[Seoul District News] Special Traffic Measures for 2022 College Scholastic Ability Test to Support Examinees' Convenience...Strict Illegal Parking Enforcement and Traffic Control Center Operation Near Test Sites on Exam Day...Yudeokyeol, Dongdaemun-gu Mayor, Encourages Civil Servants Exhausted by Emotional Labor and Work Overload on the 17th Afternoon...Nowon-gu Launches '2022 Warm Winter' Love Temperature Tower...Jungnang-gu Conducts Education and Healing Concert for Volunteers...Gwanak-gu Resumes Traditional Outdoor Theater Wedding Ceremonies Suspended Due to COVID-19
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Chae Hyun-il) is implementing special transportation measures in preparation for the ‘2022 College Scholastic Ability Test’ scheduled for November 18.
This year, Yeongdeungpo-gu has a total of 8 schools serving as test sites: 6 general test sites including Yeongdeungpo Girls' High School, Yeouido High School, Yeouido Girls' High School; 1 separate test site (Seonyu High School) for COVID-19 self-quarantined students; and 1 special test site (Yeouido Middle School) for students with mild visual impairments. A total of 2,997 examinees will take the exam at these locations.
The district anticipates a large volume of movement on the exam day and aims to ensure smooth traffic management to facilitate the convenience of examinees.
First, on November 17, the day before the exam, notices restricting parking around the test sites will be posted at the test sites and local community centers. On the exam day, six teams of two enforcement officers each will focus on cracking down on illegal parking within 200 meters of each test site.
Additionally, to prevent traffic congestion around the test sites, traffic control will be conducted from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. on the exam day, and a Traffic Countermeasures Situation Room will be operated to oversee the overall traffic measures for the exam.
The district plans to closely monitor traffic conditions around the test sites through a communication network with related organizations such as Seoul City and respond promptly to any unusual situations.
Free transportation vehicles will be provided to help examinees arrive at the test sites on time. A total of 36 administrative and volunteer vehicles and about 120 personnel will be mobilized from designated guidance points in each neighborhood community center to assist examinees’ movement. Major guidance points include ▲Yeongdeungpo Station Exit 1 ▲Daerim Station ▲Yangpyeong Station ▲Sinpung Station ▲Mullae Station, totaling 18 locations.
The Seoul Automobile Professional Maintenance Business Association Yeongdeungpo Branch will also support volunteer vehicles. Positioned at the busy intersection near Mullae Station, five passenger cars will assist in transporting examinees from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, vehicles used for transportation support will be equipped with hand sanitizers and spare masks, and strict adherence to quarantine guidelines such as temperature checks and registration before boarding will be enforced.
A district official stated, “From 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. on the exam day, village buses passing by the test sites have been scheduled intensively, and Seoul City will increase subway operations and lift taxi restrictions. We ask residents to refrain from using private cars and actively use public transportation.”
Furthermore, the district has prepared noise prevention measures to create a stable exam atmosphere. Businesses and construction sites around the test sites have been requested to actively cooperate in noise control. All village bus routes will minimize noise by refraining from honking, sudden starts, and sudden stops during the entire exam period and operating at low speeds.
Yeongdeungpo-gu Mayor Chae Hyun-il said, “We want to provide maximum administrative convenience so that examinees who have worked hard for a long time can focus comfortably on the exam,” adding, “We will make thorough preparations for flawless quarantine activities and transportation measures to ensure a safe exam.”
If there are any questions regarding transportation support or emergencies on the exam day, inquiries can be made to the Yeongdeungpo-gu Traffic Countermeasures Situation Room.
Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) will provide emergency transportation for examinees on the morning of the 18th, the day of the 2022 College Scholastic Ability Test.
To this end, the Model Drivers Seodaemun Branch will provide 18 vehicles, and six local taxi companies including Sky Taxi, Fine Taxi, Min Kyung Transport, Yes Taxi, Namchang Business, and Woori Sangwoon will support 28 vehicles as free transportation for examinees. Local taxi companies voluntarily participate in free taxi transportation for examinees every year on the exam day.
Additionally, the Seodaemun-gu Automobile Professional Maintenance Business Association (Carpos) will provide 10 vehicles, and 14 administrative vehicles will be supported by each neighborhood community center in Seodaemun-gu.
These 70 vehicles will be stationed at Sinchon Station, Hongje Station, Seodaemun Station, Ahyeon Station, Gajwa Station, Dongnimmun Station, Yeonhui Intersection, and Namgajwa-dong Intersection, operating from 6 a.m. to 8:10 a.m. Vehicles will display a ‘Examinee Transportation Support Vehicle’ sign on the front windshield for easy identification.
