provide interest-free loans from the Dobong-gu SME Development Fund until the end of 2022. This extends the previous interest-free support from April to December 2020, then to December 2021, and now further extended. New loan applicants and existing borrowers with outstanding repayments will receive the same interest-free conditions.
Applications will be possible after the announcement of the 2022 Dobong-gu SME Development Fund support plan (scheduled for January 2022).
Mayor Lee Dong-jin of Dobong-gu said, “Although we are in a phased recovery, small business owners still face severe sales impacts and difficulties in financing. We will be a support pillar to help them overcome these tough times through continuous loan support.”
Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Kim Soo-young) operates a dedicated window for the Small Business Loss Compensation System to support small business owners suffering economic difficulties due to COVID-19 quarantine measures.
The Small Business Loss Compensation System compensates for serious business losses proportional to the damage scale caused by quarantine measures such as business suspension or operating hour restrictions under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.
The compensation target industries are those subject to operating hour restrictions from July 7 to September 30 this year, including ▲restaurants ▲cafes ▲entertainment facilities ▲academies ▲tutoring centers ▲karaoke rooms, estimated to be about 9,300 locations in Yangcheon-gu.
Online applications can be made from the 27th by accessing the ‘Small Business Loss Compensation System’ website, entering the business registration number, and completing identity verification (mobile phone, joint certificate) without additional documents.
The district has set up a dedicated window on the 4th floor of Haenuri Town Job Plus Center and plans to provide on-site application services from November 3 for small business owners who have difficulty applying online.
For the first four days of online and offline applications, a two-day system will be applied based on the last digit of the business registration number.
Mayor Kim Soo-young of Yangcheon-gu said, “We opened a dedicated window for small business owners unfamiliar with online applications,” adding, “We will ensure smooth compensation payments without any setbacks.”
Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol) will issue 10 billion KRW worth of Dongdaemun-gu Love Gift Certificates at 4 p.m. on November 1, coinciding with the 2021 Korea Sale Festa (November 1?15).
The Dongdaemun-gu Love Gift Certificates will be issued as mobile gift certificates in three denominations: 10,000 KRW, 50,000 KRW, and 100,000 KRW. Consumers can purchase them at a 10% discount. To allow more people to benefit, the purchase limit per person is set at 700,000 KRW per month (actual payment 630,000 KRW).
Purchasing and using the gift certificates can be done through Zero Pay mobile applications such as Beeple Zero Pay, Kukon, Check Pay, and Money Tree. After downloading the app on a smartphone, users must complete identity verification and link a payment account to purchase.
Unused gift certificates can be refunded in full within seven days of purchase, excluding the preservation fee. If more than 60% of the face value is used, the remaining balance excluding the discount amount can be refunded.
The gift certificates can be used at about 15,000 Zero Pay affiliated stores in Dongdaemun-gu, including supermarkets, small marts, beauty salons, kindergartens, and academies. However, large marts, department stores, general academies with annual sales over 1 billion KRW, foreign language and arts entrance academies, large company-affiliated cinemas, and large and medium-sized franchise direct stores are excluded.
Dongdaemun-gu issued 15 billion KRW in the first half of the year, 5 billion KRW during the summer vacation in July, and 6.6 billion KRW before the Chuseok holiday in September to revitalize the local economy stagnated by COVID-19. The 6.6 billion KRW issued in September sold out in 50 minutes, showing great response.
Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol of Dongdaemun-gu said, “The much-loved Dongdaemun-gu Love Gift Certificates will be issued at 10 billion KRW on the first day of the Korea Sale Festa,” adding, “We hope this helps revitalize the local economy affected by prolonged COVID-19 and will strengthen management and expand new affiliated stores to ensure no inconvenience in using the gift certificates.”
Seocho-gu (Mayor Cho Eun-hee) has been supporting ‘AI Career Consulting’ since October 25 to provide the latest customized college entrance information to vulnerable youth who lack access to such information.
To this end, on October 20, Seocho-gu signed a business agreement with MajorMap (CEO Lee Joong-hoon), an AI-based professional career consulting company, supporting 1:1 customized entrance consulting and training for career consulting experts.
AI Career Consulting collects data on departments and career paths from universities nationwide and provides an objective customized career roadmap by linking the program with individual aptitude and regional competency test results. It is first provided to 40 vulnerable high school students using ‘Seoripul Saem’ to help them access career and entrance information.
Next, comprehensive entrance consulting will be provided to high school seniors approaching entrance exams. It helps set university entrance roadmaps, establish regular admission strategies by university and department, and provides 1:1 customized interview consulting by experts for interviews after regular admission applications.
Additionally, Seocho-gu conducted career consulting training on October 20 for 15 ‘Seoripul Saem’ mentors composed of local excellent talents such as career-interrupted women and retired teachers. The purpose is to nurture in-house consulting experts to provide continuous and regular career consulting to vulnerable children, alleviating career and entrance burdens.
Lee Seung-eun (49), who participated in the training, said, “Receiving AI career consulting expert training makes me feel I can provide practical help to youth struggling with career and entrance issues, and I am motivated to study harder to utilize this in the future.”
