Gwangjin-gu Forms COVID-19 Prevention TF for CSAT · Swift Measures Including Transportation Support for Examinees

[Seoul District News] Gwangjin-gu Forms COVID-19 Prevention TF for College Entrance Exam, Supports Student Transport at 6 Subway Stations and Traffic Blind Spots, Provides Transport for Confirmed Cases, Operates Separate and Hospital Test Sites, Assigns Quarantined and Severe Confirmed Students... Gwangjin-gu Mayor Kim Gyeongho Sends Support Message via Official YouTube on 14th... Seongbuk-gu Implements Special Traffic Measures for 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test... Songpa-gu Deploys 33 Public and Private Vehicles for Student Transport, Establishes Special Traffic Measures for College Entrance Exam.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) is implementing comprehensive measures for the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), scheduled for the 17th, including quarantine management and traffic support.

In Gwangjin-gu, a total of 3,347 examinees are expected to take the exam at seven test sites, including Konkuk University High School.

The district first established a ‘CSAT and University-specific Evaluation Quarantine Task Force (TF)’ composed of ▲ overall situation management ▲ examinee management ▲ quarantine inspection of key facilities ▲ transportation support team. Through this TF, they plan to proactively respond to the re-spreading COVID-19 before the CSAT and provide exam opportunities to examinees in isolation or hospitalization treatment.

Test sites will be operated as general test sites, separate test sites, and hospital test sites, allowing examinees to take the exam at designated locations according to their health status.

General test sites are divided into ‘general test rooms’ and ‘separate test rooms.’ On the exam day, symptomatic examinees showing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever or cough will take the exam in separate test rooms, while asymptomatic examinees will take it in general test rooms. Separate test sites are assigned to examinees notified of isolation by quarantine authorities due to COVID-19 confirmation, and hospital test sites are assigned to severely confirmed examinees requiring hospitalization treatment.

To this end, since November 3, two weeks before the CSAT, the district has been confirming whether all tested individuals intend to take the CSAT during COVID-19 testing. Based on test results, confirmed examinees are assigned to test sites according to their condition, and those who cannot walk or drive to the test site will be transported using ambulances.

Additionally, on the CSAT day, the district operates a ‘Transportation Support Situation Room for Examinees’ to ensure safe emergency transport and establish traffic order around test sites.

Fifteen administrative vehicles from community service centers will safely transport examinees from six subway stations in the area (Gangbyeon, Konkuk University Entrance, Gwangnaru, Guui, Achasan, Junggok stations) and traffic blind spots to the test sites. Village buses passing through test sites will be concentrated in the morning to provide transportation convenience to examinees.

Furthermore, the district will intensively crack down on illegal parking around test sites, and the Gwangjin Police Station and Gwangjin Model Drivers Association will manage traffic control at test sites and surrounding intersections.

Prior to this, since November 3, the district has conducted special quarantine inspections targeting facilities around schools such as academies, study cafes, and PC rooms to thoroughly prevent COVID-19 spread among examinees.

Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, conveyed support and encouragement to examinees through the official YouTube channel on the 14th, saying, “If you prepare for the CSAT calmly as you have done so far, there will surely be good results. The CSAT is the day to blossom your efforts. Gwangjin-gu always supports your bright future.”

The district plans to hold one-on-one customized college entrance consulting for examinees and parents over two days, December 26 and 27, after the CSAT, providing practical admission information. Applications are available on the Gwangjin-gu Office website from November 28 to December 16.

Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) is implementing meticulous special traffic measures in preparation for the 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test.

In Seongbuk-gu, a total of 3,849 examinees will take the exam at 11 test sites, including Da-il Foreign Language High School. Through the 2023 CSAT special traffic measures, the district is ensuring flawless exam attendance by organizing and operating a traffic control situation room, adjusting commuting hours, increasing public transportation capacity, deploying emergency transport vehicles for examinees, managing traffic and cracking down on illegal parking around test sites, and providing separate transport support for examinees with fever symptoms.

