Yangcheon-gu Opens and Operates 'Kkumnuri' Shelter for Abused Children

[Seoul District News] Yangcheon-gu Opens Abuse Victim Shelter on 20th, Full Operation Begins · Private Facility, 114㎡ with Bedrooms and Psychological Therapy Rooms, Accommodates 7 Children · 6 Staff Including Clinical Psychologists and Social Workers Work 24-Hour Shifts, Providing Meals and Emotional Support... Jung-gu Runs Rehabilitation Program for Youth with Developmental Disabilities... Yongsan-gu Installs Temporary Stop Traffic Safety Facilities in School Zones... Gangseo-gu Operates ‘Summer Vacation Youth Volunteer Program’

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yangcheon-gu (District Mayor Lee Gi-jae) announced that it will open the girls-only abuse victim child shelter "Kkum Nuri" on the 20th and begin full-scale operation.

As the number of child abuse reports increased, the district secured a budget (national, city, and district funds) to prepare for the demand for temporary protection of children in crisis and has been preparing to open the shelter since the first half of this year.

The newly opened shelter "Kkum Nuri" is a private facility with an area of 113.91㎡, equipped with bedrooms, psychological therapy rooms, and security facilities. It has a capacity of 7 people, allowing female children and adolescents under 18 years old who need separated protection to live together.

Six professionals, including the facility director, clinical psychologists, and social workers, will work in shifts 24 hours a day to protect abuse victims who have been immediately separated, providing living support (meals and lodging), psychological counseling and treatment, education (academic, cultural experiences, etc.), and emotional support programs.

The district expects that by opening this shelter, it will establish a dedicated protection facility in the region, enabling close management and professional counseling support for abused children, thereby building a faster and more systematic child abuse response system.

Lee Gi-jae, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, said, "We will spare no support necessary for 'healing' so that abused children can feel safe and comfortable at the 'Kkum Nuri' shelter," adding, "We will continue to create a flawless child protection system so that our children can grow up safely and happily."

Jung-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Kim Gil-sung) will operate rehabilitation programs for local adolescent individuals with developmental disabilities during the summer vacation period.

During July and August, Jung-gu will provide group rehabilitation exercise programs and integrated health promotion services for adolescent individuals with developmental disabilities, and psychological counseling services for their guardians.

This program was prepared to help maintain the health of disabled adolescents and reduce the childcare burden on families. Since facilities available to individuals with developmental disabilities are limited, their activity levels decrease during school vacations, increasing the likelihood of metabolic syndrome, and guardians inevitably face increased concerns and worries due to extended caregiving time.

The six programs offered include ▲group rehabilitation exercises tailored to disability types focusing on core, balance, and aerobic exercises ▲education and counseling on proper oral care for both disabled adolescents and guardians ▲dental treatment support linked with the dental primary care project for children under 18 ▲psychological counseling for disabled adolescents and guardians through small group counseling and self-help group formation ▲horticultural activities creating terrariums to increase social participation opportunities ▲CPR and disaster safety education to prepare for emergencies.

In particular, the group rehabilitation exercises are divided into four classes, where physical therapists assist with spinal and upper/lower limb muscle strengthening, joint range of motion improvement exercises, aerobic exercises, stretching and muscle training, and static/dynamic balance practice, expected to greatly aid the rehabilitation of adolescents with developmental disabilities.

Kim Gil-sung, Mayor of Jung-gu, said, "I hope this rehabilitation program helps individuals with developmental disabilities improve their physical abilities and continue confident daily lives," adding, "We will continue to actively implement effective policies for disabled people in the region so they can live happy lives."

Yongsan-gu (District Mayor Park Hee-young) will install stop traffic safety facilities in school zones by August 11.

Due to the amendment of the Road Traffic Act, from the 12th, vehicles must stop temporarily at crosswalks without traffic signals in school zones regardless of pedestrian presence. After the guidance period ends on August 12, violations will incur a fine of 60,000 KRW and 10 penalty points for passenger cars.

The district plans to complete the installation of 45 stop traffic safety signs and 36 road surface markings at signal-free crosswalks within Yongsan-gu school zones before the guidance period ends.

The targeted school zones for traffic safety facility installation include 13 locations: Chungshin Kindergarten, Ilmin Kindergarten, Huam Elementary, Hangang Elementary, Sinyongsan Elementary, Daegun, Won Kindergarten, Hannam Elementary, Namjeong Elementary, Wonhyo Elementary, Gyesung Kindergarten, Seoul German School, Hannam Daycare Center, Cheongpa Elementary School, Samgwang Elementary School, and Yongsan Elementary School.

A district official said, "We are effectively installing stop traffic safety facilities at all signal-free crosswalks within Yongsan-gu school zones," adding, "Developing the habit of driving according to traffic safety signs will greatly help prevent traffic accidents."

The district has been coordinating with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Yongsan Police Station, and Seoul City Pedestrian Policy Division since May, before the law's enforcement, to ensure children's pedestrian safety and encourage drivers to comply with regulations.

Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, "Two-thirds of Yongsan is under development or planned for development, resulting in many outdated and vulnerable infrastructure areas, especially road environments," adding, "Even before development, if it is a project to prevent children's safety accidents, the district will actively promote and invest without hesitation."

Let's spend the upcoming summer vacation meaningfully with volunteer work.

Gangseo-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Kim Tae-woo) announced that it will operate various volunteer programs for youth during the summer vacation.

The purpose is to provide youth with opportunities to experience and practice the values of sharing and volunteering during the summer vacation period.

In particular, this volunteer program combines education and experiential activities so that youth can understand and practice the true meaning of volunteering.

The program will be held at the Gangseo-gu Volunteer Center from August 1 to 11, consisting of six programs for elementary, middle, and high school students together, and six programs specifically for middle and high school students.

Main programs include basic volunteer education, ▲Volunteer Quiz King! ▲Making neighborly love items with the Knitting Love Volunteer Group ▲Making fans and mini electric fans for vulnerable residents ▲Sign language relay cheering for local community hidden heroes ▲Audio book recording for the visually impaired.

Professional instructors from volunteer groups active in the field, such as Balloon Dream Volunteer Group and Sign Language Love Friends, will guide students on small ways to practice sharing in daily life tailored to their level.

Additionally, after the program ends, 1 to 2 hours of volunteer activity hours will be recognized for each program.

The district is recruiting a total of 360 elementary, middle, and high school students affiliated with the Gangseo-gu Volunteer Center to participate in this volunteer program by July 28.

Youth wishing to participate can apply through the 1365 Volunteer Portal or the Gangseo-gu Volunteer Center website (homepage) via the posted link (Naver Form).

More detailed information such as program schedules and recruitment numbers can be found on the "Gangseo-gu Volunteer Center Homepage - Information Center - Notices."

A district official said, "We hope this summer vacation volunteer program will be a meaningful time for youth to learn the joy of volunteering," adding, "As it is a great opportunity to broaden perspectives on sharing and volunteering and to practice them, we encourage many interested students to participate."