[Seoul District News] Mapo-gu Starts Operation from the 12th, 4-Hour Tour Course with Tourist Guide at Mapo Attractions · Daytime Courses at 9 AM and 2 PM Twice Daily · Night Course Every Saturday at 7 PM... Jungnang-gu Launches Seoul's First Infant Family Play Support and Value Growth Project... Dongjak-gu Addresses Solo Parenting Concerns with Moms Heart Cafe and Other Childcare Policies... Guro-gu Recruits Parents Monitoring Group for Daycare Centers... Jongno-gu Operates Women's Soccer Team and Children's Soccer Classes... Yongsan-gu Recruits 383 Dream Tree Scholarship Students 1
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] “As Professor Yu Hong-jun said about artworks, ‘You see as much as you know,’ the same applies to travel. Even familiar tourist spots feel new when explored with a professional guide.”
Mapo-gu (Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) announced that it will operate a new tourism project called ‘Mapo City Tour’ starting from the 12th, in preparation for the post-COVID-19 endemic era.
The Mapo City Tour is a themed tourism product where visitors tour Mapo’s representative tourist sites with a tour guide. It operates two courses: the daytime course ‘Inside Mapo’ and the nighttime course ‘夜Night Tour.’
The daytime course runs twice daily at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday. The route covers ‘Sky Park ~ Culture Depot ~ Korean Film Museum ~ Mangwon Market ~ Seoul Battleship Park ~ Gongdeok Market’ and lasts about four hours.
The tour starts at Exit 4 of Hongdae Entrance Station and heads to Sky Park, about 20 minutes away. There’s no dull moment even on the tour bus. The tour guide vividly conveys the lively atmosphere of Hongdae, a young people’s hotspot, and passengers watch a 7-minute 17-second ‘Tourism Promotion Video’ produced by Mapo-gu, making the journey fly by until arrival.
The daytime course fee for the Mapo City Tour is 10,000 KRW, which includes transportation, guide fees, and admission fees to tourist sites, allowing visitors to enjoy the tour without financial burden. When ascending Sky Park, visitors use the ‘Maengkkongi Electric Car’ to leisurely enjoy the surrounding scenery.
At the summit of Sky Park, visitors enjoy the view and hear explanations about the observatory’s origin, then move to the Culture Depot, a space transformed from an oil storage facility into a cultural venue. Depending on the schedule, visitors may also attend exhibitions or performances.
Next, the tour visits the Korean Film Museum operated by the Korean Film Archive, where visitors can learn about the history of Korean cinema and see props used in hit movies, accompanied by the guide’s explanations. At ‘Star Park’ located in front of the museum’s main entrance, visitors can experience touching handprints of movie stars and singers.
No trip is complete without food. The tour moves to Mangwon Market, where visitors have 30 minutes to freely explore and taste dishes from popular eateries featured on TV programs, such as fried chicken, croquettes, and handmade knife-cut noodles.
Next, visitors enter the interior of the Seoul Battleship, a 1,900-ton ship that successfully served at sea for 30 years before decommissioning. Preserved in its original form, visitors can experience actual naval living spaces such as bedrooms, stores, dining rooms, and the bridge, making it a popular tourist spot for children.
The tour concludes at Gongdeok Market, famous for its jokbal (pig’s feet) alley and jeon (Korean pancake) alley, with drop-off available at Hongdae Entrance, the starting point of the tour.
The nighttime course covers ‘Hongdae Entrance ? Sky Park - Seoul Battleship Park ? Gyeongui Line Forest Trail ? Gongdeok Market,’ allowing visitors to enjoy night views for 5,000 KRW over 2 hours and 30 minutes. As part of the night tour, there is also time to enjoy busking while sitting on the lawn at Seoul Battleship Park.
Tourists wishing to use the service can make reservations via the Mapo City Tour website or by phone, and tickets can also be purchased on-site at the Mapo Tourism Information Center (145-3 Eoulmadang-ro, Hongdae).
