[Seoul District News] Seongdong-gu Signs Agreement with 21 Groups Selected for the ‘2022 Seongdong-type ESG Practice Contest’ on the 14th; Actively Promotes Public, Corporate, and Resident Tripartite Cooperation for Recycling, Waste Reduction, Awareness Improvement, Barrier-Free Education, and Job Creation... Seodaemun-gu Wins ‘2022 Korea Green Climate Award’... Gangdong-gu Launches Nationwide First Resident-Participation Autonomous Security; Pilot Operation Starts May 2... Dongjak-gu Cultivates Leaders to Lead Local Culture and Arts... Yongsan-gu Strengthens Creative New Deal Implementation Capacity
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) signed agreements on the 14th with 21 organizations that were finally selected for the ‘2022 Seongdong-type ESG Practice Contest Project.’
After accepting applications in February this year and undergoing three rounds of in-depth evaluations last month, a total of 21 ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) projects were selected, and these projects will be actively promoted through this agreement.
According to the project agreement, an app equipped with big data, AI, and location-based technology will be developed and operated to build records such as garbage maps and collection. A reusable cup conversion project will also be promoted to create disposable-free government offices, universities, and events.
A project to install special waste collection boxes for sewing companies to upcycle old clothes into pet products will be carried out, along with collecting waste plastic PET bottles, processing them into flakes, converting them into yarn, and manufacturing shoes, slippers, bags, and more.
Discarded furniture will be collected or repurposed as materials for furniture sharing. Single-use containers used in regular food delivery will be replaced with reusable containers, creating jobs through delivery, collection, and washing of reusable containers.
A reusable cup called ‘Seongdong’s Cup’ will be produced to encourage cafes to participate and reduce disposable cup use. Additionally, eco-friendly solar-powered LED road marker bottles will be installed in roadside parking lots to improve parking space visibility and ensure nighttime user safety.
Education to improve ESG understanding among members of the local social welfare council, carbon reduction practice campaigns to raise environmental awareness among elementary, middle, and high school students in the area, and cooperative governance through public-private partnerships will be implemented. Barrier-free human rights education will also be actively promoted to improve awareness of disabilities.
The selected organizations will implement projects targeting various residents such as children, multicultural families, and people with disabilities from May to November through ESG experience programs and awareness improvement education activities. In December, results will be disclosed to share experiences and know-how among the project organizations.
Following the ‘Sustainable City ESG Seongdong Declaration Ceremony’ held last month to solidify ESG practice and promise a leap toward a better future, the district plans to actively promote ESG implementation through cooperation among the public sector, companies, and residents via this contest project.
Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “Despite the subdued atmosphere due to COVID-19, I thank many organizations for their generous interest and support in this contest project. The district will also spare no support to ensure that the selected organizations can smoothly carry out the project.”
Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) announced on the 19th that it was selected as the only Seoul autonomous district to receive the ‘2022 Korea Green Climate Award’ from the ‘National Assembly Climate Change Forum’ (co-representatives Assembly members Han Jeong-ae and Yoo Ui-dong).
The ‘National Assembly Climate Change Forum’ is a climate change governance body established in 2007 during the 17th National Assembly to promote nationwide discussion and action on climate change. Currently, about 40 lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties participate as members in the 21st National Assembly.
The ‘Korea Green Climate Award’ selected and awarded by this forum is a comprehensive climate change evaluation award that encourages organizations and individuals with significant contributions to climate change response and green nation promotion, marking its 12th year this year.
Organizations and individuals nominated through applications or recommendations in six categories?public, autonomous, corporate, citizen, education, and media?were honored after preliminary and final evaluations. The award ceremony was held on the 14th of this month at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building, 1st Small Conference Room.
Seodaemun-gu, the first energy self-reliant innovation district among nationwide local governments, received the ‘Forum Co-Representative Award’ for achievements such as ▲implementing the Seodaemun-type Green New Deal 5-year plan ▲opening the Seodaemun Two-Wheel Environment Center as a low-carbon practice hub ▲establishing 30 energy self-reliant villages and 3 regional energy self-reliance support centers ▲and citizen climate environment movements.
Also cited for the award were building energy efficiency projects involving public, private, and academic sectors, the introduction of electric low-floor buses, and mandatory environmental education for all employees.