Trained mentors will start from late October to assist first and second-year high school students in setting their core departments and entrance roadmaps through department and job preference and learning style tests, and guide practical entrance strategies such as self-branding and upgrading school records through research reports.
Seocho-gu is also expanding the ‘AI Smart Schooling’ 1:1 customized learning program to a maximum of 800 nationwide to address learning gaps among vulnerable children due to COVID-19, supporting online academy vouchers for high school ‘Seoripul Saem’ mentees, the ‘Seocho Very Happy Dream Finding’ career exploration program, and ‘Special Learning Support’ for students with basic academic deficiencies, building a ‘Seocho-type Education Safety Net’ to resolve educational polarization.
Mayor Cho Eun-hee of Seocho-gu said, “I hope the customized ‘AI Career Consulting’ helps vulnerable youth with limited access to college entrance information in their career choices,” adding, “We will build a seamless ‘Seocho-type Education Safety Net’ to provide fair starting opportunities without leaving any student behind.”
Mapo-gu (Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) announced it will hold the ‘Mapo Naru Craft Exhibition’ on November 1?2 at the 6th floor of Mapo Central Library to revitalize local craft culture.
This exhibition, held to create a win-win opportunity with the local community through excellent craft product exhibitions and sales, requires prior participation application to prevent COVID-19 spread.
Visitors can apply for participation by accessing the QR code on the ‘Mapo Naru Craft Exhibition’ poster and enter after application. It is also possible to apply and visit by scanning the QR code placed in front of the exhibition hall on-site.
The exhibition will display about 600 craft items including ▲wood and lacquer crafts ▲ceramic crafts ▲metal crafts ▲textile crafts ▲paper crafts ▲other crafts, with on-site sales.
The district recruited participating artists from residents registered in Mapo-gu, business operators, and students attending schools in Mapo-gu from the 21st to 26th. After the first document screening and second submission screening by a panel of craft experts, 30 workshops (artists) were selected to exhibit.
The exhibition hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with entry after temperature checks and entry log registration, and regular disinfection and ventilation following quarantine rules.
Also, the exhibition will be conducted with social distancing viewing in compliance with expected daily recovery stage operation guidelines starting November.
Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun of Mapo-gu said, “Please show great interest in this craft exhibition filled with the sincerity and spirit of craft experts,” adding, “We will strive to provide more support including exhibition opportunities for cultural artists in the daily recovery stage.”
Gangnam-gu (Mayor Jung Soon-gyun) will hold the ‘2021 Archive Gangnam Old Photo Contest’ from the 28th to November 26.
The contest was planned to supplement the content of ‘Archive Gangnam,’ which provides photos and video materials containing Gangnam’s history.
Those who have photos of Gangnam before 2000 can submit up to five entries per person. Computer graphics or composite photos are not allowed. Winning works from other contests may receive some point deductions. Application forms can be downloaded from the Gangnam-gu website and submitted with photos via the website or mail.
Winners will be announced in December after comprehensive judging on historical value, artistic quality, and promotional value. A total of 45 works will be selected, including one grand prize, two excellence awards, and five merit awards. The grand prize is 1 million KRW, with total prize money of 10 million KRW. For details, contact the Policy Promotion Office.
Since July last year, the 7th Gangnam-gu administration has been collecting past photos and videos to build ‘Archive Gangnam’ on the district office website. This work organizes materials previously scattered across various places to document Gangnam-gu’s history. As of October, it holds about 30,000 photos and 581 videos with cooperation from KTV, Seoul History Archive, Seoul Photo Archive, and Seoul Landscape Recording Project.
Guro-gu (Mayor Lee Seong) has prepared special quarantine measures to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in local traditional markets.
On the 28th, Guro-gu announced, “Due to continuous COVID-19 cluster infections in major traditional markets in Seoul, we will strengthen quarantine measures such as preemptive testing and safe call systems to prevent community spread.”
First, Guro-gu will set up a ‘visiting screening clinic’ targeting the largest traditional markets in the district, Guro and Namguro markets, as market workers find it difficult to leave their stores for long periods to get tested.
The visiting screening clinic will operate on the 30th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Guro-gu Facilities Management Corporation parking lot. Testing is available regardless of symptoms, and those wishing to be tested should bring an ID.
Guro-gu will also introduce a ‘Safe Call Entry Log System’ for rapid and accurate epidemiological investigations in case of confirmed cases at Guro, Namguro, and Garibong markets. Visitors call a unique market number (080-XXX-XXXX) upon entry, automatically saving entry time and phone number, which is deleted after four weeks.
This system is expected to facilitate securing lists of visitors, street vendors, and delivery workers who were previously difficult to identify.
Additionally, Guro-gu is conducting priority COVID-19 vaccinations for market workers in cooperation with Seoul City. Applications can be made through each market’s merchant association.
Guro-gu operates COVID-19 screening clinics at five locations: Guro-gu Public Health Center, Guro Station (Exit 3), Oryu-dong Station (Exit 3), Guro-ri Park, and in front of Garibong-dong Community Center. Detailed operating hours can be found on the district website.
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