Meanwhile, in May, the month of family, the district will organize ‘Family City Tours’ every Saturday, offering various attractions such as magic shows and experiential programs. On the last Saturday of each month, ‘Culture Bus’ will provide diverse performances including jazz and performances.
The Mapo City Tour bus will operate until September 30 this year, with breaks during the Chuseok holiday (September 9?12), Labor Day (May 1), and Mondays.
A district official said, “We hope the Mapo City Tour will serve as a catalyst for promoting tourism in Mapo. We have designed a rich travel course at an affordable price, so we ask families and acquaintances to make good use of it.”
Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) is launching play support and value-building projects for young children, the first among Seoul’s autonomous districts, to help healthy growth and development of local infants and toddlers and to create a stable parenting environment.
The play support project for vulnerable young children’s families is a collaborative effort between local childcare leaders and visiting welfare planners from community centers. Through monthly visits, they provide play kits including toys, books, and supplies suitable for the child’s developmental stage, along with parenting counseling and information on childcare-related services. Upon request, families can also be connected to parent education and parenting coaching at comprehensive childcare support centers.
In response to increased home childcare time due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the district plans to continuously monitor vulnerable families with young children and provide tailored childcare services to cover potential blind spots and offer a high-quality parenting environment.
The value-building project (early childhood development support) offers multifaceted support for young children showing developmental delays or behavioral issues. A cooperative support system is established among comprehensive childcare support centers, daycare centers, families, and treatment centers, providing counseling therapy and parenting coaching to families and professional training to childcare teachers.
The district expects that families previously unable to access costly counseling therapy services due to circumstances will now be able to receive systematic and professional counseling services through this project.
Detailed information about the play support and value-building projects for vulnerable young children’s families is available on the Jungnang-gu Childcare Comprehensive Support Center website.
Jungnang-gu Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi said, “Through these childcare service projects, we will create a safe childcare environment for families in crisis and vulnerable situations. We will continue to do our best to realize demand-centered, customized childcare services.”
A (34, residing in Shindaebang-dong), a parent of a 6-year-old child, starts each day wondering, “What should I do with my child today?” Due to the spread of COVID-19, safe spaces to use are scarce, and the child quickly tires of new toys, making daily research into different play methods essential.
Dongjak-gu (Mayor Lee Chang-woo) is expanding services so that its childcare policies reach homes as well as daycare centers, considering the increased burden of home childcare due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.
The flagship project is the public indoor playground ‘Mom’s Heart Cafe.’ With the opening of the second branch in Heukseok-dong on March 2, the number of Mom’s Heart Cafes in Dongjak-gu has increased to 10.
Each facility offers themed play spaces such as water play (Heukseok-dong 2nd branch), block and role play (Sangdo 4-dong), and media play (Sangdo 2-dong). With various play equipment that fosters creativity and spacious, comfortable indoor environments, all-day reservations were fully booked through the end of April, showing strong public response. The district plans to gradually increase the number of users as COVID-19 conditions allow, from the currently reduced operation.
In July, the district will remodel a public daycare center to open a 192㎡ facility in Sangdo 3-dong, featuring spaces that stimulate young children’s five senses, including a cloud bridge utilizing high ceilings, a challenge course, and media play.
Additionally, non-face-to-face educational content is provided for parents who want to enjoy play at home. The online program ‘Dad’s Play School’ uses ZOOM to offer parent education that encourages proper interaction with children and experiential programs using play kits.
The education is free, and applications can be made through the Dongjak-gu Childcare Comprehensive Support Center website in May.
Also, pre-school children who are direct family members of Dongjak-gu residents (or workers in the district) can use the toy library by paying an annual fee of 10,000 KRW.
At ‘Roya Toy Library’ located in Sangdo 2-dong, 461 types and 871 toys are available for rental, and through the ‘Visiting Mobile Toy Library Toyzle,’ toys can be borrowed at designated locations in each neighborhood by reservation.
For detailed usage information, contact the Dongjak-gu Childcare Comprehensive Support Center.
Dongjak-gu Mayor Lee Chang-woo said, “Childcare is not just an individual or family issue but a policy area that society must address together. We will create a happy city for both children and parents by continuously developing childcare policies to reduce the burden of parenting.”
