First Step to With Corona with 'Seonyudorak'... Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seonyudo Station Alley Market Stamp Tour Event

[Seoul District News] Yeongdeungpo-gu Conducts ‘Seonyudorak Stamp Tour’ at Seonyudo Station Alley Shops from 1st to 8th... Gwangjin-gu Distributes About 3.4 Million KF-94 Masks, 10 per Person... Seongdong-gu Adds 2 New Schools (Muhak Elementary, Hanyang Elementary) and Completes Installation of Yellow Carpet Crosswalks at All 29 Elementary Schools Last Month... Nowon-gu Reopens Circulation Walkway with Resident Feedback on 29th... Gangdong-gu Opens ‘Village Media Support Center’... Seocho-gu, Stray Cats

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Chae Hyun-il) will conduct the ‘Seonyudorak Stamp Tour’ from the 1st to the 8th at the alley-type shopping district around Seonyudo Station.

‘Seonyudorak (道樂)’ means ‘enjoying elegance in Seonyudo,’ derived from the origin of Seonyudo, where immortals were said to have wandered, and serves as a new joint marketing brand for the Seonyudo Station alley commercial area.

This stamp tour is the first event introduced under the name ‘Seonyudorak’ and is a project planned to overcome the limitations of individual stores and revitalize the alley commercial district together by forming an economic community of local small business owners based on the social economy.

It is prepared to actively promote ‘Seonyudorak’ and induce revisits by attracting people with the fun and benefits of collecting stamps while roaming around various places.

The participation method for the stamp tour is simple. Just use and enjoy affiliated stores in the Seonyudo Station alley-type shopping district around Seonyuro 47-gil, 49-gil, and Yangpyeong-ro 19-gil, and collect stamps.

When you bring the completed stamp sheet to the designated souvenir distribution place (Seonyuro 47-gil 34), you can receive prizes such as KF94 masks and coupons usable like cash at affiliated stores, depending on the number of stamps.

The district expects that this project will also provide joy in recovering daily life ahead of the with-COVID era to residents exhausted from the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, in July, the district designated the Seonyudo Station alley commercial area as Yeongdeungpo-gu’s first alley-type shopping district and has started full-scale efforts to develop it into a representative local commercial area.

Along with this, the district is accelerating efforts to revitalize the alley commercial district through close communication and cooperation with merchants by supporting merchant organization centered on field experts and conducting professional consulting.

Furthermore, the Seonyudo Station commercial area is aiming to transform into a lively street satisfying both consumers and small business owners through ‘Seonyudorak,’ which gives local characteristics and identity. It will be transformed into a street where art and culture live, full of fun sights and tastes in every corner.

Yeongdeungpo-gu Mayor Chae Hyun-il said, “I hope this stamp tour will be a meaningful first step for both residents and local merchants to recover daily life, and I ask everyone to participate safely and enjoyably in the event.” He added, “We will seek more creative and diverse revitalization plans so that alley commercial districts with their own unique characteristics throughout Yeongdeungpo can be recognized as ‘hot places’ visited by many people.”

Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Seon-gap) will distribute masks to all residents to prevent the spread of COVID-19 local infections and protect the safety and lives of residents.

With the start of phased daily recovery (with COVID), the district judged that self-quarantine is important and will deliver masks along with a cooperation letter requesting all 340,000 residents to comply with personal quarantine rules.

The masks to be distributed this time are KF-94 masks, with about 3.4 million masks distributed at 10 masks per person.

Mask distribution will be conducted from October 29 to November 19 by visiting and delivering to each household. If residents are absent after 2-3 visits, a notice will be posted so they can pick up masks at the local community center. Detailed distribution visit schedules can be confirmed through the respective community centers.

Gwangjin-gu Mayor Kim Seon-gap said, “We deliver masks with comfort and encouragement to residents exhausted by long-term quarantine fatigue and infection anxiety. Gwangjin-gu will respond with a two-track strategy to enhance vaccination rates while supplementing the quarantine system according to changing situations without lowering vigilance as a strong support for residents.”

Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) announced that it completed the installation of yellow carpets at all 21 elementary schools in the district last month.

