[Photo] Launch of Dongdaemun-gu Youth Policy Committee ... Launch of Gangnam-gu Reconstruction Dream Support TF Advisory Group

[Seoul District News] Dongdaemun-gu to Hold Youth Policy Committee on 18th Aiming to Create a Youth-Friendly City ... Gangnam-gu Reconstruction Dream Support TF Advisory Group Composed of 20 Experts (Lawyers, Judicial Scriveners, Tax Accountants, Architects, etc.) to Provide Advice for Rapid Reconstruction Plan Implementation ... Kim Kyungho, Gwangjin-gu Mayor, Congratulates Elderly Long-Term Tournament on 18th ... Choi Hogwon, Yeongdeungpo-gu Mayor, Test Rides Bus No. 6713 Operating in Singil New Town on 17th & First Bus Starts at 4:30 AM from Cheolsan-dong on 17th

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) held the ‘2022 1st Youth Policy Committee’ on the 18th at the 5th floor Planning Situation Room of Dongdaemun-gu Office.

Including Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, a total of 17 members (7 ex officio, 10 appointed) attended the event, where appointment letters were awarded and in-depth discussions were held on development plans related to youth policies, youth policy promotion, and youth culture creation. Additionally, Professor Song Ji-hee from the Department of Business Administration at University of Seoul was elected as the appointed vice-chairperson.

The ‘2022 1st Youth Policy Committee’ was held to guarantee active social participation opportunities for youth in Dongdaemun-gu, solve issues such as youth employment and housing, and create a Dongdaemun-gu where young people can settle stably.

Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, said, “Dongdaemun-gu is home to prestigious universities such as Kyung Hee University, University of Seoul, Samyook University, and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, providing ample youth resources, but there is a lack of youth infrastructure and startup spaces that can connect young talents and create synergy effects.” He added, “To integrate good ideas from youth, the creation of youth communities and startup spaces must precede.”

He also stated, “Furthermore, a youth valley at the Dongdaemun level that can nurture startups leading future industries should be established. Through the Youth Policy Committee, we will prepare practical alternatives for youth employment and housing issues to make Dongdaemun-gu a better place for young people to live.”

Gangnam-gu (Mayor Cho Seong-myeong) held an appointment ceremony for the Reconstruction Dream Support TF Advisory Committee at the district office on the 18th.

The advisory committee, composed of 20 experts in reconstruction (lawyers, judicial scriveners, tax accountants, architects, etc.), plans to provide advice for the rapid promotion of reconstruction maintenance plans, review rapid integrated planning proposals, collect residents’ opinions and provide education, and mediate conflicts.

Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, struck the gong to signal the start of the ‘16th Gwangjin-gu Senior Janggi (Korean chess) Tournament’ held at the Gwangjin-gu Office auditorium on the 18th, hosted by the Korea Senior Citizens Association Gwangjin Branch (Chairman Hwang Gap-seok).

The district prepared this tournament so that seniors with the same hobby could socialize, harmonize, and enjoy themselves, regaining vitality along with mental agility. They also aimed to learn wisdom and insight demonstrated through seniors’ experience in Janggi matches.

As this tournament was held for the first time in three years due to COVID-19, about 300 people including Mayor Kim Kyung-ho, members of the National Assembly, city and district council members, and seniors from Gwangjin-gu attended to brighten the event.

Mayor Kim Kyung-ho of Gwangjin-gu encouraged, “Just as a game of Janggi involves choices, hardships, and the thrill of a comeback, so does our life. Having gone through good and sad times, happy moments and difficult periods, I hope today’s matches will be splendidly played.”

The 64 players were selected in advance from seniors aged 65 or older residing in Gwangjin-gu. The players competed in morning and afternoon matches according to the Korean Janggi Federation’s referee regulations.

The total match time was 30 minutes per game; matches up to the round of 16 were held in a league format, and subsequent matches were conducted as a knockout tournament. The competition concluded with the final, and players ranked from 1st to 8th received awards.

A senior who observed the tournament said, “It was a joyful time to watch Janggi games with peers after a long time. We have passion and stamina comparable to young people, so I would appreciate if more tournaments for our age group are held in the future.”