Any examinee can use these vehicles free of charge to reach their exam locations.
For examinee convenience, from the day before the exam, village buses in the area will display notices indicating ‘2022 College Scholastic Ability Test Exam Site ○○ High School Route’ and provide announcements for stops.
Furthermore, 56 staff members from 12 teams of the district office and neighborhood community centers will be deployed at major points with high traffic demand and near test sites to guide ‘giving rides to empty seats, boarding first, and riding together.’ Illegal parking enforcement will also be strengthened to prevent congestion around test sites.
Seodaemun-gu will increase public transportation capacity on the exam day by adding city and village buses according to examinee movement times and lifting personal taxi restrictions.
Seodaemun-gu Mayor Moon Seok-jin said, “We have prepared transportation measures to provide practical help to examinees,” and “We ask citizens to cooperate by refraining from driving private cars so that examinees can arrive conveniently and safely at the exam sites.”
Seodaemun-gu has six test sites including Myeongji High School, Ewha Girls' High School, Inchang High School, Jungang Girls' High School, Gajaeul High School, and Hanseong High School, with 2,970 registered examinees.
The exam will be held from 8:40 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on the 18th, and examinees must enter the test sites by 8:10 a.m.
Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol) held a special event on the afternoon of the 17th to comfort civil service workers who have been exhausted by civil complaints and increased workload due to COVID-19.
“I am a first-year employee. I try to provide maximum convenience during civil consultations, but sometimes when explaining procedures, complainants express discomfort or anger. I am curious about the mayor’s know-how to guide procedures without hurting the complainants’ feelings!”
This was a story conveyed to Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol, who transformed into a ‘one-day DJ’ that day. Many other stories were shared with the mayor on topics such as wanting praise, seeking comfort, and know-how for kind civil service responses.
Mayor Yoo read the stories, empathized, and encouraged the civil service workers, warmly comforting their hearts. He also exchanged opinions on improving the working environment of the civil service office, seeking ways to make it a space for empathy, communication, encouragement, and support rather than just a workplace.
Dongdaemun-gu Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol said, “Despite the increasing complexity of civil affairs and the hardships caused by COVID-19 quarantine duties, I sincerely thank all our staff who have kindly served visitors to the civil service office,” adding, “We will do our best to make the civil service office a happy place for both staff and visitors, where employees can work safely and happily.”
Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is actively promoting the ‘2022 Hope Ondol Warm Winter Project’ to help vulnerable groups and neighbors in need within the district.
The ‘Hope Ondol Warm Winter Project (Daggyeo)’ is a public-private cooperative fundraising campaign for neighbors in need, conducted in partnership with the Seoul Social Welfare Community Chest.
Donations can be made in cash or goods. The campaign runs until February 14 next year, with this year’s target amount set at 2.8% higher than last year’s, totaling 2.8 billion KRW.
Individuals, organizations, and companies wishing to participate can deposit donations into Nowon-gu’s dedicated account (Social Welfare Community Chest) or visit the Welfare Policy Division on the 4th floor of Nowon-gu Office or any of the 19 neighborhood community centers to submit donations or goods.
Considering the difficulty of face-to-face fundraising, QR code donations via smartphones are now available, allowing easy and convenient participation without paperwork.
Donors receive mileage benefits equivalent to 10% of their donation amount, usable at affiliated stores such as cafes and bookstores in the Nowon area. Tax deductions are available under the Income Tax Act, and donation details can be checked through the National Tax Service’s year-end tax settlement simplification service.
To promote the project and encourage participation, a large LED temperature tower displaying fundraising status was installed in the plaza in front of Lotte Department Store Nowon Branch, with an unveiling ceremony held on the 15th.
Temperature towers will also be installed at Nowon Meeting Plaza and Hwarangdae Gyeongchun Line Railroad Park, areas with high foot traffic, to encourage continuous participation during the fundraising period.
Previously, Nowon-gu was selected as an excellent autonomous district for fundraising for three consecutive years since 2019. Despite difficulties due to COVID-19 last year, about 2.72 billion KRW was raised, exceeding the initial target of 2.3 billion KRW, marking the highest amount ever.
Donated daily necessities such as masks, hand sanitizers, rice, and kimchi were immediately distributed to vulnerable groups in the area, greatly aiding infection prevention and living support. Donations were used for living expenses, medical costs, housing, education, and emergency relief for low-income residents below 120% of the median income, including basic livelihood security recipients and near-poverty groups.