With the addition of two new schools this year (Muhak Elementary, Hanyang Elementary) and the completion of a total of 29 yellow carpet crosswalks at all elementary schools last month, children can now commute safely.

The ‘yellow carpet’ refers to a yellow floor area installed at waiting zones before crosswalks to make drivers easily recognize child pedestrians and to have children wait safely before crossing.

By flexibly intervening and inducing choice, the natural nudge effect encourages children to stay in the yellow-marked safe area before crossing, preventing traffic accidents.

Since 2016, the district has installed yellow carpets around crosswalks near elementary schools with high accident risks, receiving great responses from parents and children. The existing painted material, which peels over time, has been replaced with sign blocks, evolving to maintain color for a long time and maximize visibility with clearer colors, enhancing safety effects.

These projects are expected to improve child traffic accident prevention and pedestrian safety, according to district officials. According to the Road Traffic Authority’s Traffic Accident Analysis System (TAAS), from 2017 to 2019, there were a total of 30,123 pedestrian traffic accidents in Seoul. Among them, Seongdong-gu recorded 738 accidents, the lowest among Seoul’s 25 districts.

The district is actively promoting traffic safety policies such as the ‘Seongdong-type Smart Crosswalk,’ introduced nationwide for the first time, and the ‘Seongdong-type Yellow School Zone,’ piloted last November by painting all facilities in child protection zones with safety colors and installing speed cameras and warning systems.

Going forward, the district plans to expand the installation of sign blocks on yellow carpets and implement various projects to enhance pedestrian and driver safety.

Seongdong-gu Mayor Jung Won-oh said, “Children’s safety is the most important value that everyone must protect together. We will do our best to create a walking environment where children can commute safely and comfortably.”

Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it will renovate and reopen Bulamsan Deureoboseup (Together Forest) to allow residents to fully enjoy nature in the city.

Bulamsan Deureoboseup (Hagye 1-dong) is an adventure park with a total area of 24,351㎡, equipped with cooperative facilities, adventure facilities, rest facilities, a small stream, a lawn yard, and an education center.

The district conducted about a year of facility improvement projects after gathering residents’ opinions to reshape the Deureoboseup, originally planned as a camping site, into a place where anyone can conveniently enjoy nature.

The 1km circular walking trail is the highlight. The existing 400m trail in Chungsuk Park was refurbished, and an additional 600m section was newly created. Among the new sections, 240m is a barrier-free deck path with a slope of less than 8%, allowing wheelchair users and strollers to move conveniently.

Two new resting spots for leisurely breaks during walks were also prepared. Around the trail, about 12,000 trees such as goldenrain trees, spiraea, and azaleas were planted, and a flower garden decorated with herbaceous plants like mugwort, purslane, and moss phlox was created to enjoy the four seasons of nature.

Finally, three new playground equipment pieces for children were installed. These include a rotating seesaw, a rotating bicycle, and a trampoline, allowing infants and toddlers to enjoy together.

The newly created walking trail and three playground facilities are free to use, and the previously restricted Deureoboseup will be open to residents except during existing experience facility operating hours.

Opened in July 2017, Bulamsan Deureoboseup is a cooperative adventure experience space for children, youth, and adults, consisting of cooperative facilities that enhance teamwork and leadership, adventure courses that boost confidence and challenge spirit, and a dark maze navigating through dark spaces.

Anyone above elementary school age can use it, with fees ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 won depending on the course. Reservations and usage methods can be found on the Nowon-gu Service Corporation website.

Nowon-gu Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “I hope Bulamsan Deureoboseup, reborn as a resting space for residents, becomes a meaningful place where people of all ages can comfortably enjoy nature. We will continue efforts to make Nowon’s natural environment easily accessible to residents.”

Seocho-gu (Mayor Cho Eun-hee) will hold a music concert ‘Gift II’ for residents who have completed vaccination at 7 p.m. on the 8th at Banpo Simsang Art Hall in Simsang Cultural Center.

The music concert ‘Gift II’ is an encore performance of the ‘Gift’ concert held on the 22nd of last month. Through a trot concert, it plans to express gratitude to residents who participated in vaccination and offer a healing time with hope for daily recovery. The concert will be held face-to-face on-site, opening 250 seats with one seat spacing except for companions.