Mayor Kim Kyung-ho promised to make further efforts to enhance seniors’ leisure activities and welfare.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, held a test ride event on the afternoon of the 17th for the newly operated city bus No. 6713.

The No. 6713 city bus started its first run at 4:30 a.m. on the 17th, operating from Cheolsan-dong through Sinpung Station, Singil-ro, Singil New Town, Yeouido, and Hongdae Entrance Station.

On the day, Mayor Choi rode the bus with local residents, traveling round-trip from Boramae SK View Apartment stop to the National Assembly to celebrate the opening of the route and wish for safe operation.

Mayor Choi Ho-kwon of Yeongdeungpo-gu said, “Singil New Town has had difficult transportation conditions without any city bus routes, causing great inconvenience to residents. I hope this new bus route will be a small gift to the residents, and we will continue to carefully attend to even small details to improve the quality of life for residents.”

Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) is taking the lead in improving the housing environment for low-income vulnerable groups in partnership with KT Estate and Lotte Construction.

On the 17th, the district signed a ‘Gwangjin-gu - KT Estate - Lotte Construction Vulnerable Group Housing Environment Improvement Project Business Agreement’ at Gwangjin-gu Office.

This agreement was prepared to provide clean and organized housing environments to vulnerable residents in the region by linking corporate social contribution activities.

Through the agreement, Gwangjin-gu, KT Estate, and Lotte Construction will support wallpapering, flooring, painting work, replacement of wiring, lighting, and outlets, and lock repairs for 15 low-income vulnerable households.

The support targets include recipients of basic national livelihood security, near-poverty groups, single-parent families, and case management subjects in housing welfare blind spots with poor housing conditions, selected considering income level and housing circumstances among candidates recommended by the community service centers.

In particular, the district plans to increase satisfaction by conducting customized environmental improvements per household through resident demand surveys and on-site visits, such as replacing LED lights and providing desks, chairs, and bookshelves for youth households, and installing safety handrails, anti-slip bathroom features, and adjustable sink heights for elderly households.

Mayor Kim Kyung-ho of Gwangjin-gu said, “The housing environment improvement project for low-income vulnerable groups is a project that provides practical help to residents in connection with companies. We will continue to discover various public-private social contribution programs and strive to spread a culture of sharing.”

Meanwhile, Gwangjin-gu is promoting various projects such as moving cost support for vulnerable groups and repair services for minor breakdowns in single-person vulnerable households to improve housing convenience for low-income residents.

Lee Ki-jae, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, visited the site of the ‘Hope Sharing Laundry’ volunteer event for washing blankets for elderly living alone in the region, held on the morning of the 17th at the public parking lot of Gyeongchang Market, personally helping by stepping on the laundry.

The ‘Hope Sharing Laundry,’ organized through collaboration between Sinwol 2-dong Residents’ Autonomy Committee and the Korean Red Cross Yangcheon Branch, is a pick-up laundry service for elderly living alone with mobility difficulties, planned to help provide a comfortable sleeping environment.

Before the event, Sinwol 2-dong Community Service Center conducted a preliminary welfare demand survey targeting 20 elderly living alone households and collected about 40 blankets.

On the day, Mayor Lee, members of Sinwol 2-dong Residents’ Autonomy Committee, and volunteers completed washing and antibacterial drying of blankets using a mobile laundry vehicle supported by the Korean Red Cross, then delivered them directly to the homes of elderly living alone along with daily necessities and snacks.

Mayor Lee Ki-jae said, “I thank Sinwol 2-dong Residents’ Autonomy Committee for planning this specialized project that shares bright hope with the elderly like freshly washed blankets. We will operate warm district administration so that Yangcheon can be a friendly community where neighbors care for neighbors.”

Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, held a ‘Delivery Ceremony of Quarantine Supplies for Improving the Treatment of Long-term Care Workers in Nowon-gu’ at the mayor’s office at 1:30 p.m. on the 17th.