The 2023 CSAT special traffic measures in Seongbuk-gu are coordinated by the Traffic Administration Division as the control tower, with cooperation from all departments, the public health center, and 20 community service centers.

The Traffic Administration Division operates the traffic control situation room, manages village bus standby vehicles and concentrated dispatch, assigns public officials for guidance at each test site, supports examinee transport with district administrative vehicles, reports and disseminates emergency situations, and patrols test sites. The Traffic Guidance Division is responsible for cracking down on illegal parking around test sites, controlling vehicle entry and exit and parking within 200 meters of test sites, and intensively managing illegal parking on arterial roads within a 2 km radius of test sites. Construction-related departments such as the Residential Maintenance Division and Architecture Division manage noise prevention and construction suspension around test sites. The public health center supports separate transport for examinees with fever symptoms on exam day.

Additionally, the 20 community service centers use administrative vehicles to stand by at 12 subway stations and traffic blind spots within the district, providing safe emergency transport for examinees to test sites.

Seongbuk-gu also runs a campaign to encourage residents’ active cooperation for smooth exam attendance by urging ▲ refraining from using private cars during examinee commuting hours (6:00 AM to 8:10 AM) ▲ walking short distances (commuting to work/school) ▲ giving priority seating to examinees on public transport ▲ refraining from accompanying examinees with seniors, friends, or peers for encouragement ▲ driving slowly and refraining from honking near test sites.

Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, who has delivered special messages to parents and examinees every year, said again this year, “I thank the parents who have quietly cared for their examinee children and am proud of all of you who have persevered day by day. Seongbuk-gu supports the dreams of all examinees.” He added, “Many people including administration, police, and residents are devoted and cheering to ensure examinees attend the CSAT without disruption. Examinees should manage their health well and fully demonstrate their abilities.”

Seokangseok, Mayor of Songpa District

Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) has established and is implementing special traffic measures to provide transportation convenience and safe transport for examinees taking the College Scholastic Ability Test on the 17th.

In Songpa-gu, there are 18 test sites in total: 16 general test sites and 2 separate test sites (Seoul Physical Education High School, Artificial Intelligence High School), with 9,109 examinees taking the exam.

Accordingly, on exam day, 33 private and public vehicles marked with examinee transport support notices will be stationed near subway stations and bus stops close to test sites. About 200 volunteers, including district employees, the Model Drivers Association, and the Green Mothers’ Association, will provide guidance and traffic control around test sites and key points.

Especially, the 200-meter radius around test sites will be a concentrated illegal parking crackdown zone, with strong measures such as fines and towing.

The district has urged employees to use public transportation and requested cooperation from related agencies to prevent noise from road excavation and construction near test sites.

Additionally, a COVID-19 quarantine management TF has been formed to maintain a 24-hour emergency duty system from the day before the CSAT and support the movement of self-quarantined examinees, focusing on minimizing infection risks in the community.

After the CSAT, the district will conduct inspections and crackdowns targeting school surroundings and areas dense with harmful businesses to improve the youth harmful environment, continuing meticulous administration.

Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, “I hope all examinees taking the exam can perform at their best condition. Related departments and agencies will cooperate actively to create a safe and comfortable exam atmosphere.”

Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) has formed a Jungnang TF team and launched a thorough quarantine response system in preparation for the 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test, which is just two days away.

There are 2,231 examinees in Jungnang-gu, including repeaters, with test sites set up at eight local schools (Myeonmok High School, Songgok High School, Songgok Girls’ High School, Sinhyeon High School, Wonmuk High School, Junghwa High School, Taereung High School, Hyewon Girls’ High School).

The district explained that it is implementing quarantine measures to create a safe exam environment and minimize infection risks for examinees and the community.

