[Seoul District News] Gwanak-gu's Systematic Response Mobilizing All District Capabilities from Quarantine to Medical Care and Disaster Support... Nowon-gu Operates the Only Safe Accommodation for Families of Self-Quarantined Individuals in Seoul Districts... Seocho-gu's 'Seoripul Wondumak' Appears as Seoripul Tree Lighting Winter Night Streets... Seongdong-gu Newly Designates and Expands Two Child Protection Zones: Haengdang-dong Eunhaeng Daycare 256m and Geumho Elementary 196m... Dongjak-gu Rebirth of Heukseok-ro in Front of Chung-Ang University as Pedestrian-Centered Environment
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) has published the Gwanak-gu COVID-19 White Paper titled 'We Are All Heroes,' documenting the district's efforts to overcome the COVID-19 crisis over two years.
While local governments have previously published COVID-19 white papers, this is the first to comprehensively cover the entire two-year period from early 2020, when the first confirmed case occurred, through November 2021, when preparations for phased daily recovery (With COVID-19) began.
The white paper is organized into four chapters: ▲Overview and response system of COVID-19 ▲Detailed COVID-19 response log ▲Specific COVID-19 countermeasures ▲Vivid stories of heroes who fought COVID-19 together, thoroughly recording the district's response efforts in detail and comprehensively.
Specifically, it describes medical measures divided into screening clinics, residential treatment centers, vaccination, and home treatment; quarantine measures such as inspection and promotion of prevention guidelines; comprehensive support for the livelihood economy; various livelihood subsidies; support for vulnerable groups and emergency welfare; and job creation disaster support measures in a timeline format.
Since the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak, the district has organized a function-based Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, holding daily situation and countermeasure meetings without fail to meticulously monitor local quarantine status and confirmed case management.
When confirmed cases occur, all administrative resources are mobilized to conduct rapid screening tests for contacts, on-site disinfection and visits, CCTV analysis, epidemiological investigator inquiries, classification and management of self-quarantined individuals, and other proactive responses to prevent secondary and tertiary infections.
Additionally, regular disinfection is conducted at residents' living sites such as parks, traditional markets, and bus stops. Thorough inspections and crackdowns on multi-use and high-risk facilities are carried out to establish a daily life-centered quarantine system.
This leading quarantine system and infrastructure of the district have received international recognition, being featured as a success case by global broadcasters such as the British public broadcaster BBC and France's ARTE.
The newly published white paper is expected to serve as a reliable guide in unforeseen disaster situations by systematically encompassing the administrative system that mobilized all district capabilities.
The district plans to distribute the white paper to local governments nationwide and related organizations and post it on the district website to widely promote Gwanak-gu's proactive COVID-19 response model.
Mayor Park Jun-hee of Gwanak-gu said, “I am very pleased to compile our efforts through the publication of the COVID-19 white paper, which can be a valuable asset in the event of similar disasters in the future. However, since the COVID-19 situation remains severe, we will continue to do our utmost until the day COVID-19 is eradicated based on our past efforts.”
Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it will operate safe accommodations for COVID-19 home treatment patients and their families.
On the 29th of last month, the government announced special quarantine measures prioritizing home treatment to resolve the shortage of hospital beds caused by a surge in confirmed and critically ill patients.
However, most confirmed patients do not prefer home treatment. The main reasons are that co-isolation makes it impossible for cohabitants to carry on daily life, and the risk of secondary infection among family members is high. According to current guidelines, home treatment patients must isolate at home for at least 10 days, and cohabitants must also quarantine for the same period; if not fully vaccinated, an additional 10 days of quarantine is required.
To alleviate these inconveniences, the district decided to expand the existing 'Safe Accommodation for Self-Quarantined Families' to include families of home treatment patients who have completed vaccination. While many safe accommodations exist for self-quarantined individuals or their families, Nowon-gu is the only Seoul district providing accommodations for families of home treatment patients.