This concert will also be a time to feel the essence of trot on an autumn night. Hit songs like ‘Love’s Road’ and ‘Because of Regret’ will be performed by singer Choi Jin-hee, representing the 80s and 90s, along with Young-gi, who gained popularity as a trot singer after appearing on ‘Mr. Trot’ and as a comedian; trot goddess Jung Da-kyung, who ranked 4th in ‘Miss Trot’ and shows versatile charm; tambourine goddess Park Sung-yeon, a former Miss Korea; and rising star Kang Ye-seul, offering diverse performances. A surprise special guest will also appear to present a special stage full of hope and joy.

The audience is limited to Seocho-gu residents aged 60 or older who have completed the second dose of COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days before the concert day. Residents from other regions can also make reservations within 10% of the total audience.

Ticket reservations are available from 9 a.m. on November 2 to 6 p.m. on November 3 through the Seocho-gu website integrated reservation system. When reserving two tickets per person, at least one must be a resident aged 60 or older.

On the day of the concert, entry is allowed only after verifying vaccination completion, so electronic vaccination certificates (COOV app) or vaccination certificates must be presented. For details, contact the Seocho-gu Cultural Tourism Division.

Previously, the ‘Gift’ concert held last month for residents aged 60 and over featured trot singers Han Hye-jin, Na Tae-joo, and Kang Hye-yeon, providing a joyful and exciting stage for residents who visited the concert hall after a long time, concluding successfully.

Seocho-gu Mayor Cho Eun-hee said, “We prepared this music concert ‘Gift II’ with gratitude to residents who led vaccination and social distancing for neighbors and the community. I hope this concert will blow away COVID blues and be an opportunity to regain hope and courage for daily recovery.”

Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) compiled the ‘2021 Seongbuk-gu Social Survey and Social Indicators’ and announced the results on the district office website on the 26th of last month.

The ‘Seongbuk-gu Social Survey’ is a Statistics Korea-approved survey concerning the quality of life and subjective awareness of Seongbuk residents. It started in May 2011 and has been conducted biennially, completing the seventh survey this year. The residents’ thoughts and needs identified through various items will be used as basic data for policies to make a better Seongbuk-gu.

From June 28 to July 25, Seongbuk-gu conducted face-to-face interviews with 4,229 people aged 15 or older from 2,000 households residing in Seongbuk-gu. The published report includes common indicators from Statistics Korea and Seongbuk-gu policy indicators, covering 12 areas: quality of life, health and welfare, family, education, economy, transportation and environment, housing, safety, culture and leisure, social participation, and public administration, based on residents’ opinions.

Key results show that residents’ satisfaction with life scored 7.31 out of 10, indicating ‘generally satisfied,’ with the highest satisfaction in ‘value of work.’

Regarding household size, ‘one-person’ households accounted for 40.4%, the largest proportion. The one-person household rate by age was 82.3% in their 20s and 46.1% for those aged 60 or older. The main reasons were ‘studying’ (43.3%) for 20s, ‘work’ (51.3%) for 30s, ‘divorce or separation’ for 40s (39.1%) and 50s (79.6%), and ‘spouse’s death’ (75.8%) for 60s and above. For support policies, ‘housing stability support’ was most desired.

For education policy priorities, ‘improvement of out-of-school facilities’ (33.0%) and ‘support for creative talent development programs’ (29.2%) scored high. Satisfaction with public and private education was 7.16 and 6.86 out of 10, respectively, indicating ‘generally satisfied’ and ‘somewhat satisfied.’

To improve transportation and environment, residents cited ‘traffic congestion’ (53.8%), ‘lack of parking spaces and facilities’ (51.8%), and ‘insufficient public transportation routes and frequency’ (45.3%) as major issues. Satisfaction with local environmental conditions and waste disposal increased compared to 2019.

Six out of ten residents feel pride and identity as locals, with a satisfaction score of 6.58 out of 10, slightly up by 0.03 from 2019. The city image associated with Seongbuk-gu was mostly ‘city of history and tradition’ (32.5%) and ‘city of natural scenery’ (24.8%). Older age groups tended to perceive it as a city of history and nature, while younger groups saw it as a city of youth and education.