Additionally, the district actively conducts welfare projects to identify support targets. The ‘Nowon Knock Knock Care Team’ visits and calls households in need, with over 133 cases of vulnerable households overcoming emergencies recorded through this activity this year.
Nowon-gu Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “Despite COVID-19 and economic downturn, the fundraising amount has increased every year thanks to residents who think of their neighbors first,” adding, “We ask for your participation in creating a warm Nowon with sharing so that neighbors in need can safely get through this winter.”
“I volunteer because I enjoy it, and I’m so happy and thankful to have a concert like this. I will continue to work harder in volunteer activities!”
This is a comment from volunteer Lee, who attended the ‘Volunteer Healing Concert’ hosted by Jungnang-gu.
Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) prepared a special time for volunteers. On the 16th, the district held capacity-building education and a healing concert at the Jungnang-gu Office basement auditorium to comfort and encourage volunteers who worked hard throughout the year.
The capacity-building education, themed ‘Brilliant Today, Shining with You,’ began with a pre-performance by violinist Jang Han-saem, followed by an opening performance by a popera singer, a thank-you speech by Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi, moving volunteer stories, a rose performance, and a volunteer special lecture, creating a warm atmosphere.
The beautiful melodies sung by the popera singer provided comfort to volunteers who have tirelessly served at COVID-19 vaccination centers, moving assistance, pest control, and other challenging tasks despite the difficult pandemic situation.
Jungnang-gu Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi said, “I sincerely thank all volunteers for their dedication and hard work,” adding, “We will continue to activate local volunteering centered on the Volunteer Center and make every effort so volunteers can serve with pride and confidence.”
In Jungnang-gu, volunteers practice neighborly love in various fields including family volunteer groups, corporate volunteer groups, home repair, moving assistance, English learning support for low-income children, volunteer camps, traditional medicine service, and beauty services.
Dobong-gu (Mayor Lee Dong-jin) has prepared a 2022 budget proposal totaling 739.2 billion KRW and submitted it to the district council.
The 2022 budget proposal for Dobong-gu is 739.2 billion KRW, an increase of 69.4 billion KRW (10.35%) from this year’s 669.8 billion KRW, marking the largest scale ever. This aims to quickly restore pre-COVID-19 daily life and strengthen future investments for Dobong-gu’s leap and growth.
To this end, the district expanded budgets for vaccines, quarantine, and support for vulnerable groups due to prolonged COVID-19, and actively reflected project costs for future economic infrastructure such as climate change response and carbon neutrality.
Key budget allocations by sector include 27.2 billion KRW for economic vitality, supporting jobs and social activities for seniors and disabled persons, and expanding employment and entrepreneurship education through job funds.
To strengthen social safety nets and eliminate welfare blind spots, 382.5 billion KRW was allocated. Budgets for basic pensions and basic livelihood security benefits were increased. Following the 2021 middle and high school entrance preparation funds, 200,000 KRW entrance preparation funds will be newly provided to elementary school freshmen in 2022. The ‘First Meeting Voucher’ project will provide 2 million KRW birth congratulatory money to all newborns from 2022.
With 46.6 billion KRW, the district plans to solve parking space shortages by constructing public parking lots in Banghak 2-dong and Chang 1-dong, and improve residents’ commuting convenience through major long-term unexecuted road development projects. The Hanok Library in Banghak 3-dong is expected to be completed in March 2022, enhancing cultural accessibility for nearby residents.
For cultural and educational city development, 19.7 billion KRW was allocated to increase residents’ opportunities to enjoy local culture and arts, investing annually in the Dobong Cultural and Arts Center equipped with a large performance hall.
Plans include providing diverse leisure spaces for residents through the construction of a historical and cultural rest area around Yeonsangun’s tomb, the Letter Literature Museum, and operation of Peacecho Park.
Additionally, 45.6 billion KRW will be invested to provide free essential vaccinations including COVID-19 vaccines, build an indoor sports center in Ssangmun-dong, and create environments for healthy living and leisure. Two smart rest areas will be prioritized in front of Dobong-gu Office and the community center for fine dust safety. Research for establishing a regional energy plan and building a carbon empathy mileage operation system are also included to prepare for a future economic structure transition.
In this budget, Dobong-gu additionally allocated about 2 billion KRW of district funds for 16 projects whose Seoul City subsidies were cut, including resident autonomy, social economy, and comprehensive social welfare center operations. Notably, nearly 900 million KRW of subsidies cut from resident autonomy and citizen participation budgets will be stably supported by district funds to continue grassroots democracy.
