Dobong-gu Supports Electricity Bills for 300 Energy-Vulnerable Households

[Seoul District News] Dobong-gu Supports 300 Low-Income Households with 50,000 KRW Each for Electricity Bills from Public Solar Power Sales Revenue Climate Fund... Seongbuk-gu Holds Free Home Repair Workshop for Interested Residents... Gwangjin-gu Provides Exercise Coupons for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes Patients... Korea Institute of Information Technology Research (KITRI) Donates 500kg of Rice to Needy in Geumcheon-gu... [Photo] Yongsan-gu Selected as Excellent District for Warm Winter Campaign... Yongsan-gu Memory Keepers Dementia Volunteer Group

Dobong Sunshine Sharing Power Plant Unit 4

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Dobong-gu (Mayor Oh Eon-seok) is providing 50,000 KRW per household in electricity bill support to 300 energy-vulnerable households in the area during the summer season when electricity usage is high.

The support targets relatively low-income groups such as basic livelihood security recipients and near-poverty groups, selected based on recommendations from the local community centers, with the support funds expected to be deposited by July 29.

This project is a representative energy welfare initiative of Dobong-gu, promoted since 2019 using climate change funds created from the sale of solar power generated at five Dobong Sunlight Sharing Power Plants directly operated by the district and profits from virtual power plant operations.

Dobong-gu is implementing various energy welfare projects for energy-vulnerable groups, including ▲ coal briquette coupon support ▲ energy voucher provision ▲ free LED lighting replacement ▲ distribution of gas safety shut-off devices.

Oh Eon-seok, Mayor of Dobong-gu, said, “We will strive to enhance local energy welfare by reducing energy costs for low-income households and promoting safer and more eco-friendly energy supply.”

Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) held a home repair workshop for residents interested in home repairs.

The workshop, conducted over three months from May to July, took place at Neulpumjip (meaning “a house that always warmly embraces”) Village Management Office in Jeongneung-dong, with eight Seongbuk-gu residents participating. Neulpumjip is a specialized space in Seongbuk-gu that lends tools free of charge and provides expert technical advice for improving residential environments.

Aging in Place Co., Ltd. (CEO Son Hyo-jung), a social enterprise in Seongbuk-gu specializing in home repair and interior fields, conducted theoretical and practical training tailored to various home repair situations encountered in daily life. Although it was a demanding 40-hour course, participant satisfaction was very high.

Kim ** (Jeongneung-dong, 45), a participant, said, “I’ve heard of places where you can borrow tools, but this village management office is the only place where you can learn both theory and practical usage and immediately apply it on site,” giving a thumbs-up.

Park ** (Donam 1-dong, 56) said, “The class was practical because it dealt with repairs that commonly occur in my own home,” adding, “Many neighbors want to take this class, so I hope it expands so more residents can be educated.”

Seongbuk-gu plans to hold another home repair workshop in the second half of September based on residents’ feedback.

This home repair workshop was planned and operated by Aging in Place. Aging in Place is a youth social venture company that succeeded in starting up after conducting a senior-customized housing service project in Seongbuk-gu from 2019 to 2020 and was certified as a Seoul-type preliminary social enterprise this year. It creates various social values in the housing welfare sector for vulnerable groups while generating youth jobs and gradually expanding its business scope.

Neulpumjip also represents Seongbuk-gu’s “shared administration.” A housing coordinator is stationed there to provide consultations on home repairs and lend electric tools free of charge. It also handles consultations and applications for remodeling old houses to prevent falls among neighborhood seniors. Services for senior home repairs, such as anti-slip construction, installation of safety handles, and removal of thresholds, are managed by local youth.

Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, said, “Through the on-site mayor’s office, many residents in low-rise residential areas expressed the need for a space functioning like a management office in apartment complexes, and we actively responded by starting the Neulpumjip project.” He added, “For seniors at high risk of falls at home, it provides welfare for a safe daily life; for youth, job opportunities; and for general residents, a multi-benefit project where tools used only a few times a year can be borrowed free of charge along with expert consultation and education.” He pledged, “We will do our best to ensure safe and comfortable daily lives for Seongbuk residents.”

Seongbuk Village Management Office Neulpumjip opened in September 2021 at 32 Jeongneung-ro 38ra-gil, Seongbuk-gu, providing tool rental, home repair education, free home repair services for vulnerable groups, housing welfare counseling, and linkage services to Seongbuk-gu residents.

Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) is taking steps to manage and support pediatric and adolescent diabetes patients and high-risk groups.

Recently, due to changes in dietary habits and various factors, the age group of diabetes patients is gradually decreasing. Additionally, obesity significantly affects the onset of type 2 diabetes, with 25.8% of children and adolescents being overweight or obese, increasing by about 1 percentage point annually.

Accordingly, Gwangjin-gu Public Health Center recognizes the need to manage pediatric and adolescent diabetes patients and high-risk groups and is initiating registration management and exercise support.