Seongbuk-gu Mayor Lee Seung-ro said, “The social survey is the foundation for district administration to create the Seongbuk-gu residents want. We will actively incorporate precious residents’ opinions to overcome the seemingly endless crisis and take the first step to regain precious daily life.”

Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon) established the ‘Gangdong Village Media Support Center’ (752 Olympic-ro, 6th floor) to support residents’ media activities and activate village communication through media.

The center covers a total area of 346.63㎡ and consists of a video studio, radio studio, media study room, one-person media room, editing room, media communication room, and equipment storage. It offers customized media education such as video production and podcast production and provides various media experience opportunities like announcers and radio DJs using the studios.

It also plans to support residents’ stable content production activities through live streaming studios, high-spec equipment rental editing rooms, and media equipment rental for filming and sound.

Before official operation, the center will run November education programs including ‘Podcast: Ask Anything,’ ‘Challenge! I’m a YouTuber (Beginner),’ ‘Character Digital Drawing,’ ‘Online Travel (Chroma Key Experience),’ ‘Saturday Announcer (Adult Class),’ ‘Our Family Radio Star,’ and ‘Dubbing Club’ experience programs.

Additionally, on November 6, a special lecture titled ‘Old Future, Metaverse’ will be held to understand the concept of the metaverse (3D virtual world) and explore its applicability in daily life.

Details such as program schedules and fees can be found on the district website, and applications can be made via the Gangdong-gu Village Cooperation Division or by emailing the person in charge (wlsrud713@gd.go.kr).

Gangdong-gu Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon said, “In the non-face-to-face era, media communication is increasingly important. We will actively support everyone to enjoy media and communicate with neighbors through media. I hope the Gangdong Village Media Support Center becomes a stepping stone to ‘Happy Gangdong through Media.’”

The Gangdong Village Media Support Center will hold an opening ceremony on November 11 and officially operate from the 12th. Operating hours are weekdays (Mon-Fri) 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Mapo-gu (Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) announced the appointment of singer Maria, comedian Ohmaju, and comedian Kim Kyung-jin as promotional ambassadors.

The district explained that Maria, Ohmaju, and Kim Kyung-jin, who bring happiness with friendly and cheerful energy to the public, were deemed suitable to promote Mapo-gu’s official slogan ‘Bigger and Happier Mapo through Communication and Innovation’ and thus appointed as ambassadors.

The appointment ceremony was held on the 29th of last month at Mapo-gu Office, attended by Maria, Ohmaju, Kim Kyung-jin, and Kim’s spouse, model Jeon Soo-min.

The three ambassadors will lead Mapo-gu promotion by participating in promotional videos, festivals, and events for two years.

Singer Maria was born in the U.S. and fascinated by Korean popular music, moved to Korea, and appeared on TV Chosun’s flagship competition program ‘Miss Trot 2.’

Despite being in Korea for only two years since the first broadcast, she gained great popularity by singing emotional trot songs and recently appeared on ‘The Tricky Women,’ receiving much love.

Maria said, “I lived near Hongdae for the first year and a half after coming to Korea, so Mapo-gu is a very meaningful neighborhood. I was very happy to be appointed as an ambassador and will promote Mapo in other events and programs.”

Comedian Ohmaju, who recently changed her stage name from Kim Maju, started broadcasting as an MBC comedian in 2013 and gained public recognition through JTBC’s comedian couple observation variety show ‘Can’t Be No.1.’ She recently finished appearing on EBS’s ‘After School DunDun’ and is active in the follow-up program ‘Live Anything Solution Team.’

After the ceremony, Ohmaju said, “I live in Mapo-gu now, so I’m honored to be appointed as an ambassador. If there’s a chance to promote Mapo, I will be ready in one minute, not five, and run anytime to widely promote Mapo’s charm.”

Comedian Kim Kyung-jin passed MBC’s 16th public comedian exam in 2007 as first place and has been active as a versatile entertainer in comedy, variety shows, dramas, movies, and singing since winning the 2009 MBC Entertainment Awards’ Best Newcomer in Comedy.