The Jungnang TF team consists of 10 members from five departments: Education Support, Health Administration, Health Promotion, Hygiene, and Pharmaceutical Affairs. The TF team supports all examinees to take the exam without issues.

They have prepared separate test sites for students who are confirmed positive, in isolation, or showing symptoms on the exam day.

Those under home treatment will take the exam at separate test sites set up at Kyunghee High School and Kyunghee Girls’ High School, while those hospitalized will take the exam at the test site inside Hyemin Hospital. Symptomatic examinees on the day will take the exam in separate rooms within general test sites.

The Jungnang TF team will maintain a 24-hour emergency duty system from 9 AM on the 16th, the day before the CSAT, until 9 AM on the 17th. They will promptly notify confirmed examinees of their test sites and provide guidance, including those confirmed positive on the day or the day before. Since November 3, they have also been confirming whether COVID-19 positive or isolated individuals are examinees.

Furthermore, considering visits by students and families, disinfection around the eight test sites has been strengthened. They are intensively inspecting compliance with quarantine rules at about 1,000 places including karaoke rooms, PC rooms, game establishments, academies, tutoring centers, and study cafes near schools.

Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said, “I hope good results come to all examinees who have worked hard for many days to achieve their goals. We will do our best to ensure a safe environment for the exam by focusing on quarantine through the TF team.”

Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) is implementing special traffic measures in preparation for the ‘2023 College Scholastic Ability Test’ scheduled for the 17th.

There are a total of 2,734 examinees in Yeongdeungpo-gu. Exams will be held at nine schools: six general test sites including Yeongdeungpo Girls’ High School, Yeouido Girls’ High School, and Gwanak High School; two separate test sites for COVID-19 self-quarantined examinees (Yeouido High School, Janghoon High School); and one special test site for mildly visually impaired examinees (Yeouido Middle School).

The district plans to operate a traffic control situation team to monitor traffic conditions around test sites through close communication with Seoul city and related agencies, preparing for rapid response to any unusual incidents.

First, on the day before the exam, the 16th, parking restriction notices will be posted around test sites. On the exam day, seven teams of two enforcement officers each will be deployed to intensively crack down on illegal parking within 200 meters of test sites.

On exam day, village buses passing through test sites will be concentrated, and traffic control will be conducted from 6 AM to 8 AM to prevent congestion around test sites.

Additionally, 18 major guidance points including Yeongdeungpo Station, Daerim Station, and Mullae Station have been designated, and free shuttle vehicles will operate between these points and test sites. A total of 37 vehicles and 122 personnel, including administrative vehicles from community service centers and volunteer vehicles, will assist examinee transportation.

The Seoul Automobile Professional Maintenance Business Association Yeongdeungpo Branch will also support volunteer vehicles at the Mullae Station intersection to help transport examinees.

For COVID-19 isolated examinees, monitoring will be completed by the day before the exam, and if necessary, transport to test sites will be supported using 119 emergency services, public health centers, or private ambulances.

For inquiries about transport support or in case of emergencies on exam day, contact the Yeongdeungpo-gu Traffic Control Situation Room.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, said, “We plan to provide maximum administrative convenience so that examinees who have worked hard for a long time can focus solely on the exam in a comfortable environment. We ask residents to refrain from using private cars as much as possible and actively use public transportation to avoid traffic congestion on the CSAT day.”

Dongjak-gu (Mayor Park Il-ha) is making every effort by preparing special traffic measures to provide convenience and safe transport for examinees in preparation for the 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test on the 17th.

This year, 3,270 examinees will take the exam at seven test sites in Dongjak-gu, including Kyungmoon High School and Dongjak High School. The district has established thorough measures to ensure examinees can take the exam stably.

On the CSAT day, from 6 AM to 9 AM, the district will set up and operate a Traffic Support Headquarters to oversee traffic conditions and prepare for emergencies.