The eligible users are passive and active monitoring targets who have been in contact with confirmed cases but have completed vaccination.
Users of the safe accommodation only pay 20,000 KRW per day. The district and the hotel each cover 30% (29,500 KRW) and 50% (49,500 KRW) respectively of the daily accommodation fee of 99,000 KRW to support users.
Furthermore, procedures have been greatly simplified so users can quickly enter the safe accommodation. Users only need to present a health center notification text and PCR test results confirming eligibility, without additional document submission.
Residents wishing to use the service can apply following guidance during monitoring of home treatment patients and self-quarantined individuals conducted by the Nowon-gu Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.
Meanwhile, since April 2020, the district has operated 'Nowon Safe Accommodation' through agreements with local hotels to prevent family infections during self-quarantine. From last year to this year, 454 people have used 411 rooms, receiving strong positive feedback.
The district expects that expanding safe accommodations will not only eliminate inconveniences for home treatment patients and their families but also significantly reduce the risk of family infections and community transmission.
Mayor Oh Seung-rok of Nowon-gu said, “We are preparing various support measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 community infections and accelerate daily recovery. We ask residents to strictly follow personal quarantine rules and actively use the district's support policies.”
Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol) recently conducted a snow removal drill to respond systematically and swiftly to snow removal situations.
The drill was conducted in a disaster scenario setting, including on-site training linked with the snow removal site management system, inspection of snow removal equipment operation status, and checking snow removal work routes, all tailored to actual conditions.
The drill began by activating the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters situation room according to the snowfall weather forecast. After a situation assessment meeting, an emergency level was declared, and decisions were made on deploying Dong residents' center staff and private contractors' equipment and personnel. Pre-inspections of snow removal equipment and materials were also conducted.
Additionally, the drill set a snowfall start time and pre-announced the second-stage emergency snow removal duty. Snow removal vehicles were deployed on main roads, major side streets, and back alleys of each neighborhood, with lead vehicles, loading of snow removal agents, and placement of sidewalk snow removal machines in charge areas, conducting snow removal operations passing through temporary forward bases as in real situations.
The Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters expanded the number of GPS-equipped snow removal vehicles to 28 to monitor their operation and driving status. The entire district's CCTV is monitored in real time to strengthen snow removal response capabilities.
Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol of Dongdaemun-gu said, “The most important thing in snow removal situations is swift and practical snow removal work. We will thoroughly prepare to protect residents' safety and minimize traffic inconvenience by responding quickly even in sudden heavy snowfall through efficient snow removal operations.”
Dongdaemun-gu is strengthening proactive response capabilities by issuing flexible emergency levels tailored to Dongdaemun-gu's weather conditions, departing from Seoul's emergency level standards. Starting this year, it plans to conduct rapid and continuous snow removal operations by deploying 25-ton crane trucks and 25-ton cargo trucks with excavators.
Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jung-hoon) newly opened the Cheonho Health Center Branch on the 30th of last month.
This is the second public medical infrastructure expansion for residents living far from health centers, following the opening of the Gangil Health Center Branch in Gangil-dong in 2018.
The 'Cheonho Health Center Branch' is located on the first floor of the Cheonho Aureum Center (297-5 Gucheonmyeon-ro).
The 'Cheonho Aureum Center,' which held its opening ceremony last month amid high expectations, is a complex facility for health, welfare, and culture aimed at enhancing residents' welfare and reducing health disparities. The Cheonho Health Center Branch, as the core space of this facility, plans to provide high-quality health services to local residents.
To this end, the facility includes ▲a 'Health Management Center' offering metabolic syndrome and chronic disease prevention and management services for residents aged 20 and over ▲a 'Rehabilitation Health Center' improving the health status and management ability of residents with disabilities ▲a 'Mental Health Welfare Center' providing various mental health services such as psychological counseling and mental health assessments.