Dobong-gu Mayor Lee Dong-jin said, “The 2022 budget was prepared expansively to support residents’ hopes for daily life recovery in line with the government’s fiscal expansion policy. We will strive to prepare for a new normal by actively managing finances and utilizing all possible administrative means.”
Seocho-gu has completely renovated the aging lighting facilities of the ‘Central City Pedestrian Overpass’ near Express Bus Terminal Station and will operate the new lighting from the 22nd.
The ‘Central City Pedestrian Overpass’ is a major transportation connection facility linking residential areas in a region with high population flow such as Express Bus Terminal Station and St. Mary’s Hospital. Many residents use this facility daily. Despite its unique and beautiful design, residents have experienced some inconvenience due to the outdated lighting facilities.
To improve the lighting, the district installed 203 BAR lights on the main tower and 87 lower lights in the internal connecting passage and stair areas of the pedestrian overpass (length 67m, width 6.1m, height 26m) over five months starting in June this year.
The overall lighting of the overpass is designed with a comfortable color temperature. Normally, the main tower lighting will display real-time fine dust information in four colors (blue, green, yellow, red). During local festivals and Christmas, the external lighting colors of the overpass will be combined in various ways to create lively and diverse lighting effects.
Additionally, the LED electronic display on the overpass will provide fine dust information along with various lifestyle information.
Yoo Dong-cheol, Director of the Road Division, said, “We expect to offer residents useful lifestyle information along with a healing landscape through the pedestrian overpass,” adding, “We hope it becomes a beloved landmark of Seocho-gu.”
Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Seon-gap) will hold an online commemorative event on the 20th under the theme ‘Gwangjin-gu, Capturing Children’s Rights from Four Directions’ during Children’s Rights Week.
The event commemorates the adoption date of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (November 20, 1989) and is designed as a space for respect and empathy for the four major rights of children: survival, protection, development, and participation.
This year’s event consists of a Children’s Rights Week commemorative event and experiential children’s rights education, conducted via YouTube live broadcast and Zoom application participation.
The commemorative event includes various recreations and a fun Children’s Rights Quiz Golden Bell to encourage interest and participation in children’s rights.
The experiential children’s rights education features online events such as psychological tests and tarot cards, and various online experiential booths using activity kits with themes like ‘Saving the Earth through My Participation,’ ‘Healing through Giving and Receiving,’ ‘Be the Child’s Umbrella,’ ‘Play is Right,’ and ‘Let’s Play Together.’
Each online experiential booth can accommodate 60 participants on a first-come, first-served basis, and experience kits are distributed to pre-registered participants before the event.
Notably, eight organizations including the Gwangjin Youth Center, Gwangjin Youth Counseling Welfare Center, Gwangjin Youth Support Center Dream, Gwangjin Internet Addiction Prevention Counseling Center, Gwangjin Mental Health Welfare Center, Gwangjin Education Welfare Center, Gwangjang Comprehensive Social Welfare Center, and Beautiful School participate and operate online booths to promote children’s rights.
Gwangjin-gu Mayor Kim Seon-gap said, “I hope this Children’s Rights Week event becomes a space for respect and empathy for children’s rights and protection,” adding, “We will continue to create various policies to build a happy city where children can dream.”
Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) will resume traditional wedding ceremonies held at the ‘Gwanak-gu Traditional Outdoor Small Theater (Nakseongdae-ro 3-gil 45)’ in Nakseongdae Park in line with phased daily recovery.
Operated by the Gwanak Cultural Center, the ‘Traditional Wedding Ceremony’ has been held since 2014, with over 550 couples married, receiving great response from couples dreaming of a special wedding.
The ceremonies were temporarily suspended to prevent COVID-19 spread but, following the first phase of ‘With Corona’ reopening, up to 500 people can attend regardless of vaccination status if the attendees are fewer than 100 and consist only of fully vaccinated persons.
The traditional outdoor small theater in Nakseongdae Park, blessed by Gwanaksan Mountain and General Gang Gam-chan’s good energy, offers a beautiful setting with trees and flowers, accompanied by lively traditional percussion sounds during the ceremonies.
Professional officiants and assistants conduct the ceremonies strictly following COVID-19 quarantine rules, performing rituals such as Jeonanrye, Gyobaerye, Hapgeunnye, and Pyebaek. The yard serves as the wedding hall, and the main hanok building is used as the Pyebaek room and bride’s waiting room.
Basic costs including Choryecheong attire and ceremony proceedings are 1.3 million KRW, with optional services such as congratulatory performances, beauty, Pyebaek, and food.
For more details or reservations, contact the Gwanak Cultural Etiquette Center website or the person in charge.