Guro-gu (Mayor Lee Sung) is launching a Parent Monitoring Group project for daycare center operations.
On the 11th, Guro-gu announced, “To improve the quality of childcare environments, we are recruiting a Parent Monitoring Group composed of parents and childcare experts who will directly visit daycare centers to monitor operations.”
The group will consist of 10 members: 5 parents and 5 childcare and health experts, active from May to December.
Eligibility for parents requires currently residing in Guro-gu and having a child attending a daycare center. Childcare experts must meet one or more of the following: hold a Level 1 childcare teacher certificate with at least 3 years of field experience; have at least 1 year of experience as a former comprehensive childcare support center specialist or consultant; or be a full-time university lecturer or higher in early childhood education-related fields. Health experts must have at least 3 years of experience as a nutritionist (including clinical nutritionists), nurse, or doctor (including oriental medicine and dentistry), or be a full-time university lecturer or higher in health-related fields.
The Parent Monitoring Group will visit local daycare centers in pairs (one parent and one expert) to inspect 15 indicators across four areas: health, safety, meals, and hygiene. They will provide on-site consulting and propose policies from the user’s perspective. Monitoring results will be notified to the daycare center’s operation committee and the children’s parents.
Applications must be submitted with required documents by mail, in person (3rd floor, Guro-gu Childcare Comprehensive Support Center, 203 Gamasan-ro, Guro-gu), or email between the 11th and 15th. For details, refer to the Guro-gu Office website or contact the Childcare Comprehensive Support Center.
A Guro-gu official said, “We expect this project to contribute to improving childcare services and will do our best to create a safe and healthy childcare environment.”
Jongno-gu has prepared a special program for women and children/youth who love soccer. To promote community sports and residents’ health, the district operates a women’s soccer team and will run soccer and futsal classes starting in May.
First, the district is accepting applications for the ‘Jongno-gu Women’s Soccer Team’ from women residing in the district or working in Jongno.
Selected members will participate in weekly Sunday training sessions at the Hangang Multipurpose Sports Ground (519-17 Deogeun-dong, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do) under the guidance of a professional coach. Despite challenges from the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the women’s soccer team has been active, including participation in the Seoul Citizens League Women’s Soccer Team Championship last year.
Additionally, from May to December, the district will operate a ‘Children’s Soccer Class’ and a ‘Youth Futsal Class.’ Tuition is free, and participants receive various sports equipment, including soccer balls.
The children’s soccer class will accept 25 elementary school students, and the youth futsal class will accept 25 students from elementary to middle school, both on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants will train twice a week for two hours at the Muak Multipurpose Small Sports Ground (57-10 Muak-dong) under professional instructors.
Applications can be submitted via email to the person in charge or through the district office website. For details, contact the Health City Division’s Community Sports Team.
A district official said, “This is a valuable opportunity to enjoy a favorite sport and for children and youth to develop teamwork and perseverance needed for group life. We encourage active participation from interested individuals.”
Yongsan-gu (Mayor Sung Chang-hyun) will select 383 ‘2022 Dream Tree Scholarship’ recipients to nurture future talents.
Applicants must be elementary, middle, or high school students registered as residents of Yongsan-gu as of April 1, with applications accepted until the 22nd.
The scholarship amounts are 300,000 KRW for 129 elementary students, 400,000 KRW for 127 middle school students, and 500,000 KRW for 127 high school students, totaling 153 million KRW.
Selection categories include General, Community Service, Academic Excellence, and Excellence in Arts and Sports. The aim is to recognize diverse talents and abilities beyond just family background or grades.
A district official emphasized, “General scholarships are awarded to students facing financial difficulties. Since last year, we have also newly identified students struggling due to COVID-19.”
Students and parents wishing to apply can do so at their local community service center (for General and Community Service categories) or their current school (for Academic Excellence and Arts/Sports categories). Students attending schools outside the district must submit applications through their local community service center with a school principal’s recommendation.
