[Seoul District News] Seungro Lee, Seongbuk-gu Mayor, Visits Donam Market on the 1st to Shop for Chuseok... Kyunggi Ryu, Jungnang-gu Mayor, Visits Local Traditional Market for Chuseok on the 1st... Taewoo Kim, Gangseo-gu Mayor, Holds On-the-Spot Meeting to Hear Small Business Owners' Voices... Eonseok Oh, Dobong-gu Mayor, Personally Visits Cases A and B on the 1st to Check District Welfare System & Dobong-style Support for the Vulnerable, Tight Resident Networks Key, Increase Honorary Social Welfare Officers, Strengthen Local Community Security Council... Taewoo Kim, Gangseo-gu Mayor
Seung-ro Lee, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, who visited Donam Market, is purchasing ritual items using the Seongbuk Love Gift Certificate and conversing with merchants.
Seung-ro Lee, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, stepped up as a savior for traditional markets ahead of the Chuseok holiday.
When the Seongbuk Love Gift Certificate, issued by Seongbuk-gu with a scale of 10 billion won per day to revitalize the local economy, was sold out early due to high popularity, Mayor Lee personally shopped at local traditional markets and conveyed the message, "Let the alley economy circulate with the use of Seongbuk Love Gift Certificates at traditional markets! Let the smiles of local small business owners flourish! Let the consumption that brings hope to the pockets of Seongbuk residents thrive!"
Gyeong-gi Ryu, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, will visit seven local traditional markets over three days from August 31 to September 2 to inspect the sites and meet with merchants to exchange opinions ahead of the Chuseok holiday.
On the first day, Mayor Ryu visited Dongwon Traditional General Market, Dongwon Traditional Market Shopping District, and Jangmi Jeil Market to carefully check if there were any inconveniences in using the markets.
The district is conducting various projects focused on enhancing the competitiveness of traditional markets and alley commercial districts as part of the 8th term public pledges, including expanding specialized shopping streets, supporting modernization of traditional markets, and supporting registration of alley-type shopping districts. Based on these projects, the district plans to strengthen the self-sustainability of small business owners and invigorate the local economy.
Mayor Ryu said, "The generous spirit and overflowing energy of the markets already bring a rich Chuseok atmosphere," adding, "We will continue to communicate with small business owners so that the markets become lively places where residents want to visit."
The district is also conducting events such as giving Onnuri Gift Certificates at seven local traditional markets to allow residents to purchase quality products at affordable prices in preparation for Chuseok.
"Small business owners must thrive for the local economy to thrive. We will create a vibrant Gangseo-gu by revitalizing the local economy through various cultural events."
On the afternoon of the 1st, after a busking (street performance) event held at Magok Cultural Street ended at 8 p.m., Kim Tae-woo, Mayor of Gangseo-gu, and local merchants gathered on the lawn.
This was because Mayor Kim held an impromptu meeting to listen to the difficulties of local small business owners directly.
This reflected Mayor Kim's strong will to get closer to small business owners, listen to voices from the field, and find ways to revitalize the local economy.
The meeting was held in a relaxed atmosphere sitting on the lawn. When a local merchant asked questions, Mayor Kim responded on the spot.
When a merchant running a cafe said that sales were not as good as before and hoped for frequent events like today's busking, Mayor Kim said, "Culture and arts have a great impact on the local economy," promising to continuously promote various cultural events, adding, "If the area is revitalized through culture and arts, the local economy will also revive."
He also responded decisively, "We will expand the busking events planned four times since the 25th of last month so that residents can enjoy cultural life in our neighborhood without going far."
When a merchant suggested installing a new crosswalk leading to Magok Cultural Street, Mayor Kim said, "There are many things to consider such as signal systems and vehicle traffic volume, and it is not a matter for the district to decide, but if there is a need for residents' convenience, we will consult with related agencies."
Mayor Kim said, "We are devising various ways to create synergy effects by linking with companies settled in the Magok district," adding, "We will create 'Gangseo full of culture and arts,' one of the district's five core pledges."
Gangseo-gu is promoting five core pledges under the slogan "Future created by change, Gangseo soaring with residents": a high-quality balanced city revitalizing the old downtown, a good place to raise children, companionship with the socially vulnerable, a Gangseo full of culture and arts, and a safe environmental city coexisting with nature.
[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Case 1.
"An elderly person living alone in a rented house underwent a lower limb amputation surgery due to diabetic complications and is living in poor housing conditions. Is there any way to help?"
A resident of Dobong 2-dong, upon hearing about the difficult situation of Mr. A (in his 70s), who lives alone without family, inquired with the local community center staff about possible support measures. The community center staff visited the elderly person's home, listened to the situation, repaired the housing environment to facilitate mobility, and helped apply for basic living security benefits. Residents are also pooling their efforts to assist with hospital visits.
Case 2.
Mr. B (in his 40s), who lives in a goshiwon (small lodging) with broken family ties, was going through difficult days due to depression and panic disorder and was connected to the community center through the 'goshiwon manager.' Since then, Mr. B has applied for basic living security benefits and is receiving treatment through a specialized institution for mental health counseling.