Gwanak-gu Mayor Park Jun-hee said, “Marriage is a great human event and the source of all blessings. Our traditional wedding ceremony has been regarded as the starting point of human relations as members of the social community,” adding, “I hope the traditional wedding ceremony full of our old charm becomes a meaningful memory for both the couple and guests.”
Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) won grand prizes in two categories, YouTube and Blog, at the 7th ‘2021 SNS of the Year’ awards.
The ‘SNS of the Year Award,’ now in its 7th year, was established in 2015 by the Korea Social Content Promotion Association to evaluate the use of social network services (SNS) by companies and public institutions, recognize those actively communicating with customers and citizens, and promote proper SNS culture.
Through a two-stage evaluation?quantitative performance measurement and qualitative judging of content quality, storytelling, and activity?54 companies and institutions were selected in various categories. Seongbuk-gu won the grand prize in both YouTube and Blog categories, demonstrating active communication with residents.
Seongbuk-gu’s official YouTube channel (SeongbukTV) actively communicates with residents using keywords ‘Simple,’ ‘New,’ and ‘Seongbuk.’
Especially popular are ‘60-second Fact in Seongbuk,’ hosted by a Seongbuk announcer, and ‘Do You Know Seongbuk,’ which presents residents’ stories in an entertainment format.
The official Seongbuk-gu blog (Seongbuk Nuri), operating since 2011 under the theme ‘Seongbuk, Sincerely,’ communicates with residents through friendly and heartfelt content rather than just text.
Seongbuk-gu Mayor Lee Seung-ro said, “I am truly pleased and grateful to receive the ‘SNS of the Year’ grand prize in both YouTube and Blog categories,” adding, “We will continue to actively engage in social media to communicate and empathize with residents in various ways, listening to their voices and seeking diverse answers both on-site and through social media.”
Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol) revamped the website of the ‘Dongdaemun-gu Mental Health Welfare Center’ to enable residents to easily check their mental health status anytime and anywhere.
The revamp included installing self-assessment tools for mental health accessible via PC and mobile versions, allowing residents to conduct screenings easily.
Adults can check for suicide risk and depression through a depression screening tool and assess alcohol abuse status using an alcohol use disorder screening tool, helping prevent suicide risk due to depression.
Children and adolescents can undergo ADHD tests to detect common abnormal behaviors such as attention deficit, hyperactivity, and impulsivity early, preventing academic and developmental issues.
To address mental health issues among young adults, a self-diagnosis for early psychosis is provided to identify high-risk groups and prevent chronic mental illness.
Residents wishing to self-assess can simply visit the Dongdaemun-gu Mental Health Welfare Center website and click the self-diagnosis menu.
Those identified as high-risk through the service receive counseling support from professional staff at the Mental Health Welfare Center without separate application. Depending on symptom severity, referrals to medical treatment are possible, and various services such as medical expense support for low-income psychiatric patients are provided.
Dongdaemun-gu Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol said, “We revamped the website by installing mental health self-assessment tools to lower the barrier for residents’ mental health screening,” adding, “As mental difficulties increase due to prolonged COVID-19, we will continue to provide diverse support related to mental health issues.”
Gangnam-gu (Mayor Jung Soon-gyun) has secured an additional 95 parking spaces at four parking lots this year through the ‘Attached Parking Lot Opening and Sharing Project’ to alleviate parking difficulties, operating a total of 13 locations with 431 spaces.
The ‘Attached Parking Lot Opening and Sharing Project’ involves opening parking lots with five or more spaces during the day or night. Under the agreement, building owners can receive up to 25 million KRW in support for parking facility improvements such as CCTV and barriers.
Until last year, the ‘Attached Parking Lot Opening’ was operated directly by building owners, but from this year, it has been entrusted to the Gangnam-gu Urban Management Corporation and shifted to focus on ‘Resident Priority Parking’ to enhance convenience for residents.
Parking revenue generated from the opened lots belongs to the building owners or operators. Any nearby building with high parking demand (apartment complexes, religious facilities, schools, general buildings, public facilities, etc.) can participate. Applications and inquiries can be made to the Gangnam-gu Traffic Administration Division.
Lee Hee-hyun, Director of the Traffic Administration Division, said, “Utilizing attached parking lots of surrounding buildings offers good accessibility for residents and affordable rates comparable to resident priority parking,” adding, “We will continue efforts to secure new open parking lots and alleviate parking difficulties.”
Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Sung-soo) announced that it will hold the ‘Songpa Youth Village Festival’ at 3 p.m. on the 20th at Songpa DNG Hall (195 Ogeum-ro) to allow youth to freely express their talents and creativity.