First, when pediatric and adolescent diabetes patients and high-risk groups apply and register, individual health education on ▲ diabetes ▲ exercise ▲ diet therapy ▲ complication prevention will be provided. Subsequently, exercise coupons worth about 200,000 KRW per person will be provided in kind through linkage with exercise institutions. Monitoring management will also be provided.

The primary applicants are pediatric and adolescent diabetes-diagnosed patients, and the secondary applicants are children and adolescents who are obese (based on BMI) and have parents with diabetes. They must reside in Gwangjin-gu for more than six months and be under 18 years old or students attending schools under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Children and adolescents wishing to apply should call the Gwangjin-gu Public Health Center for inquiries, then visit in person with supporting documents such as a resident registration certificate and diagnosis certificate, along with the application form available on the district website. Applications are accepted until the end of October but may close early if the budget is exhausted.

Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, said, “This project was launched to help manage diabetes and correct lifestyle habits among children and adolescents,” adding, “We expect that exercise coupon support will improve the learning and health rights of children and adolescents.”

Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Seong-hoon) announced on the 26th that the Korea Institute of Information Technology Research (Director Yoo Joon-sang, hereafter KITRI) donated 500 kg of white rice for neighbors in need.

The donation ceremony was held at 2 p.m. on the same day at Geumcheon-gu Office Plaza, attended by Mayor Yoo Seong-hoon, Director Yoo Joon-sang, and seven KITRI officials.

Director Yoo Joon-sang said, “I want to use the white rice received through the next-generation security leader training program (BoB) event in a meaningful place,” adding, “I am very honored to share love rice in Geumcheon-gu, where the BoB Center and Smart Innovation Product Technology Support Center are located.”

Korea Institute of Information Technology Research (KITRI) supports manufacturing process innovation and smart innovation product technology development for small and medium enterprises in G-Valley. In September 2021, it signed an agreement with Geumcheon-gu and has been operating the Smart Innovation Product Technology Support Center in Gasan-dong, Geumcheon-gu, with 600 million KRW in district funds over five years.

Yoo Seong-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, expressed gratitude, saying, “We hope you will continue to support G-Valley SMEs struggling with smart innovation product development, and the precious rice you donated will be shared with those in need.”

Yongsan-gu (Mayor Park Hee-young) received an award as an excellent autonomous district in the ‘2022 Hope Ondol Warm Winter Campaign’ from the Seoul Community Chest of Korea on the 26th.

It was selected as one of the top six districts in Seoul by achieving 1.557 billion KRW in fundraising, reaching 115% of the target.

The Warm Winter Campaign is a winter neighbor-helping project jointly conducted by Seoul’s 25 autonomous districts and the Seoul Community Chest of Korea. Donations and goods from residents help basic livelihood security recipients, elderly living alone, disabled persons, single-parent families, and others.

The Seoul Community Chest of Korea, which is promoting the ‘Community Safety Line Protection Support Project’ in 2022, delivered 45 million KRW, part of the fundraising, to the Yongsan Welfare Foundation at this event. The funds will be used to support vulnerable residents within 120% of the median income in the region.

Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “Despite the prolonged COVID-19 difficulties, I sincerely thank everyone who willingly participated in donations,” adding, “We will deliver the warm hearts to neighbors in need and carefully ensure that no one is left behind.”

Yongsan-gu (Mayor Park Hee-young) is drawing attention with the ‘Yongsan-gu Memory Keeper Dementia Volunteer Group’ (hereafter Yong.Gi.Dan), which operates to eliminate blind spots in dementia treatment and prevention.

‘Yong.Gi.Dan’ consists of 22 health coordinators. Since April, two health coordinators have formed one team to visit homes of elderly with mild cognitive impairment who have difficulty moving and conduct cognitive learning activities.

Cognitive activities include programs such as concentration and memory training, ICT experiences, and exercise to improve the daily lives of the elderly. Thirty-three elderly registered at the Yongsan-gu Dementia Safety Center are using the visiting service.

Health coordinator Kim Sun-young (pseudonym) said, “I gain energy every time I meet the warmly welcoming elderly,” adding, “I will continue to research fun activities to help the elderly maintain a healthy daily life.”

The district’s Dementia Safety Center conducted specialized dementia-related education for retirees aged 50 to under 67 in March. Those who completed over 80% of the course and wish to participate in ‘Yong.Gi.Dan’ activities are joining as health coordinators for visiting learning volunteer work.

Health coordinators belonging to ‘Yong.Gi.Dan’ strive to strengthen their capabilities. Every Wednesday, they receive continuous training at the district Dementia Safety Center on cognitive activity programs, communication methods, exercise therapy, and other necessary skills.

Additionally, the district Dementia Safety Center operates the ‘Smart Senior IT Experience Zone’ to bridge the digital divide among the elderly.

The ‘Smart Senior IT Experience Zone’ operates Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Visitors can experience ▲ kiosk use ▲ brain health improvement games using smart pads and VR ▲ singing and dancing with AI robots to share emotions.

Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “When physical activity decreases, cognitive decline usually follows,” adding, “We will nurture and expand the volunteer group that provides companionship and cognitive activity support to elderly with mobility difficulties.”