Seongdong-gu Distributes Self-Test Kits to Elementary Students During Graduation and Admission Season

[Seoul District News] Seongdong-gu: On the 10th-11th, elementary students residing in the district can receive 2 self-test kits per student at their local community service center... Dongjak-gu: Integrity education for new public officials starting their careers... Songpa-gu: Recruiting new members for the 2022 Child and Youth Participation Committee Pureunsol

Self-test kits allow convenient infection testing at home before graduation (completion) and admission (start of school).

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) will distribute COVID-19 self-test kits (hereinafter referred to as ‘self-test kits’) to all elementary school students in the district over two days from the 10th to the 11th.

In response to the nationwide surge in confirmed cases due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant and the occurrence of official school events such as graduation ceremonies, the district decided to immediately distribute self-test kits to elementary school students.

Although masks and safety supply bags have already been provided to elementary schools and a coordinated health system with schools has been established and implemented to conduct immediate quarantine measures when confirmed cases occur, Seongdong-gu plans to enable households to proactively and quickly determine infection status through the support of self-test kits, given the rapid spread of Omicron.

In particular, by supplying self-test kits, which are currently in short supply on site, the district aims to safely conduct once-in-a-lifetime events such as graduation and entrance ceremonies that will remain precious memories for students, while making every effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the community.

To this end, Seongdong-gu has swiftly secured about 25,000 self-test kits and will distribute them to approximately 11,000 elementary school students from grades 1 to 6 (born between 2009 and 2014) in the district.

Household heads or members of households with elementary school students residing in Seongdong-gu can visit their local community service center to apply in person and receive two self-test kits per student.

Parents of elementary school students are also expressing gratitude and welcoming the initiative. A parent named Nam ○○ living in Geumho-dong said, “Last weekend, my child was coughing, so I went around pharmacies trying to buy a self-test kit to check for COVID-19 infection,” adding, “Now, with big events like school graduation ceremonies, we can test in advance and participate safely.”

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, emphasized, “The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has brought the district and residents closer together,” and said, “We will do our best to focus on and resolve the needs of residents in a timely and appropriate manner for COVID-19 prevention.”

Dongjak-gu (Mayor Lee Chang-woo) announced that on the 7th, it held the ‘2022 Integrity and Proactive Administration Training’ for new public officials at the 5th-floor auditorium of Dongjak-gu Office.

This training was divided into two parts: Part 1 proactive administration training and Part 2 integrity education, to help new public officials who are taking their first steps in public service work actively and start their careers with integrity.

Due to COVID-19 social distancing measures, only 49 new employees with less than one year of appointment attended in person, while other interested employees watched the lecture on TV in their offices.

Part 1 focused on examples of regulatory reforms that addressed inconveniences or irrationalities from the residents’ perspective and examples of SNS promotional initiatives, encouraging new public officials to engage proactively in their public service careers.

Part 2 covered understanding anti-corruption laws such as the Public Officials’ Code of Conduct and the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act, as well as education on understanding power harassment arising from generational perception differences and prevention of workplace bullying, aiming to foster a culture of integrity within the organization.

Lee Chang-woo, Mayor of Dongjak-gu, said, “I hope this training will serve as an opportunity for new employees to start their public service careers with integrity and a proactive attitude,” and added, “We will lead the spread of an active and transparent public service culture by promoting tailored anti-corruption integrity education and proactive administration talk concerts.”

Additionally, last year the district received simultaneous commendations from the Board of Audit and Inspection for being the only local government nationwide to win both the ‘Self-Audit Activity Review’ and ‘Self-Audit Contest’ awards, and achieved a 2nd grade (the highest grade among autonomous districts) for three consecutive years in the ‘Public Institution Integrity Evaluation,’ establishing itself as an excellent integrity institution.

For 2022, the district has established a comprehensive plan for integrity policies, including building an operational foundation for the conflict of interest prevention system following the enforcement of the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act, and operating a mobile anonymous reporting channel for reporting corruption and irregularities by public officials, promoting various integrity policies through participation and communication.

Furthermore, to realize a public service culture that does not settle for the status quo but strives to resolve residents’ inconveniences, the district plans to implement a proactive administration resident application system, hold proactive administration boom-up performances and talk concerts, and select outstanding public officials who have worked hard on site.

Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Sung-soo) is recruiting the 10th term members of the ‘Pureunsol’ Child and Youth Participation Committee until March 11.

Songpa-gu is a ‘Child-Friendly City’ certified by UNICEF in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In 2021, it was ranked 4th nationwide among 243 local governments and 2nd among Seoul’s autonomous districts for advanced certification.

‘Pureunsol’ was established to guarantee the right to participation and expand autonomy rights as specified in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Members engage in activities such as monitoring youth policies in Songpa-gu and planning youth events. Official activities are recognized as volunteer hours, and outstanding members receive a commendation from the district mayor.

Any child or youth aged 9 to 24 residing in Songpa-gu or attending elementary, middle, or high school in the district can apply. Out-of-school youth are also eligible. The recruitment target is about 60 members.

To apply, download the form from the Songpa Youth Center website, fill it out, and send it to the person in charge via email (spyouth1318@hanmail.net), or directly fill out the form through the provided Naver form link.

Selection will be based on activity plans, willingness to participate, and proactiveness. Results will be announced on March 14 on the Songpa Youth Center website and via individual contact. The appointment ceremony is scheduled for April 9.

Mayor Park Sung-soo said, “I hope this will be a great opportunity for children and youth to propose policies that truly meet their needs and learn the value of democracy,” adding, “We will work harder to make Songpa-gu a happy city for children and youth, who are the future of the district.”