Recently, he transformed into a food entrepreneur, opening a North Korean-style Pyongyang cold noodle restaurant and a bar with a DJ playing requested songs, gaining attention. On the 28th of last month, he appeared on Mapo-gu’s live commerce ‘Mashola (Mapo Shopping Live)’ to help sell salted shrimp, marking his first activity as an ambassador.

Kim Kyung-jin said, “I lived in Mapo-gu in 2010, and becoming a Mapo-gu ambassador was my dream. I thank Mapo-gu for making that dream come true after 11 years and will work hard to keep Mapo residents happy.”

With these three appointments, Mapo-gu now has eight promotional ambassadors (teams). Singer Haha and comedians Cultwo and actor Kim Seong-hwan have been ambassadors since 2018, and traditional musician Park Ae-ri and performing artist Poppin Hyun-joon since 2019.

Mapo-gu Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun said, “Seeing the ambassadors in person, I’m confident about promoting Mapo in the future and ask for their great help in spreading Mapo-gu.”

Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi) received ‘Happy Sharing Boxes’ of Korean agricultural and livestock products from the Seoul Regional Headquarters of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (Head Lee Dae-yeop) and Bodyfriend (CEO Park Sang-hyun) on the afternoon of the 1st.

The National Agricultural Cooperative Federation Seoul Regional Headquarters and Bodyfriend delivered 133 boxes of agricultural product packages worth about 4 million won, consisting of instant rice, convenience foods, seaweed, ramen, apples, etc. The packages will be distributed to low-income residents in welfare blind spots in the region through the Seoul Community Chest of Korea.

Jungnang-gu Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi said, “We thank the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation Seoul Regional Headquarters and Bodyfriend for their continuous social contribution activities. We will carefully ensure that the delivered agricultural packages help neighbors in need have a warm and abundant autumn.”

Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Seon-gap) will hold ‘Gwangjin Village Autonomy Festival’ from November 1 to 6 to share the achievements of village community activities.

Hosted by the district and organized by Gwangjin-gu Village Autonomy Center (Director Kim Seung-ho), this is the 7th annual event.

This year’s event, under the slogan ‘Dancing Village, Dreaming Autonomy’ for ‘easier participation and tighter connections in village communities,’ will be held both offline and online.

The offline event, themed ‘Easier Participation,’ will run from November 1 to 5 at various village spaces with village community experience programs.

At the village space ‘House of Fairy Tales,’ there will be story performances for children; at ‘Sharing Space Nanum,’ posture correction yoga; and at ‘Jayang Station,’ jazz performances.

Various other community spaces will offer diverse experience programs.

Online, under the theme ‘Tighter Connections,’ from 1:30 p.m. on the 6th, various village community achievements will be shared live on the Gwangjin-gu Village Autonomy Center YouTube channel.

The online event includes performance stage, chat stage, experience stage, and festival stage.

Experience kits such as making red pepper paste will be provided for the ‘Experience Stage’ via Zoom; ‘Exciting Performance Stage’ will feature various village performances; ‘Lively Chat Stage’ will share videos of village community activities and encourage mutual growth; and the event will conclude with a ‘Dancing Festival’ performance connecting village spots and people.

For more information, contact the Gwangjin-gu Village Autonomy Center.

Gwangjin-gu Mayor Kim Seon-gap said, “I thank residents who worked hard to activate Gwangjin village communities despite difficult circumstances. I hope the festival will be an opportunity to feel the meaning and value of village communities once again.”

Gangnam-gu (Mayor Jung Soon-gyun) is recruiting participating companies for the ‘2021 Gangnam-gu Job Creation Excellent Company Certification System’ from the 1st to the 26th to foster local small and medium enterprises and activate private employment creation.

The district will select 20 companies, awarding certificates and plaques, and provide benefits such as a two-year deferral of local tax audits (subject to change depending on real estate ownership), preferential treatment in youth intern participation and SME fund support projects, and expansion of youth intern recruitment from 3 to 5 people. Selected companies must maintain employment numbers for two years.