Application forms, self-introductions, and recommendation letters (from school principals and district heads) can be downloaded from the district website’s announcements or the education comprehensive portal.
The district will hold a scholarship fund management committee meeting to select recipients and plans to award certificates and scholarships in June.
The Dream Tree Scholarship is funded by interest income from the scholarship fund. Since 2013, a total of 2,919 students have received 1.1624 billion KRW in scholarships.
The district established the ‘Yongsan-gu Scholarship Fund Establishment and Operation Ordinance’ in 2010 and completed raising 10 billion KRW over nine years (2011?2019) to promote equal educational opportunities and nurture future talents.
Yongsan-gu Mayor Sung Chang-hyun said, “We hope the Dream Tree Scholarship will be a stepping stone for youth to demonstrate excellence and creativity. We will continue to provide various opportunities for students to pursue their dreams and talents.”
Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Seon-gap) is operating a ‘Mobile Bicycle Repair Service’ in collaboration with the Saeromi Bicycle Project Team of the Gwangjin Regional Self-Support Center.
This project aims to support self-reliance and independence by providing bicycle repair education and jobs to low-income vulnerable groups, while offering free bicycle inspections to local residents and promoting eco-friendly bicycle use with zero carbon emissions.
The repair service operates from May, touring 15 neighborhoods every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Simple services like tire inflation are free, while parts replacement requires payment of only the cost of parts and minimal fees. For vulnerable households such as disabled persons with mobility difficulties, pick-up, repair, and delivery services are available.
Additionally, ‘Recycled Bicycles’?bicycles collected from urban eyesores and restored to usable condition?are sold at affordable prices.
The repair schedule starts on May 3 in Junggok 1-dong, followed by Neung-dong on May 10, Jayang 1-dong on May 12, Junggok 4-dong on May 19, Guui 3-dong on May 24, Junggok 3-dong on May 26, and Jayang 4-dong on May 31, all held at respective neighborhood community centers.
Residents wishing to have their bicycles repaired can bring them to the site according to the schedule for immediate service. For detailed information, contact the Saeromi Bicycle Project Team at the Seoul Gwangjin Regional Self-Support Center.
Gwangjin-gu Mayor Kim Seon-gap said, “This project supports the independence of low-income vulnerable groups and provides a great opportunity for residents to receive free bicycle inspections nearby while protecting the environment. We encourage many to use this service.”
Jung-gu (Mayor Seo Yang-ho) conducted ‘Child Abuse Prevention and Child Rights Education with Families’ for households with children aged 4 to 3rd grade in elementary school.
While the child population in Korea continues to decline, cases of child abuse have steadily increased over the past five years. In 2021, there were 30,905 reported cases nationwide, with parents accounting for the largest proportion of abusers.
The district regularly conducts various campaigns and awareness-raising education to inform residents about child abuse realities and to increase interest in improving child rights.
The recent education sessions held on March 22 and 29 and April 1 addressed the difficult topic of child sexual abuse, which parents often find hard to explain to children. Using puppet shows, magic shows, and quizzes tailored to children’s levels, the program aimed to engage children and maintain their focus.
The puppet show, presented in a musical format, taught children how to refuse unwanted contact, report unpleasant experiences to family or teachers, and seek help, enabling them to learn concrete coping methods for situations they might encounter.
After the puppet show, children and parents participated in a quiz program to learn about types of child abuse and how to report it.
The district plans to hold a ‘Joint Training for Child Abuse Response Personnel’ on May 12 to strengthen cooperation with related agencies such as Jungbu Police Station, Namdaemun Police Station, and Dongbu Child Protection Agency.
Since 2020, Jung-gu has assigned dedicated child abuse officers specialized in reporting, investigation, and counseling. Starting this year, the district will support medical and psychological treatment costs, as well as daily necessities, for child abuse victims to secure accurate evidence and aid recovery.
A district official said, “We will continue joint campaigns and publicity activities involving public, private, and police sectors to eradicate child abuse and protect child rights. We will also provide ongoing parenting skills education for parents to establish a proper parenting culture.”
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