Of course, all examinations and counseling services provided at the Cheonho Health Center Branch are free of charge, and participants are recruited by prior reservation in compliance with quarantine guidelines.
Moreover, by performing health center projects that had been suspended due to COVID-19 at the health center branch, it is expected to provide health service benefits that were lacking for local residents and marginalized groups.
Mayor Lee Jung-hoon of Gangdong-gu said, “Through a one-month pilot operation in December, the facility will be reborn as a community-tailored facility reflecting the services most needed by local residents and the characteristics of main users. We ask residents to actively use the Cheonho Health Center Branch to overcome COVID-19 and live healthy lives.”
The 'Seoripul Wondumak,' which provided cool shade in front of crosswalks last summer and received great public response, will surprise everyone by transforming into the 'Seoripul Tree,' brightly illuminating the city's winter nights.
Seocho-gu announced that it will produce 50 Seoripul Wondumak in areas such as Gangnam Station, Yangjae Station, and Yangjaecheon as 'Seoripul Trees' and begin full operation from the 6th.
Since 2017, the Seoripul Tree has been created annually with different designs, warming the hearts of passersby. This year's design features a green circular wreath adorned with red and gold beads and a lush ribbon, creating a Christmas atmosphere at year-end and conveying the meaning of Christmas that encourages passersby to think of neighbors in need.
The tree operates automatically from sunset via sensors and will be in operation until the end of February next year. The other 162 Seoripul Wondumak will be safely stored during winter with protective covers designed exclusively by Seocho-gu.
The 'Seoripul Wondumak,' first installed nationwide by the district and established as a standard model, has been internationally recognized by winning European eco-friendly awards such as the Green Apple Awards and Green World Awards. Additionally, the 'Seoripul Tree' was introduced in the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's 'Guidelines for Installation and Management of Shade Structures' as a case of utilizing shade structures for scenic facilities, earning Seocho-gu domestic and international recognition as an eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing city.
Park Pan-seo, Director of the Safety City Division, said, “We hope the warm lights of the Seoripul Tree this winter will offer warmth and memories, becoming a source of comfort for residents who see it.”
Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) held the '2021 Eunpyeong-gu Community Social Security Council Performance Report and Workshop' (hereafter Workshop) on the 1st.
The workshop, held at the Eunpyeong Senior Welfare Center, expanded this year's event to include both the Dong (neighborhood) council performance report, held annually since 2016, and the district council performance report. It contributed to communication between the Dong and district councils and shared the councils' achievements and activities over the year to promote council activation and improve public-private relations.
About 70 people, including members of the Eunpyeong-gu Community Social Security Council and social security-related agency staff, attended the event.
The event proceeded with ▲pre-event performance ▲Part 1 ceremony ▲Part 2 performance report. The pre-event performance opened with a splendid male opera duet by 'La Classe.' Part 1 featured an award ceremony honoring about 20 individuals who contributed to council activation. Part 2 shared monitoring results of the 2021 annual implementation plan, a kickoff report on the 5th community social security survey, and a video of the council's one-year activities, fostering meaningful communication between district and neighborhood councils.
The council activity video showcased endless volunteer activities such as preparing birthday tables for elderly living alone, delivering side dishes to vulnerable groups, and supporting healthy activities for seniors and children.
Mayor Kim Mi-kyung of Eunpyeong-gu said, “I sincerely thank the council members who worked hard for neighbors in need throughout the year. The council's activities warm hearts where sharing is lacking in the community. We ask for continued good work.”
Gangnam-gu (Mayor Jung Soon-gyun)'s Gangnam-gu International Education Center will operate online English special lectures for elementary and university students via the video conferencing platform 'ZOOM' during the winter vacation next month.
The winter English camp for elementary students in grades 2 to 6 will be held for three weeks from the 3rd to the 21st of next month. Participants will be recruited until the 14th. Native English instructors will conduct three courses: STEAM Project (3 classes), Pop Song Class (2 classes), and Fast Phonics (1 class).