From 6:30 AM to 8:10 AM, a total of 18 administrative vehicles from the district office and each community will be mobilized around subway stations such as Noryangjin Station, Isu Station, and Sindaebang Station, as well as major intersections, to provide emergency transport for examinees and conduct a ‘Give Priority to Examinees’ campaign.

Additionally, village bus dispatch intervals will be adjusted to concentrate operation during examinee transport times, and corporate taxis will be supported to operate intensively between subway stations, bus stops, and test sites.

To ensure smooth conduct of the third period English listening test, the district will request construction sites and commercial establishments to control surrounding noise, restrict vehicle entry and exit within 300 meters of test sites, and strengthen intersection management and illegal parking crackdowns.

Moreover, the district operates a ‘CSAT Quarantine Response Team’ to protect examinees safely from COVID-19.

They will promptly assign isolated examinees to separate test sites and provide vehicle support for those unable to move independently, organizing an emergency standby team from 6 PM the day before the exam until 9 AM on exam day to ensure thorough examinee management.

Park Il-ha, Mayor of Dongjak-gu, said, “We will do our best at the district level to ensure examinees can take the exam comfortably and stably. We also ask residents for much cooperation, such as refraining from honking, so examinees do not face difficulties.”

Jeon Seong-su, Seocho District Mayor

Seocho-gu is actively supporting the ‘K-Classic Talent Discovery’ to lay the foundation for ‘Cultural and Artistic City Seocho.’

Seocho-gu (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) will sign a business agreement on the 15th at 11 AM in the Seocho-gu Office executive office with the Hyupsung Chang-ae Scholarship Foundation (Chairman Kim Cheong-ryong), Hyupsung Construction (CEO Na Guk-woon), and Seocho Cultural Foundation (CEO Park Dong-ho) to promote and develop culture and arts in Seocho.

The main point of this agreement is to establish a comprehensive mutual cooperation system for the promotion and development of culture and arts in Seocho, with particular significance in laying the groundwork for discovering K-Classic talents.

Through this agreement, the Hyupsung Chang-ae Scholarship Foundation will provide 150 million KRW annually in scholarships and awards related to classical education and cultural arts activities for audition-winning students.

Hyupsung Construction plans to support 50 million KRW annually for event support to discover K-Classic talents. Additionally, the Seocho Cultural Foundation will provide administrative support such as venue provision for audition hosting.

Furthermore, over the next 10 years, they plan to mutually support various cultural and artistic events and activities to expand cultural and artistic enjoyment opportunities and lead cultural projects for the local community.

On the same day at 4 PM, to celebrate this agreement, a collaborative concert performance between the winners of the ‘1st Hyupsung Young Artist Concerto Audition’ and the Seocho Symphony Orchestra (conductor Bae Jong-hoon) will be held at Banpo Simsang Art Hall, providing cultural enjoyment opportunities and a warm moment of comfort for residents.

Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho-gu, said, “I hope Seocho-gu becomes a cradle for discovering K-Classic talents through this business agreement and that it will lay the foundation for Seocho as a cultural and artistic city.”

Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon) will hold auditions to recruit actors for the musical ‘Les Mis?rables,’ involving youth and local residents, on November 19 at 10 AM at the Geumcheon Musical Center.

The musical production will select actors divided into two teams: a student team and a local resident team. After three months of rehearsals, the performances will be staged in February next year at the Geumnarae Art Hall.

Watching both the student-cast and local resident-cast productions of Les Mis?rables together is expected to offer a unique pleasure to musical lovers in the community.

The musical Les Mis?rables, based on the literary work by French author Victor Hugo, conveys universal human values of love, justice, and noble humanity through elegant melodies and diverse ensembles, continuously loved by many fans worldwide.

Students or residents wishing to participate can apply by searching for Les Mis?rables under ‘Integrated Reservation - Other Reservations’ on the Geumcheon-gu Office website.