Mayor Moon Seok-jin said, “Since last year, we have been implementing practical carbon-neutral policies under the Seodaemun-type Green New Deal 5-year plan, and we will continue to take the lead in responding to the climate crisis together with residents.”
The ‘Pet Dog Patrol’ that walks dogs while monitoring neighborhood safety will be launched for the first time nationwide in Gangdong-gu.
The ‘Pet Dog Patrol,’ which will begin pilot operation in Gangdong-gu from May 2, is a project planned by the Seoul Metropolitan Autonomous Police Committee as a new alternative for resident-participatory autonomous policing. After about two months of pilot operation, it may be expanded throughout Seoul depending on the project’s effectiveness.
Before the pilot operation, Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jung-hoon) signed a business agreement on the 18th with the Seoul Metropolitan Autonomous Police Committee (Chairman Kim Hak-bae), Gangdong Police Station, and the Non-Profit Organization ‘City Without Stray Dogs.’ The agreement covers overall operational matters and plans close cooperation for successful operation.
Applications are accepted until the 27th. Interested parties can apply by phone or online via the Non-Profit Organization ‘City Without Stray Dogs’ website. The recruitment target is 100 dog owners residing in Gangdong-gu, selected through a simple screening process. Priority is given to those who have taken classes at the Gangdong Ribbon Center or adopted stray dogs.
Selected participants will serve as local safety guardians by taking daily walks with their dogs from May 2 to June 30, observing and reporting crime risk factors or inconveniences in their neighborhoods.
Lee Jung-hoon, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, said, “This is a very meaningful project where residents familiar with the area, the district office, police, and private organizations collaborate organically to ensure local safety. I hope many residents will participate in the Pet Dog Patrol to practice community service in daily life.”
Dongjak-gu (Mayor Lee Chang-woo) is promoting the ‘2022 Dongjak Regional Culture Planner Training Course Didim 2nd Term’ (hereafter ‘Didim’ 2nd term) to cultivate professional regional cultural planners and discover local cultural resources.
‘Didim,’ meaning to take a step forward for regional cultural revitalization, is a project jointly planned by Dongjak-gu and the Dongjak Cultural Foundation. Following the graduation of 29 participants in the first term last year, this year marks the second term.
The ‘Didim’ 2nd term offers various theoretical education from regional cultural experts active in Korea, including ▲the present of ‘region’ and ‘regional culture’ ▲regional cultural festivals enjoyed in the metaverse (e-Saegyejeol Cherry Blossom Festival) ▲case studies of regional cultural project planning reflecting local phenomena ▲field trips to understand Dongjak-gu ▲urban regeneration archiving, among others.
Additionally, practical courses such as group project proposal writing and consulting, regional cultural research exploration, and proposal presentations are richly organized.
The training course will be held free of charge for eight weeks from May 10 to June 30 at Kkamangdol Library (Heukseok-dong).
The application period is until the 26th. Anyone residing in Dongjak-gu or working/studying at workplaces or universities (including graduate schools) located in Dongjak-gu with interest in regional culture or cultural arts revitalization can participate.
Application forms can be downloaded from the Dongjak Cultural Foundation website and submitted after completion.
For detailed information about this training course, inquiries can be made through the Dongjak Cultural Foundation website or the Cultural Policy Team of the Dongjak Cultural Foundation.
Park Tae-han, Director of the Sports and Culture Division, said, “Following the first term of Didim, we expect participants to form networks among cultural arts stakeholders and residents in the region and discover various regional cultural issues to grow as professional regional cultural planners in Dongjak-gu.”
The district plans to provide opportunities for cultural enjoyment to relieve accumulated fatigue among residents as part of gradual daily recovery following the post-Omicron phase.
Accordingly, indoor cultural facilities such as Dongjak Cultural Center, Sayuksin History Museum, Dongjak Art Gallery, and Cultural Welfare Center will lift capacity limits and resume face-to-face programs in the second half of the year. Cultural heritage facilities such as Yongyangbongjeojeong and the tomb of Prince Yangnyeong will allow group visitors following the lifting of private gathering limits.
Yongsan-gu (Mayor Seong Chang-hyun) will conduct the ‘2022 Creative New Deal Capacity Building Training’ over two days on the 21st and 22nd.