The festival is part of the Songpa-gu Public-Private Cooperation Committee’s ‘with - A World Going Together Slowly’ project. It was planned to provide a festival where youths, who have had a difficult time due to COVID-19, can showcase their passion.
The festival consists of a youth song contest and a youth cultural festival (literature and art contest).
In the youth song contest, eight teams who passed the preliminary round will perform live. They will compete freely without topic restrictions, and four teams will be selected for grand prize, excellence award, outstanding award, and encouragement award by professional judges.
In the youth cultural festival, photos, drawings, writings, and poems submitted online in advance will be selected and awarded. Four winners will be chosen, including one grand prize and one excellence award in both literature and art categories. Selected works will be used as youth activity content in the district.
Additionally, the festival will feature public-private cooperation committee project sharing, band-making projects, busking video viewing, and various congratulatory dance performances.
The event on the 20th at 3 p.m. will be held without an audience to prevent COVID-19 spread but will be broadcast live on the Songpa TV YouTube channel.
Songpa-gu Mayor Park Sung-soo said, “I hope youths exhausted by COVID-19 can freely express their talents and creativity through this festival,” adding, “We will continue to support various cultural events so youths can nurture dreams and hopes and communicate with the community.”
Jongno-gu will hold an exhibition titled ‘Create Framing: Can Even an Elephant Frame in Insadong?’ from the 16th to the 20th at the Multipurpose Hall in Marronnier Park (104 Daehak-ro), re-examining the history and meaning of framing.
Insadong was home to the ‘Dohwaseo,’ the royal painting office during the Joseon Dynasty, playing a central role in Korean painting for a long time. In the 1960s and 1970s, the antique art market flourished, and galleries, framing shops, and brush shops dominated Insadong, marking a golden age. However, since the 2000s, changes in architectural styles and the decline of the antique art market have gradually reduced the activities of framing artisans.
Jongno-gu plans to hold diverse exhibitions on framing, a traditional cultural resource representing Insadong, to raise public interest and promote the unique brand value of Insadong.
Visitors can watch a documentary on the crisis of framing culture and see various related works such as appointment scrolls and robes.
On the 17th, a ‘Framing Dismantling Show’ inspired by tuna cutting shows will be held, revealing the framing artisan’s work process and imparting related knowledge.
For details, visit the Jongno Cultural Foundation website or contact the Jongno-gu Cultural Planning Team. Admission is free.
A district official said, “Supported by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture and jointly organized by the Jongno Cultural Foundation and the Seoul Metropolitan Autonomous District Cultural Foundation Association, this cultural and artistic specialization project aims to raise awareness of the endangered framing culture through diverse works,” adding, “We hope many people will appreciate the exhibition and take interest in framing culture.”
Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Noh Hyun-song) announced that it will promote the ‘2022 Hope Ondol Warm Winter Project’ for three months until February 14 next year.
The Hope Ondol Warm Winter Project is a fundraising campaign by the district and the Seoul Social Welfare Community Chest to help low-income vulnerable residents have a warm winter.
This year, the district set a fundraising target of 2 billion KRW, 500 million KRW higher than last year, and will actively promote fundraising activities for vulnerable residents.
Especially, to prevent COVID-19 spread in the community, various non-face-to-face fundraising activities will be centered on encouraging donations.
First, the district will produce a ‘2022 Warm Winter Project Declaration Ceremony’ video to widely announce the start of the project to residents.
The video features donation participation encouragement performances by residents from various sectors including children, seniors, disabled persons, small business owners, and entrepreneurs, along with photos and videos related to last year’s project. It will be available on the district website and YouTube channel iGangseoTV from the 25th.
At 20 neighborhood community centers frequently visited by residents, the ‘2022 Donation Sharing Bucket Challenge’ will be held during the project period to continuously extend warm hands to neighbors in need.
The challenge is open to all residents and proceeds as a relay donation where donors recommend and connect to the next donor. QR code-based non-face-to-face fundraising will also continue from last year. QR codes are embedded in donation boxes and promotional posters at community centers for easy participation.
Scanning the QR code with a smartphone connects to the Social Welfare Community Chest donation page, allowing immediate donations via bank transfer or credit card.
The district also runs fundraising projects involving local daycare and kindergarten children collecting coins in ‘Love Piggy Banks’ in cooperation with public and private sectors.
Online promotions through SNS, YouTube, and other channels will be actively conducted to discover new donation resources.
Funds raised will be used to support social welfare facilities and vulnerable neighbors such as basic livelihood security recipients, near-poverty groups, elderly living alone, and disabled households.