The 'Global Talk' for university students and prospective examinees is a class discussing global politics, economy, and culture with native English instructors. Applications are accepted until the 29th, and classes run every Friday from January 7 to February 25.
Applications can be made through the International Education Center's website. For details, contact the center.
Joo Myung-ae, Director of Education Support Division, said, “Gangnam-gu boasts excellent content and infrastructure as Korea's top education district. We operate English programs such as the 'GNY Project' for youth, 'Live Class' for adults, and 'Future Readers Program' for elementary students.”
Jung-gu, Seoul (Mayor Seo Yang-ho) announced support for Dongdaemun merchants' online market entry through the Dongdaemun winter fashion promotion event 'Sell Dongdaemun.'
The event, held from November 15 to December 3, consisted of 'SNS Competition' promoting Dongdaemun wholesale products via social media and 'Live Broadcast Competition' selling products through live streaming. A total of 25 wholesale companies participated, displaying 150 product styles in the showroom at Dongdaemun Buyer Lounge.
In the 'SNS Competition,' influencers freely coordinated products displayed in the showroom and posted them on SNS. The two influencers with the most 'likes' were awarded. Out of 38 applicants, 29 were selected. The 'Live Broadcast Competition' involved live streaming products displayed in the showroom or Dongdaemun wholesale products simultaneously, selecting the top three sellers. Applications were accepted from influencers with Naver Shopping live broadcast channels; five of seven applicants participated. The awards ceremony will be held mid-December at Dongdaemun Buyer Lounge.
Dongdaemun Buyer Lounge, operated by Jung-gu, is a multipurpose fashion community space supporting connections between Dongdaemun wholesale merchants and domestic and international buyers, providing equipment and space rental for live commerce production and product photography.
The district supported portfolio production for 120 product styles from participating companies. Professional foreign models were hired for coordinated product photography, and portfolios are being produced. The photos are also uploaded to Japanese commerce platforms and Naver Store to expand sales channels.
During the event, Chinese TikTok broadcaster C Jehohwang (real name Lan Haihong), an influencer with 1.8 million fans and 250 billion KRW in live broadcast sales this year, visited the Buyer Lounge. C Jehohwang said, “Following this visit, after reviewing Dongdaemun fashion products and broadcasting environment, I plan to start full-scale Korean fashion broadcasts from next year.”
Mayor Seo Yang-ho said, “Through SNS and live broadcast events like this, we will continuously support Dongdaemun merchants to quickly adapt to the changing distribution environment.”
Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) will hold a book concert on the 15th from 3 to 5 p.m. at the 6th-floor auditorium of the district office, inviting Professor Kim Sang-wook from Kyung Hee University's Department of Physics.
The event will be broadcast live on Seodaemun-gu Office's YouTube channel, with 30 participants allowed on-site.
Professor Kim Sang-wook is active in writing, lecturing, and broadcasting to help the general public easily understand physics.
At the book concert, Professor Kim will lecture on the theme 'Reading Our Lives Through Physics,' focusing on topics covered in his book 'Trembling and Resonance.' There will also be a Q&A session with the audience.
Before and after the lecture, classical and popera performances will enrich the book concert.
Mayor Moon Seok-jin of Seodaemun-gu said, “We expect many people to show interest and participate in this event that enhances understanding of physics.”
Anyone can listen to the lecture online, and those wishing to participate on-site (first-come, first-served) can apply by referring to the notice on Seodaemun-gu's website (search 'book concert').
A section of approximately 256 meters on Gosanjaro 202~ Wangsimni-ro 275 road near Seongdong-gu Public Eunhaeng Children's Center has been newly designated as a school zone.
Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) has newly designated two major roads frequently used by children as school zones. With this designation, vehicle speeds will be limited to 30 km/h, and illegal parking will be completely prohibited in these areas.