This is to ensure the successful promotion of the district’s 2022 Creative New Deal projects.
The training will be conducted in real-time online format with 110 participants (55 per day). It will cover ▲cases of the Korean New Deal ▲techniques and applications for deriving innovative ideas ▲understanding and cases of the metaverse ▲and Gather Town experience over seven hours.
In particular, the district will provide an opportunity to experience the metaverse, a rapidly emerging digital platform. A virtual space similar to the district office work environment will be created in Gather Town, allowing trainees to experience meetings and work in virtual reality.
A district official said, “The training course, which uses creative thinking techniques to derive ideas and analyze and evaluate them from various perspectives, will greatly help strengthen the capacity to practice the Creative New Deal.”
The Creative New Deal is a concept combining the current government’s national project ‘Korean New Deal’ and the district’s existing ‘creative administration.’ This year, the district is conducting 65 related projects (33 digital, 7 green, 7 human, 18 creative).
Main projects include ▲advancing the Smart Yongsan Network ▲building a 3D model of public offices based on digital twins ▲our village challenge to overcome the climate crisis ▲smart sewage odor improvement project ▲operation of the Care SOS Center to fill care gaps ▲youth employment special lectures in the metaverse ▲and building a digital Yongsan craft hall based on the metaverse.
Seong Chang-hyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “Continuous self-training is necessary for efficient work promotion. We will continue to discover projects and strengthen employee capabilities so that the district can lead the digital transformation era.”
Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Sung-soo) will provide disaster relief funds of 400,000 KRW per person to 2,100 individual and small freight transport operators in the district.
Mayor Park Sung-soo explained, “As the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic worsens freight transport conditions and rising fuel prices cause double hardships, more freight transport operators are facing difficulties making a living.”
Accordingly, Songpa-gu will provide disaster relief funds totaling 840 million KRW to help individual and small freight transport operators in the district regain vitality and overcome economic difficulties.
The support targets are individual and small freight transport operators with vehicles under 5 tons who are registered residents of Songpa-gu and have been operating for more than two months as of the announcement date (April 18, 2022).
The application period is until May 6. After checking the announcement on the district website’s notice board, applicants should prepare the application form, a copy of the vehicle registration certificate, and a copy of their bankbook, then apply in person at ▲the Seoul Individual Freight Association Namdong Branch for individual freight transport operators or ▲the Seoul Small Freight Association 3rd Branch for small freight transport operators.
The district plans to review application documents and eligibility and sequentially pay 400,000 KRW per person starting mid-May.
For more details, inquiries can be made to the Parking Management Division of Songpa-gu Office.
Mayor Park Sung-soo said, “I hope this disaster relief fund will help freight transport operators who have been hit hard by COVID-19 and worsening transport conditions. We will continue to do our best to help residents safely recover their daily lives and revitalize the local economy through proactive, tailored support by social class.”
Dobong-gu (Mayor Lee Dong-jin) released the ‘Spring’ episode of the planned video series ‘Seasons of Dobong’ on the official YouTube channel ‘DobongBong TV’ on the 15th.
This video introduces the cherry blossom paths along Ui Stream and Jungnang Stream in Dobong-gu, prepared to show the full bloom of cherry blossoms to those who missed viewing them due to COVID-19 and busy daily life.
The video features singer HEYNE performing the song ‘Good Luck’ alongside the cherry blossoms. The video can be viewed on the YouTube channel ‘DobongBong TV’ under the title ‘2022 Dobong-gu Cherry Blossom Spots, Cherry Blossom Healing with HEYNE! Cherry Blossom Date.’
Dobong-gu plans to introduce the four seasons, attractions, and things to enjoy in Dobong-gu to viewers through the ‘Seasons of Dobong’ video series.
Lee Dong-jin, Mayor of Dobong-gu, said, “I believe Dobong-gu residents could not enjoy the cherry blossoms near their homes this year due to COVID-19. Ui Stream and Jungnang Stream in Dobong-gu have well-established cherry blossom walking paths with annual cherry blossom festivals. I hope this video helps viewers heal by seeing the short-lived cherry blossoms and that Dobong-gu’s cherry blossom paths will be loved by many.”
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