[Seoul District News] Jungnang-gu Collects Residents' COVID-19 Daily Photos and Videos Until September 30 & Participation with Self-Captured or Created Photos and Videos of Vaccination, Quarantine Sites, and Screening... Jung-gu Hosts 'Hidden Treasure Market' Event for Resource Circulation Day... Yeongdeungpo-gu Dementia Volunteer Group's Active Role... Songpa-gu Supports Elderly Mental Health Through Horticultural Therapy
[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) is building a digital archive by collecting records that capture the local community and residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the start of COVID-19 infections in 2020, the district has been gathering materials that reflect the changed daily lives and the process of overcoming the crisis, different from the pre-COVID-19 era, to create an archive.
To express gratitude to residents who actively participated in quarantine and social distancing to overcome COVID-19, the district plans to produce a collection of materials and hold an exhibition.
First, submissions will be accepted until September 30. Eligible participants include local residents, university students, or workers residing in the area. Participation can be individual or team-based.
Materials must be original works directly filmed within Jungnang-gu, submitted as up to two photos or video pieces. Any content related to COVID-19 such as vaccination, quarantine sites, screening tests, mask-wearing, and medical staff is acceptable.
Applicants should submit the application form and materials via email to the person in charge. Detailed information can be found in the district news section on the Jungnang-gu Office website. All participants will receive a mobile cultural gift certificate worth approximately 5,000 KRW.
Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi of Jungnang-gu said, “We will collect and share precious materials vividly depicting residents who have endured and overcome the crisis despite the hardships and changed daily lives caused by COVID-19, preserving them as valuable assets for all. We express our support and gratitude to the residents who worked together to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We ask for active participation in this record collection.”
In 2020, the district held an exhibition called ‘COVID-19 Vivid Memory Space’ at Jungnangcheon Junghwa 2-dong Sports Park, reusing banners posted throughout the area that expressed hopes for the end of COVID-19.
Jung-gu, Seoul (Mayor Kim Gil-sung) is hosting the ‘Hidden Treasure Market’ to raise awareness about the seriousness of waste issues and encourage recycling in celebration of Resource Circulation Day.
The event will take place on September 15 from 5 PM to 8 PM at the resting area near Exit 3 of Cheonggu Station, open to all residents.
The program consists of resource circulation education, experiences, and exhibitions. Activities include ▲‘Geumjjok Market,’ a secondhand goods market where residents participate directly ▲‘9+6=15 Exchange Center,’ where 15 transparent PET bottles can be exchanged for souvenirs ▲‘Yonggi Nae Market,’ selling cosmetically imperfect agricultural products at low prices to residents who bring their own shopping bags ▲‘Upcycling Program’ using leftover fabric, allowing participants to discover their own ‘treasures’ among discarded waste.
The district has recognized the importance of resource circulation education and has continuously operated educational programs for residents. The ‘Waste Research Institute Saerom,’ opened last year, conducted resource circulation education programs with about 600 participants ranging from infants to adults, contributing to environmental problem-solving.
Every Thursday, on recycling day, local community centers exchanged recyclable waste such as transparent PET bottles, paper packs, and used batteries for volume-based waste bags. This year, 10,000 residents participated, exchanging 40,000 volume-based waste bags, demonstrating strong community response.
Mayor Kim Gil-sung said, “During COVID-19, disposable plastic waste has surged, causing serious environmental strain. We hope this event will raise interest in environmental issues and encourage participation in waste reduction.”
Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) is leading efforts to prevent dementia and address care blind spots in the community through the active work of a specialized dementia volunteer group.
As of last year, the dementia prevalence rate among South Koreans aged 65 and older was 10.33%, meaning one in ten elderly people suffers from dementia. With the elderly population and dementia prevalence rapidly increasing each year, community interest and efforts regarding dementia are becoming more urgent.
Accordingly, the Yeongdeungpo-gu Dementia Safety Center trains and operates a specialized dementia volunteer group to assist dementia patients and their families. Currently, 117 volunteers who have completed professional training participate in three volunteer groups, performing various activities to prevent social isolation of dementia patients and reduce caregiving burdens on families and caregivers.
The ‘Phone Carries Memories Volunteer Group’ was formed by members of ‘Songari,’ a brain health group at YDP Future Lifelong Learning Center. They are matched one-on-one with elderly dementia patients living alone in the area, checking in by phone and visiting homes once a week to provide cognitive activities and companionship services.
The ‘Healing Hands Volunteer Group,’ composed of nursing students, and the ‘Semicolon Mullae Volunteer Group,’ made up of corporate workers, also conduct volunteer activities such as telephone guidance for early dementia screening, assisting cognitive program activities, and taking family photos of dementia patients, actively serving as dementia partners in the community.
An elderly person receiving help from the volunteer group expressed satisfaction, saying, “They always check on me and do various activities like worksheets and coloring, which makes life much more enjoyable than before and helps me take better care of myself.”
The district plans to gradually increase the number of volunteers so that more dementia patient households can receive assistance. Anyone interested in dementia and willing to volunteer can join, and detailed information is available at the Yeongdeungpo-gu Dementia Safety Center.
A district official said, “The specialized dementia volunteer group will serve as ‘Memory Keeper Guides,’ contributing to dementia prevention and overcoming in the community by continuously providing professional education and volunteer opportunities. We hope their activities will improve the quality of life for isolated dementia patients and their families.”
Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) is conducting a ‘Healing with Horticulture’ program for elderly residents at local senior centers.
Amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased the risk of depression in old age, the program was established to care for the mental health of seniors and alleviate social isolation.
The Public Health Center, through the Korea Senior Citizens Association Songpa Branch, selected 10 senior centers in the area and has been conducting horticultural therapy since August 16. A horticultural therapist visits the centers to guide activities such as planting Ficus benjamina trees and making single flowers, helping seniors regain psychological stability.
Last month, the program was conducted for a total of 78 participants at six centers including Namcheon, Mongchon, and Yongma senior centers, with additional sessions scheduled until September 15 at Garak Ssangyong 3rd Complex, Geoyeo 6th Complex, Beolmal, and Hosu senior centers.
An elderly participant in the horticultural therapy said, “Taking care of plants and wrapping fresh flowers made me feel like I was giving myself a gift. It was enjoyable to gather with senior center members after a long time and have a new experience.”
Mayor Seo Gang-seok stated, “We hope that seniors, who faced restrictions in community activities due to COVID-19, will gain psychological comfort and relieve depression through horticultural therapy, enabling them to live with a positive mindset.”
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