Residents wishing to donate can use QR codes or deposit into the dedicated account for cash donations, or visit the Welfare Policy Division or any of the 20 neighborhood community centers to donate goods.
Gangseo-gu Mayor Noh Hyun-song said, “The prolonged COVID-19 situation has made life harder for vulnerable residents,” adding, “We ask for active participation from many residents so that neighbors in need can have a warmer winter.”
The district raised about 2.8 billion KRW in the ‘2021 Warm Winter Project,’ achieving 193% of the target amount (1.5 billion KRW).
Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) will pilot the ‘Kitchen Hood Maintenance Project’ by the end of the year to prevent residential and kitchen fires.
According to the district, 41.6% of fires in Seoul over the past three years occurred in residential facilities, and 63.8% of fatal fires happened in residential areas. In Eunpyeong-gu, winter and residential fires account for 28.2%. Recently, fatal accidents caused by electric heaters and kitchen fires have highlighted the need for fire prevention measures in homes and kitchens.
The ‘Kitchen Hood Maintenance Project’ supports fire prevention in homes and kitchens through fire extinguisher, detector, and kitchen hood replacement. The district planned this project as part of the ‘Residential Fire Safety Equipment Installation Support Project’ launched in March, targeting high-risk areas.
From October to early November, the district received applications from 220 households through the ‘Residential Fire Safety Equipment Installation Support Project.’ Kitchen hoods were pilot-installed in 48 locations with severe aging. The pilot project aims to derive improvement plans for phased support starting next year.
Since 2019, the district has supported 4,748 vulnerable households with powder fire extinguishers (3.3kg), standalone smoke detectors, and aerosol-type simple extinguishers through the ‘Residential Fire Safety Equipment Installation Support Project.’ Next year, the district plans to support a total of 1,050 households, including 50 for kitchen hood maintenance.
Additionally, the district will continue the ‘Safety Inspection and Maintenance Project for Vulnerable Households’ until the end of the year, visiting about 500 vulnerable households such as elderly living alone and disabled persons to inspect and maintain safety facilities.
Eunpyeong-gu Mayor Kim Mi-kyung said, “Residential fires can lead to serious accidents, so prevention and preparation are essential. This pilot project is the first step toward preventing safety accidents in homes,” adding, “We will lead efforts to create a safe and sustainable Eunpyeong-gu through support for residential fire safety equipment and safety inspections of electrical and gas facilities.”
Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) completed the ‘Jungnangcheon Ecological Restoration and Greening Project’ by planting trees and flowers along the Jungnangcheon embankment area (401-2 Seokgwan-dong), a popular spot for residents, to restore the ecology and naturalness of Jungnangcheon and opened it to the public.
To provide diverse attractions for residents and improve ecological restoration and tree growth environment, Seongbuk-gu conducted the ‘2020 Jungnangcheon Basic Plan’ study, collected residents’ opinions in 2021, and invested 300 million KRW of city funds to complete the project in October 2021.
A representative feature is the installation of an observatory on the Jungnangcheon embankment for seasonal ecological observation, allowing residents strolling along the path to rest and appreciate the ecological changes and natural beauty.
From August to November, colorful and beautiful flowers such as crape myrtle and various chrysanthemums blooming in late autumn were planted to provide seasonal atmosphere. The central rose garden was remodeled, offering a picturesque backdrop for couples taking photos in spring and summer, families spending weekends, and seniors exercising daily along the Jungnangcheon trail.
The Jungnangcheon trail offers a restful gift to urban residents weary from busy daily life. Visitors commonly say, “Walking while enjoying beautiful roses and seasonal flowers and wildflowers makes me feel more relaxed.”
Walking along the Jungnangcheon riverside embankment trail is known to have health benefits such as boosting immune function (increased NK cells), reducing stress (lower cortisol hormone, increased alpha waves), alleviating atopic symptoms, and regulating blood pressure.
Seongbuk-gu Mayor Lee Seung-ro said, “I hope residents exhausted by the prolonged COVID-19 regain vitality by enjoying the flowers,” adding, “We will continue to do our best to contribute to the ecological restoration and naturalness recovery of Jungnangcheon.”
Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jung-hoon) has selected 39 additional ‘Open Childcare Centers’ for safe childcare environments, expanding to a total of 63 centers.
‘Open Childcare Centers’ operate as part of measures to eradicate child abuse, allowing parents to access childcare spaces and participate regularly in program operation and space management.