The designated locations are roads around the Gu-rip Eunhaeng Daycare Center (Gosanja-ro 10-gil) and Kumho Elementary School (Musumak 18-gil, Kumho-ro 13-gil). Last month, the district completed installation of traffic safety facilities such as traffic safety signs indicating school zones, speed limit road markings, and anti-slip pavement.
The newly designated area around Gu-rip Eunhaeng Daycare Center is a place with facilities like children's parks and academies, frequented by children, but had high accident risk due to heavy traffic and frequent illegal parking caused by nearby stores.
The area around Kumho Elementary School also had side roads not included in existing school zones, with ongoing demands for expansion of school zone designation.
To address these issues, the district conducted field surveys and actively collected residents' opinions, newly designating about 256 meters of road between Gosanja-ro 202 and Wangsimni-ro 275 around Gu-rip Eunhaeng Daycare Center as a school zone.
For Kumho Elementary School, two sections were expanded as school zones: about 86 meters from Musumak 18-gil 1 to 14 and about 110 meters from Kumhosan-gil 53 to Kumho-dong 2-ga 496, generally limiting vehicle speeds.
School zones are designated under the Road Traffic Act to protect children from traffic accident risks by designating certain road sections near facilities frequently used by children such as elementary schools, kindergartens, and daycare centers. Currently, Seongdong-gu has 50 such school zones including those designated this year.
Last month, the district quickly completed line removal work on roadside parking lots within school zones after two years. The district has been proactively improving traffic safety facilities such as installing yellow carpets at all elementary schools, replacing solar LED signs, and maintaining safety fences, as well as leading projects like walking school buses and traffic safety guardians to ensure safe school routes, aiming for zero traffic accidents in school zones.
Mayor Jung Won-oh of Seongdong-gu said, “The additional school zone designations are expected to create a safer environment for children to commute to school. We will continue to prioritize children's safety and do our best to make Seongdong a safe place where children can walk freely.”
Dongjak-gu (Mayor Lee Chang-woo) announced on the 6th that it has completed the 'Heukseok-ro Startup Culture Street Creation Project,' a detailed implementation plan for regional coexistence under the Chung-Ang University Campus Town project, earlier this month.
This project was promoted to transform the vehicle-centered, complex street environment around Chung-Ang University in Heukseok-dong, which threatened pedestrian safety, into a 'people-centered' environment, creating a pedestrian-friendly space for residents and students.
The road maintenance sections are ▲Heukseok-ro Sections 1 and 2 (from the crosswalk in front of Chung-Ang University Hospital to the main gate of Chung-Ang University), 430 meters ▲Heukseok-ro 10-gil (main school route for Chung-Ang University Elementary School students), 140 meters, with construction starting in July.
First, in Heukseok-ro Section 1 (crosswalk in front of Chung-Ang University Hospital to Chung-Ang University middle gate), which has high foot traffic, the project expanded narrow sidewalks and applied anti-slip pavement on the road to prevent traffic accidents caused by speeding.
In Heukseok-ro Section 2 (in front of Chung-Ang University main gate), used by local residents and students, the road environment was made pedestrian-centered by reducing road width, expanding sidewalks, and introducing vehicle speed reduction techniques.
Additionally, Heukseok-ro 10-gil, the main school route for nearby elementary students, was improved with anti-slip pavement and refurbishment of old flower beds that impaired the environment to ensure a safe school route.
Baek Won-gi, Director of the Road Management Division, said, “Through this project, we improved the road environment that had long threatened pedestrian safety for residents and students, creating a space where they can walk safely.”
Meanwhile, the district has invested a total of 10 billion KRW over four years since 2019 in the Chung-Ang University Campus Town project, promoting various detailed projects such as creating youth startup spaces and fostering young entrepreneurs by linking the university and local community.
Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Chae Hyun-il) will hold the '2021 Yeongdeungpo-gu Job Fair' at Yeongdeungpo Art Hall on December 7 to provide quality jobs to job seekers suffering from prolonged economic recession and to resolve recruitment difficulties of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Co-hosted with the Yeongdeungpo Women's Human Resources Development Center, this fair aims to facilitate smooth recruitment for local SMEs facing labor shortages and to offer employment opportunities to the rapidly increasing middle-aged and senior job seekers in their 40s and 50s, as well as women.
A total of 22 companies, including Coupang Fulfillment Service, Asung Daiso, and Toyoko Inn Seoul Yeongdeungpo, will participate to provide about 400 jobs through one-on-one on-site interviews and real-time video interviews.
Additional events such as resume photo shoots, employment tarot counseling, and AI interview experiences will be held, and an employment support booth providing the latest recruitment information in Yeongdeungpo-gu will operate.
To minimize contact among participants, the fair will be divided into two sessions at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., limiting attendance to 60 people per session to avoid crowding inside the venue.
Pre-registered applicants through the Job Plus Center and Women's Human Resources Development Center will be given priority entry at their designated times, and on-site applicants will be admitted sequentially within the allowed capacity based on attendance.
The district will also thoroughly comply with quarantine guidelines by regularly disinfecting the venue before, during, and after the event, conducting temperature checks, and providing hand sanitizers.
For detailed information about the operation and participation in the job fair, contact the Yeongdeungpo Job Plus Center or Yeongdeungpo Women's Human Resources Development Center.
After the fair, the district will continue to provide job placement and counseling services for unemployed individuals and recruiting companies, ensuring follow-up management and employment linkage support.
Additionally, an AI interview experience space offering job competency tests, aptitude analysis, and comprehensive feedback based on artificial intelligence will be operated regularly for anyone seeking employment. The district plans to provide more diverse and up-to-date employment information through SNS and its website.
Mayor Chae Hyun-il of Yeongdeungpo-gu said, “We hope this job fair will revitalize the employment market weakened by COVID-19 and help the local economy thrive. We will continue to prepare employment support measures and resolve labor shortages so that excellent middle-aged and female workers can fully demonstrate their capabilities in their desired fields.”
"Learn 'Mom's Country' through books made by moms!"
Guro-gu (Mayor Lee Sung) has published 'Bilingual Picture Books.'
Guro-gu stated on the 6th, “Multicultural families often face difficulties in children's education due to language barriers. To address this, we produced and distributed bilingual picture books so that children from multicultural families can easily and enjoyably experience the languages and cultures of both countries.”
'Bilingual Picture Books' are storybooks featuring foreign folktales with both the original language and Korean translation side by side.
To produce these bilingual picture books, Guro-gu operated a resident writer training course from April to September for marriage immigrants and native residents.
Over six months, residents from both groups learned story composition, illustration, and translation, forming teams by nationality to create the picture books themselves.
The produced bilingual picture books include four types: ▲The Wolf and the Shrimp (Cambodian) ▲Star Apple Tree (Vietnamese) ▲The Three Carp Brothers (Chinese) ▲The Way to the Library (English, original story), containing folktales from each country. A total of 12,000 copies (3,000 each) were published and distributed to local kindergartens, elementary schools, and libraries.
Guro-gu also created e-books and video books of the bilingual picture books for universal access. The e-books are available at the Guro Integrated Library 'Lighthouse of Wisdom' (lib.guro.go.kr), and video books can be viewed on Guro-gu Office's Multicultural Policy Division YouTube channel 'Guguda.'
On the 14th, a publication commemorative event will be held at the 2nd-floor auditorium of the Guro-gu Healthy Family Multicultural Family Support Center. The event will include viewing the production process video, congratulatory remarks, and an appreciation award ceremony.
A Guro-gu official said, “This project was promoted to provide opportunities for native and marriage immigrant residents to interact and mingle. We will continue efforts to build a 'multicultural city' where all residents coexist.”
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