Companies with headquarters in Gangnam-gu in the last two years, which have increased employment by 5% or more or increased by 3 people (for 5-49 regular workers) or 5 people (for 50-299 regular workers) between September 30 last year and September 30 this year, can apply. However, entertainment and luxury industries are excluded.

Interested companies can download the application form from the Gangnam-gu website and submit it with documents by visit or mail. For details, contact the Job Policy Division.

Since 2011, the district has operated the certification system for excellent SMEs contributing to job creation, supporting 1,606 jobs in 126 companies as of November.

Guro-gu’s care services are improving.

Guro-gu (Mayor Lee Sung) signed agreements with local hospitals to provide seamless ‘Care SOS Service’ for patients about to be discharged.

The hospitals that signed agreements with Guro-gu are Korea University Guro Hospital, Guro Dana Hospital, Seonam Hospital, OK Nursing Hospital, and Jejung Nursing Hospital.

Residents hospitalized in these hospitals can apply for Care SOS Center services directly at the affiliated medical institutions before discharge without visiting the community center separately. Basic livelihood security recipients and lower-income groups receive the service free of charge.

Care managers assigned to each community center establish appropriate care plans for applicants based on information received from hospitals and link customized services to be provided immediately upon discharge.

Support services include temporary home care for residents with mobility difficulties after discharge, meal support, housing convenience, and accompaniment support services.

Guro-gu will continuously monitor care service users through case meetings among the district office, community centers, and health centers.

The Care SOS Center agreement ceremony held on the 28th of last month was attended by Guro-gu Mayor Lee Sung, Korea University Guro Hospital Director Han Seung-gyu, Guro Dana Hospital Director Kim Sa-jun, and Jejung Nursing Hospital Director Lee Han-gi. Seonam Hospital (Director Jang Sung-hee) and OK Nursing Hospital (Director Lee Hyung-ho) signed agreements through individual visits.

A Guro-gu official said, “This Care SOS service agreement enables more detailed support for patients needing customized care. We will continue to do our best to provide various care services.”

Guro-gu established a Care Support Team in the Welfare Policy Division in July to promptly and efficiently respond to care gaps and actively promote the ‘Care SOS Center’ project.

Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Seong-hoon) announced that the ‘1st Geumcheon Fashion Film Festival,’ Korea’s first fashion-themed film festival, will open on November 5 at Lotte Cinema Gasan Digital Complex and run for three days until the 7th.

Held to ‘re-examine regional specialized fashion businesses through films,’ the Geumcheon Fashion Film Festival received submissions from June 15 to August 31 and announced 46 finalists on September 28. Despite being the first festival, it attracted much interest with 482 submissions.

The festival consists of 11 sections: nine competitive sections screening finalist films, an overseas special exhibition featuring fashion short films screened and awarded at international film festivals, and ‘Docu & Conference’ examining Geumcheon’s fashion industry.

On November 5-6, 46 competitive films and 6 overseas invited films will be screened. Details of films by competition section are available on the festival’s official website.

On November 7, documentaries produced by Geumcheon fashion industry workers will be screened, followed by award ceremonies and screenings of winning films. A program for directors and audiences to discuss films is also prepared.

Film director Jung Yoon-chul, known for ‘Marathon’ and ‘The Proxy,’ was appointed as the festival executive chairman, raising expectations for the festival’s development. He said, “I hope films expressing unique styles will participate, expanding the fashion category and developing the festival into a distinctive one, contributing to raising Geumcheon’s city brand.”

Geumcheon-gu Mayor Yoo Seong-hoon said, “Through this festival, we aim to re-examine Geumcheon’s specialized fashion and apparel industry and promote its excellence domestically and internationally. As the first fashion film festival where fashion meets film, we hope many will visit Geumcheon, the fashion hub.”

For details, contact the Geumcheon Fashion Film Festival official website or Geumcheon Cultural Foundation.

Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol) will conduct a full survey of middle-aged and older single-person households living in vulnerable housing areas until December 30.

This survey aims to investigate welfare needs of middle-aged single-person households, whose isolation has increased due to social structural changes and prolonged COVID-19 social distancing, and to identify households exposed to risks such as family breakdown, unemployment, and health deterioration.