The district selects ‘Open Childcare Centers’ annually through document and on-site evaluations based on five criteria: openness, participation, sustainability, diversity, and local government standards. This year, 39 centers (24 newly selected, 15 reselected) were designated, bringing the total to 63 including the previous 24.
Selected centers receive incentives such as additional points when entrusted with national/public childcare, priority support for assistant teachers, and priority support for teaching materials and equipment. After the one-year designation period, centers meeting detailed criteria may be re-designated.
Gangdong-gu also operates time-based childcare rooms and expands designation of base-type night childcare centers to meet diverse childcare demands and reduce child-rearing burdens, striving to create customized safe childcare environments.
Gangdong-gu Mayor Lee Jung-hoon said, “Open Childcare Centers open opportunities for mutual exchange between parents and centers, creating a trustworthy childcare environment,” adding, “We will continue to expand open childcare centers and create childcare environments where children can be entrusted with confidence.”
Dongjak-gu (Mayor Lee Chang-woo) announced that it is conducting the ‘2021 Alcohol Harm Prevention Month Moderation Campaign’ until the 26th ahead of the year-end and New Year’s period when alcohol-related incidents and accidents increase.
The campaign targets residents interested in moderation and local workers, using a quiz format to raise awareness of alcohol harm and problems and encourage voluntary participation in moderation.
Residents wishing to participate can access the ‘Dongjak-gu Health Center Alcohol Harm Prevention Month Moderation O/X Quiz’ via QR code or URL and answer three simple questions.
Participants will receive correct answers and moderation information via text message, and 150 people will be selected by lottery to receive portable humidifiers.
For more details about the campaign, contact the Health Planning Division.
Health Center Director Mo Hyun-hee said, “Through this campaign, we aim to remind residents of the need for moderation and promote healthy lifestyle habits to establish a proper drinking culture.”
Seoul Gangseo-gu announced on the 17th that Mayor Noh Hyun-song was selected as the recipient of the ‘2021 Welfare District Mayor Award’ hosted by the Seoul Social Workers Association.
The Welfare District Mayor Award is given to outstanding district mayors among the 25 autonomous districts in Seoul who have contributed to the development of community welfare and the improvement of social workers’ status.
Mayor Noh was recognized for his consistent efforts to build a community safety net and eliminate welfare blind spots.
Especially, he received high evaluations for expanding national/public daycare centers, activating community security councils, promoting the Gangseo-type welfare model ‘Gangseo Hope Dream Project,’ and operating and supporting the 50 Plus Center, providing diverse welfare services across the community.
He was also praised for efforts to improve social workers’ status and treatment by enacting ordinances related to social workers’ welfare and providing psychological support for social workers’ mental health checkups.
Mayor Noh Hyun-song said, “This award is a result achieved together with social welfare workers and staff working on the front lines of welfare,” adding, “We will continue to build a dense welfare safety net so community members can live healthier and happier lives.”
Yeongdeungpo-gu Mayor Chae Hyun-il attended the ‘Yeongdeungpo Hope Suragan Supporters Appointment Ceremony’ held at the annex of the district office on the morning of the 17th and took a commemorative photo.
Yeongdeungpo Hope Suragan, operated by the Yeongdeungpo-gu Social Welfare Council, is a welfare project for vulnerable groups that prepares and provides side dishes free of charge to low-income families. The appointed supporters will carry out care activities such as side dish support and health and safety monitoring for the socially marginalized over the next nine months.
Mayor Chae said, “I sincerely thank the volunteers who walk warmly with neighbors in need,” adding, “We will strive to build a more thorough welfare safety net and care system to create a more inclusive and happy Yeongdeungpo where no citizen is left behind.”
Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon) held a ‘Ginseng Kimchi Making Experience Program’ at the Geumcheon Eco-friendly Weekend Farm in 332 Haan-dong, Gwangmyeong City, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the 17th.
The program was conducted for about 70 local elderly living alone who applied in advance. One participant said, “I was worried about how to prepare kimchi for this year’s kimjang, but I’m very happy to hear that Geumcheon-gu offers this experience and kimchi,” adding, “I heard there will be Pumba and trot performances, so I look forward to enjoying a lively time.”
The elderly participants made ginseng kimchi using cabbage and radish grown at the Geumcheon eco-friendly urban farm and ginseng cultivated at the Geumcheon Smart Farm. They also enjoyed performances by Pumba and trot singers.
Geumcheon-gu Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon said, “I hope the ginseng kimchi making experience provided a joyful time for elderly people whose outdoor activities have decreased due to COVID-19,” adding, “We will continue to operate various programs to share agricultural products grown at the weekend farm and urban garden with elderly living alone.”
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