Yoo Sung-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, said, “We will strive to enable youth and local residents to participate in various performances and arts education programs. We will continue to focus on forming a cultural city brand through musical-specialized content.”

Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced it will operate a psychological support program for youth who have experienced psychological trauma.

‘Psychological trauma’ refers to psychological difficulties occurring when an individual directly or indirectly experiences a shocking event or accident. According to the National Trauma Center of the National Center for Mental Health, disaster survivors may experience psychological trauma, grief, loss, anger, guilt, and social/life stress for several days. Children and adolescents are explained to be more affected by disasters.

However, during incidents or accidents, recovery efforts focusing on basic needs and compensation tend to take priority, often sidelining the emotional needs of youth. Therefore, the district’s ‘Youth Safety Net Integrated Support Center’ leads the operation of the ‘Youth Disaster Psychological Support Program’ to help stabilize the psychology of youth exposed directly or indirectly to disasters, various accidents, and violence, and to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder.

The program mainly consists of psychological counseling and psychological trauma stabilization education. All victimized youth needing counseling related to various incidents and accidents can receive 1:1 emergency psychological counseling and participate in psychological stabilization programs in various forms such as 1:1, group, or class sessions. As of October this year, 460 youth have received counseling and emotional support through the Nowon-gu Youth Safety Net Integrated Support Center.

The psychological trauma stabilization education is designed to help youth recover daily life and grow, preventing trauma from lingering. To facilitate smooth education and sustained effects, a dedicated kit is produced and utilized. The kit includes ▲ program worksheets ▲ a set for making personalized therapeutic scents ▲ stress balls ▲ leaflets.

The program worksheets include a post-traumatic stress symptom questionnaire, a diary, and information on available support institutions, providing time for self-understanding and care. The personally made perfume and stress ball will serve as tools to calm the mind when symptoms arise in daily life.

The center is thoroughly promoting the program to schools, which are closest to youth, to ensure swift community-wide cooperation. On the 15th, education will be conducted at the district office small auditorium for about 40 middle and high school counselors and related agency staff, covering characteristics of youth psychological issues, counseling intervention methods, and introducing the center and psychological support program. Psychological stabilization kits will also be distributed with usage guidance.

Since 2021, the district has installed the nation’s first district-operated ‘Youth Safety Net Integrated Support Center,’ currently staffed by five district employees, one Nowon Police SPO officer, and four youth counseling welfare center staff. Rapid information sharing enables youth-centered customized support and integrated case management. Up to October this year, 410 people have used the center.

Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, said, “We developed this program for youth vulnerable to psychological trauma during incidents and accidents. We will actively respond together with civil, public, and police sectors to ensure all youth can grow safely and healthily.”

Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Seong-heon) will hold a Youth Model United Nations (UN) conference from the 18th to the 20th, a 2-night, 3-day event, at the Seoul YMCA Goyang International Youth Culture Center Ustrel in cooperation with Seoul YMCA to enhance youth understanding of international issues.

The conference, themed ‘International Discussions on Disease Spread Prevention Post-COVID-19,’ will be conducted by Korean and English committees, with about 30 middle and high school students residing or studying in Seodaemun-gu participating.

They will act as mock delegates from over 30 countries worldwide (including Germany, the United States, Myanmar, Sweden, the United Kingdom, China, Congo, Poland, Australia, etc.), discussing agenda items from their assigned country’s perspective, drafting, and presenting resolutions.

Outstanding participating youth will receive awards from the Seodaemun-gu Mayor and the Seoul YMCA President, and university student chairs and staff supporting the conference will receive awards from the Seodaemun-gu Mayor.

On October 22, a preliminary meeting was held at the Seodaemun-gu Office auditorium and conference room, introducing the conference schedule, training on meeting procedures and keynote speech writing, country assignments, and global citizenship education.

Lee Seong-heon, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, said, “I hope this Model UN conference will help youth develop insight into international issues and learn the values of cooperation and coexistence.”