Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, Receives Applause for 'Alleyway Communication' Initiative?

Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, Visits Junggok 3-dong to Meet Senior Citizens at Senior Centers and Visit Vulnerable Households for Communication... Part of Key Project 'Neighborhood Communication' in the 8th Term, Biweekly Visits to Livelihood Sites for Candid Dialogue with Residents from All Walks of Life

Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin District, 'Alley Route' Walk

Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin District, Takes Steps for 'Neighborhood Care'

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) launched the ‘Alleyway Senior Care’ and ‘Alleyway Support’ programs on the 16th, starting with the first step in Junggok 3-dong together with residents.

The ‘Alleyway Senior Care’ and ‘Alleyway Support’ programs with residents were established to visit the living sites of elderly and vulnerable residents in the area, communicate with them, and actively reflect residents’ opinions in policies.

Through ‘Alleyway Senior Care,’ Mayor Kim Kyung-ho of Gwangjin-gu meets with elderly residents at local senior centers every other Tuesday to check on their well-being and listen to any inconveniences or suggestions.

"Dear elders! I should have visited you earlier, I apologize." "Mayor, please try the sikhye I made myself."

On this day, Mayor Kim spent time with the elders of Junggok 3-dong.

"Please help develop the area a lot." "The TV doesn’t work well; please replace it with a bigger one." "Please change the karaoke machine."

The elders shared various opinions ranging from regional development to daily inconveniences. Responding to their request to sing their favorite songs, Mayor Kim passionately sang the popular song ‘Mujogeon (No Matter What),’ continuing sincere communication at their level.

Following the Alleyway Senior Care, the ‘Alleyway Support’ program visits vulnerable households in the area every other Tuesday to check on their well-being, prevent welfare blind spots, connect them with essential welfare services, and provide assistance through communication.

On this day, visits were made to a single elderly household in their 90s and a single-parent family. Mayor Kim hurriedly moved, concerned about the elderly person’s health and living environment.

"Who is it?" "It’s the mayor, the mayor!"

Visiting a semi-basement home, Mayor Kim greeted the elderly resident with a strong voice due to their hearing difficulties. He checked the elder’s health and carefully inspected their living space by attaching insulating air caps to the windows to block the cold wind this winter. The elder repeatedly expressed joy and gratitude, holding Mayor Kim’s hand.

"You are truly admirable." At the next visit to the single-parent family, Mayor Kim encouraged the mother raising two children alone. He introduced various programs such as support for CSAT online lectures and school trip expenses, and instructed the district staff to explore ways to connect support with the ‘200 Household Care Project.’

"Your care means a lot to me," the mother said, expressing hope that her children could receive support for academies or studies. Mayor Kim replied, "The most important thing is communication. You need to tell us what you need so we can help more. Thank you for your opinions; we will actively review them."

The Alleyway Senior Care and Alleyway Support are part of the ‘Alleyway Communication’ initiative, a key project of the 8th local government administration. Alleyway Communication consists of five themes: ▲Cleaning ▲Support ▲Senior Care ▲Listening ▲Volunteering.

Mayor Kim Kyung-ho travels throughout Gwangjin-gu, holding sincere meetings with residents from all walks of life, reflecting their opinions in district administration through diverse communication, and promoting the development of the district.

Mayor Kim Kyung-ho of Gwangjin-gu said, “Welfare is no longer a benefit but a right of the residents. We can help if you just reach out, so no one should worry alone; please keep talking and making requests to the district.” He plans to continue visiting various living sites and maintain close, level-headed communication with residents.