The ceremony was attended by Mayor Oh Seung-rok, Jung Chan-mi, President of the Seoul Caregivers Association, Lee Seong-ja, Vice President of the Northeast Region, Lee Myung-hee, President of Nowon-gu Branch, Choi Kyung-rim, Director of the Northeast Senior Care Worker Support Center, and Kim Ji-yeon, Operations Team Leader, proceeding with the delivery and photo session.

According to the Ordinance on the Improvement of Treatment and Status of Long-term Care Workers in Nowon-gu, Seoul, the district delivered 7,500 COVID-19 self-test kits to the Seoul Caregivers Association (Nowon-gu branch) and supported a total of 6,309 workers at 164 home care and home nursing welfare equipment provision offices in the region.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok of Nowon-gu said, “Although COVID-19 has eased, workers at elderly welfare facilities are still exposed to infection risks, so we provided self-test kits. We will continue to strive to create a safe working environment for long-term care workers and others.”

Kim Tae-woo, Mayor of Gangseo-gu, Seoul, attended the awards ceremony of the ‘23rd Korea Ariban Calligraphy and Literary Painting Contest’ held at Gangseo Cultural Center on the 17th and congratulated the winners.

The ‘Korea Ariban Calligraphy and Literary Painting Contest,’ now in its 23rd year, started in 1993 as the ‘1st Gangseo Calligraphy Contest’ and has used its current name since 2008.

It is an ink fragrance festival held in Gangseo-gu, the hometown of the renowned artist Jeong Seon, to preserve and develop Korea’s traditional culture.

This contest saw fierce competition with a total of 237 works submitted by 121 artists in four categories: Korean calligraphy, Chinese calligraphy, literary painting, and calligraphy art.

Im Ja, a writer, won the grand prize with ‘Star,’ and Byeon Geun-joo won the excellence award with ‘Kim So-wol Poem Gaeyeoul.’

The awards ceremony was attended by Mayor Kim, Kim Jin-ho, Director of Gangseo Cultural Center, and Hong Hyun-sook, President of Gangseo Calligraphers Association, where awards were presented and artists’ works introduced.

Mayor Kim Tae-woo said, “Calligraphy is the essence of Eastern art that reflects the thoughts and wisdom of our ancestors through beautiful paintings and writings, revealing the character and spirit of the brush holder. I deeply thank the artists who always strive to preserve our precious traditional culture.” He added, “We will continue to provide generous support for traditional and modern arts to make Gangseo-gu a place full of culture and arts where local artists can be active and residents can enjoy diverse cultures.”

Meanwhile, Gangseo Cultural Center is exhibiting the award-winning works of the ‘23rd Korea Ariban Calligraphy and Literary Painting Contest’ until the 22nd.

Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) announced on the 7th that it signed a business agreement with Gangnam Himchan Hospital and Olympic Hospital to link the ‘Discharged Patient Care SOS Center’ and provide integrated care services.

By forming a network with local medical institutions, the district aims to provide one-stop care services to fill care gaps for discharged patients and support them in maintaining healthy lives.

Until now, discharged patients needing Care SOS Center services had to visit the community service center or apply by phone. With this agreement, care services can be applied for through the medical institution before discharge, enabling one-stop care from discharge to home.

Medical social workers identify and assess patients needing care among those scheduled for discharge and refer them to the Songpa-gu Care SOS Center. Care managers at the community service center then establish care plans and provide customized services based on pre-information received from the hospital.

The services focus on temporary home care where care workers visit homes to provide assistance, accompaniment support for essential outings such as hospital or government offices, housing convenience services including simple repairs, cleaning, and disinfection, and meal delivery to maintain basic dietary needs.

The support targets residents of Songpa-gu aged 50 and above in middle and older age groups, seniors aged 65 and above, and persons with disabilities. If their income is below 100% of the median income (1-person household monthly income of 1,944,812 KRW), the service cost is fully supported; otherwise, self-payment is required.

Mayor Seo Gang-seok of Songpa-gu said, “I hope this agreement will provide appropriate service support to vulnerable groups in need. We will do our best to build a dense and robust integrated care system and create an environment without welfare blind spots so that all residents can enjoy a healthy life.”