The target is single-person households aged 50 or older living in vulnerable housing areas such as rental housing residents within one year, basement rooms, rooftop rooms, goshiwon (small rooms), motels, and jjimjilbang (saunas) in multi-family houses.

To prevent COVID-19 spread, a survey notice will be sent first, and non-face-to-face surveys (phone, written) will be conducted primarily, with home visits as needed.

Notices will also be sent to business owners of goshiwons, motels, and jjimjilbangs to report residents needing counseling. However, those already identified as high risk for solitary death through previous counseling or welfare service history are excluded to avoid duplicate surveys and reduce workload, focusing on discovering actual welfare blind spots.

The survey covers housing environment, health status, economic activity, social networks, solitary death risk, and service needs. Based on results, risk levels will be assessed, and customized welfare services linked to households in crisis.

Dongdaemun-gu Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol said, “Single-person households are rapidly increasing, but support to alleviate isolation and economic difficulties among middle-aged single-person households is insufficient. We will actively support them based on the survey.”

Seongbuk-gu, known as the ‘museum without a roof’ for fully preserving the lives and activities of Korea’s modern cultural artists, offers a perfect opportunity to explore Seongbuk-dong on autumn nights.

Seoul’s Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) will hold ‘2021 Seongbuk-dong Night Stroll’ for two days from November 5 to 6, centered on Seongbuk-dong.

The Night Stroll is a representative festival of Seongbuk-gu, attracting over 30,000 visitors annually.

Cultural heritage sites such as Simujang, where independence activist Manhae Han Yong-un spent his later years and passed away; the Korean Martyrs’ Catholic Order’s Kubonwon; the old house of art historian Choi Sun-woo; Lee Jong-seok’s villa showing late Joseon summer villa architecture; and Seonjamdanji, a Joseon-era silkworm deity altar, will be open at night.

Seongbuk-gu Art Museum, Seongbuk Seonjam Museum, Our Old Stone Museum, and Yehyangjae cultural facilities will also participate in night openings and offer various experience programs, drawing high interest. Pre-registration is required for making Nubi Beoseon incense bags, Sobok Sobok art lamps, and starlight gold leaf lanterns, with high competition.

The central street from Seongbuk-dong Community Center across to Bangwoo Mountain Lodge will be beautifully decorated with Seongbuk-dong themes, including Seongbuk’s history, writers’ quotes, and features of the Joseon-era villa area, with photo zones.

Pre-registered visitors can watch traditional performances by National Intangible Cultural Heritage holders: Daegum Sanjo master Lee Saeng-gang (No. 45), Seonsori Taryeong instructor Lee Geon-ja (No. 19), and Paltal master Jo Young-sook (No. 79).

New AR technology will also be used. By recognizing cultural heritage images with smartphones, a narrator appears on the screen to explain the history and stories of the heritage. A separate app installation is required on-site.

Seongbuk-gu Mayor Lee Seung-ro said, “Through the 2021 Seongbuk-dong Night Stroll, I hope everyone enjoys the charm of the roofless museum Seongbuk-dong and finds comfort and encouragement in the quiet autumn nights during the difficult COVID-19 period.”

For pre-registration and more information, visit the ‘2021 Seongbuk-dong Night Stroll’ website or contact by phone.

Yeongdeungpo-gu Mayor Chae Hyun-il attended the ‘3rd Yeongdeungpo-gu Cooperation Council Appointment Ceremony and 4th Quarter Regular Meeting’ held at the annex auditorium of the district office on the afternoon of the 1st.

The Cooperation Council deliberates and coordinates policies for activating public-private cooperation, institutional improvements, and discusses and advises on key cooperation projects.

On this day, Mayor Chae presented appointment letters to 20 members and encouraged them to discover public-private cooperation agendas that residents can feel and to spread a culture of cooperation.

Seocho-gu (Mayor Cho Eun-hee) will open a total of 36 ‘Seocho-gu Stray Cat Feeding Stations’ by adding 11 new stations by October this year to the existing 25 stations.