These cases are stories from the 'Walking with the Vulnerable' visits by Oh Eon-seok, Mayor of Dobong-gu, on September 1, where he personally visited vulnerable groups in the area to listen to their difficulties and comfort their hearts.
A district official explained, "Both Mr. A and Mr. B were able to create opportunities to overcome difficult situations thanks to reports from neighbors. The public and private sectors worked together to 'discover' and 'connect' those in welfare blind spots, preventing lonely deaths of residents who might have taken extreme measures."
On that day, after inspecting the welfare system on-site and hearing directly from neighbors who overcame crises, Mayor Oh said, "Discovering welfare blind spots or preventing lonely deaths may seem like work only for those with a sense of mission, but I believe anyone can do it with a heart to help neighbors and small actions. Saving the lives of neighbors whose doors are piled with empty bottles and overdue notices, and connecting socially and economically isolated neighbors in urgent need of support to specialized institutions are small but meaningful acts that constitute 'discovering welfare blind spots.'"
Dobong-gu's 'Dobong-style Walking with the Vulnerable' aims to lead changes and growth in the community through a strong public safety net and a dense resident network, achieved together by the public and residents.
In particular, to prevent lonely deaths of those living alone, the district plans to reorganize the public welfare environment changed after the COVID-19 pandemic and focus on discovering and supporting vulnerable groups by sector.
As part of this, the district plans to expand the appointment of 'Honorary Social Welfare Officers' among workers in daily life industries such as convenience stores and beauty salons, who frequently meet neighbors, through a public-private cooperation system called 'Walking with the Vulnerable' to watch over neighbors and help with problems. It will also strengthen the activities of the 'Dong Community Security Council' to encourage local residents' participation in local issues.
Mayor Oh said, "Through the first step of Dobong-style Walking with the Vulnerable, we will watch over the lives of marginalized neighbors and actively check whether the welfare system is working properly. I hope that the good influence spreads throughout Dobong, making it a district without welfare blind spots."
Kim Tae-woo, Mayor of Gangseo-gu, Seoul, is continuing his on-site visits to traditional markets ahead of the Chuseok holiday to prepare measures for public welfare.
On the afternoon of the 1st, Mayor Kim visited Hwagok Bon-dong Market and Nambu Alley Market to encourage merchants and listen to their difficulties in a communication session.
This visit was the second traditional market public sentiment communication effort following visits to Bangsin Market and Songhwa Mural Market on the 29th of last month. It was arranged to revive the local economy, which has been stagnant due to COVID-19, and to alleviate anxiety caused by rising prices and stimulate consumption.
Mayor Kim asked merchants about the prices of Chuseok seasonal goods one by one and carefully checked the supply situation and prices of major seasonal items.
Hearing from a merchant that despite the upcoming major holiday of Chuseok, consumers' wallets are not opening easily due to the resurgence of COVID-19 and soaring prices, Mayor Kim promised to actively promote to residents that the cost of Chuseok table settings at traditional markets is much cheaper than at large supermarkets.
He also promised continuous efforts and generous support to revive the stagnant traditional markets through price stabilization measures and modernization projects.
In this regard, the district is investing about 1.9 billion won this year to promote various facility modernization projects such as building customer parking lots and customer support centers, replacing arcade roofs, and repairing old electrical wiring.
Additionally, about 200 million won is being invested in traditional market management modernization projects such as online delivery services and free village bus rides to encourage continuous visits by consumers.
Furthermore, the district applied for the Seoul City facility modernization project in August and plans to secure a budget of about 1.7 billion won next year to start arcade repair work at Kkachisan Market if selected.
Mayor Kim said, "It is regrettable that the atmosphere of traditional markets, which are the roots of the local economy, is not recovering easily even before the holiday season due to thinning wallets," adding, "Revitalizing traditional markets is one of Gangseo-gu's major tasks."
He continued, "Especially, Gangseo-gu's traditional markets always receive good evaluations from consumers thanks to clean facilities, affordable prices, and friendly merchants," and said, "The district will further promote local traditional markets and create vibrant traditional markets that consumers continue to visit through generous support of the district budget for facility modernization and management modernization projects."
Meanwhile, Mayor Kim plans to continue on-site communication at traditional markets by visiting Hwagok Central Market and Kkachisan Market consecutively on the 6th.
Seung-rok Oh, Mayor of Nowon-gu, attended the '2022 Chuseok Joint Ancestral Rite and Consolation Performance for North Korean Defectors' held at 6 p.m. on the 1st in the large auditorium on the 2nd floor of the district office.
The event was organized to comfort the longing hearts of North Korean defectors who cannot return to their hometowns and to warmly celebrate Chuseok together. It was hosted by Nowon-gu and the Nowon-gu Council of the National Unification Advisory Council, with cooperation from the Seoul Northern Hana Center and sponsorship of Chuseok goods from Kookmin Bank and others.
Participants held a joint ancestral rite and wrote letters as a pre-event. The main event proceeded with the national ceremony, introduction of guests, greetings, and performances, including a performance by the South-North Harmony Choir and accordion performances by North Korean defector teams.
Mayor Oh said, "I am glad to be able to gather with North Korean defectors and enjoy together," adding, "We will continue to spare no support at the district level so that they can settle stably and live as residents of Nowon-gu."
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