The stray cat feeding stations started with 3 pilot stations in 2017, added 18 stations in 2019 (one per each neighborhood), and 4 stations in 2020 for stray cats left in abandoned reconstruction areas. This year, 2 old stations were replaced, and 11 new stations were added, including the Bangbae 13 district reconstruction area, based on applications from stray cat neutering volunteers.

The main features of this year’s feeding stations include a feeding box (0.58m wide, 0.35m deep, 0.4m high) and a footboard (0.55m wide, 0.24m deep), with a longer roof than existing stations to reduce rain inside and provide more comfort. The legs are made of rubber to prevent corrosion, and the stations are made of wood-colored timber to blend with the environment.

Generally, stray cat feeding stations are made indiscriminately with styrofoam or bricks, damaging the surroundings and causing secondary waste and environmental complaints. Local cat moms caring for stray cats often face harsh views.

To address this, Seocho-gu works with stray cat neutering volunteers to provide clean food and maintain cleanliness around feeding stations.

A district official said, “This will prevent residents’ inconvenience while allowing stray cats to eat comfortably, spreading a healthy stray cat care culture.”

Seocho-gu operates 77 stray cat neutering volunteers this year, ranking top among Seoul districts in neutering achievements. The district also pursues various animal welfare policies, including enacting animal protection ordinances, opening the Seocho Animal Love Center for abandoned dog adoption and education, and operating animal protection honorary monitors.

Seocho-gu Mayor Cho Eun-hee said, “I hope the installation of stray cat feeding stations will establish a mature companion culture where residents and animals coexist harmoniously.”

Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) announced on the 1st that it is recruiting members for the Seodaemun Environmental Policy Committee according to the fully revised ‘Seodaemun-gu Basic Environmental Ordinance’ enacted in September.

The committee performs functions such as consultation and advice on district environmental policy promotion, program development and policy proposals for building a ‘Green City Seodaemun,’ and encouraging and discovering support measures for environmental conservation activities.

For efficient operation and expertise, six subcommittees will be established: environmental education, climate crisis resident action, energy transition, resource circulation, ecological conservation, and green transportation.

Applicants can be experts from private environmental organizations or residents or local business workers with abundant environmental knowledge or interest and experience in environmental conservation.

Up to 90 members will be recruited. Applicants can download the application form from the Seodaemun-gu website ‘Notices’ section, fill it out, and submit it by email or visit the 4th floor Climate Environment Division by the 19th of this month. Applicants must select their preferred subcommittee.

The district will appoint committee members after document screening. The term is two years, renewable twice.

Seodaemun-gu Mayor Moon Seok-jin said, “I hope the Environmental Policy Committee will enhance policy expertise for building a green city and discover various projects for carbon neutrality.”

Desks and wardrobes that used to take up space and be a nuisance can now be disposed of more easily and conveniently via mobile.

Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Roh Hyun-song) announced that it will introduce and operate a mobile app ‘Bbaegi’ from this month, allowing residents to easily dispose of large waste using smartphones.

Previously, to dispose of large waste, residents had to report disposal online via the district website or purchase large waste stickers at community centers and attach them to waste, which was inconvenient.

To make it easier and more convenient, the district decided to introduce ‘Bbaegi,’ a smartphone-based waste disposal reporting service.

‘Bbaegi’ is a mobile app service that allows one-stop reporting and payment for large waste disposal with just one photo. The app can be downloaded for free from the smartphone Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS).

Residents who want to dispose of large waste enter the disposal location and upload a photo of the item. The app uses AI object recognition to estimate the cost, and after confirming the amount, payment can be made via mobile.

Once paid, a disposal number is generated and sent to the district, allowing disposal without a separate report certificate. The disposal process can also be tracked through the app.

Additionally, ‘Bbaegi’ offers a paid ‘Delivery Service’ for residents who have difficulty moving large waste, greatly improving convenience.

It also features a ‘Used Goods Purchase’ service linked with secondhand recycling centers to facilitate trading of used furniture and electronics, expected to help increase resource recycling rates.

Gangseo-gu Mayor Roh Hyun-song said, “We expect this large waste easy disposal service to reduce residents’ inconvenience and increase resource circulation. We will continue to prepare various administrative services to enhance resident convenience.”