Seongdong-gu Provides 'Visiting Thawing Support Service' for Low-Income Vulnerable Groups

[Seoul District News] Seongdong-gu Provides 'Visiting Thawing Support Service' for Low-Income Vulnerable Groups Facing Frozen Water Pipes Until March Next Year & Immediate Response Without Waiting When Reported, Emergency Welfare Support for Repair Costs of Frozen Meters... Gangbuk-gu Launches Full-Scale Snow Removal Measures for Winter Heavy Snow

Visiting vulnerable households through the On-site Thawing Support Service to repair frozen water pipes and other issues

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jeong Won-oh) is conducting a “Visiting Thawing Support Service” (hereinafter referred to as the thawing service) for vulnerable households struggling with frozen water pipes due to the cold wave, from this month until March next year, for four months.

The sudden cold wave brings biting winds. With continuous subzero temperatures, damages such as frozen water pipes are ongoing. The thawing service, which melts frozen water pipes for vulnerable groups such as basic livelihood security recipients and lower-income households, includes inspection of the water pipe condition and prompt initial response. If additional inspection is needed, it also connects them with professional service providers.

Residents wishing to receive the thawing support service can contact the welfare team at their local community service center within Seongdong-gu or apply directly to the Seongdong-gu Urban Management Corporation.

To this end, the district formed a mobile maintenance team with 16 specialized personnel from the Urban Management Corporation donating their skills. Upon receiving a freezing report, they immediately visit the household, inspect the water pipe condition, and perform thawing work to quickly carry out initial measures.

If further inspection is deemed necessary after the on-site visit, temporary measures will be taken before connecting the case to a professional service company. Also, if repair costs arise due to frozen meters or other equipment, support for repair expenses may be provided through Seoul-type emergency welfare support.

Meanwhile, since 2018, Seongdong-gu has been operating the “Chakchak Seongdong Living Civil Complaint Mobile Unit” for vulnerable households such as people with disabilities and elderly living alone, swiftly resolving small inconveniences in residents’ daily lives, including difficult tasks like replacing light bulbs, repairing washbasins and water pipes, and attaching insulating air caps and curtains.

Jeong Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “We will promptly resolve inconveniences and difficulties in the daily lives of vulnerable groups through winter season life-oriented services,” adding, “We will continue to listen to residents’ voices to address their small inconveniences and implement diverse policies.”

Lee Soon-hee, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu (far right), participated in the snow removal equipment and vehicle test operation training.

Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Soon-hee) is implementing full-scale snow removal measures to prepare for winter heavy snowfall until March 15 next year.

First, on November 24 and 29, the district conducted snow removal equipment and vehicle test operation training twice at the snow removal base. The training was attended by Mayor Lee Soon-hee of Gangbuk-gu and snow removal officials, who explained the preparations for the 2022/23 snow removal measures and overall snow removal work procedures during heavy snowfall.

The district currently possesses 28 snow removal vehicles, 119 snow removal equipment units, and 1,950 tons of snow removal agents, which will be used to carry out thorough snow removal operations on 118 routes covering 227 km, including main roads.

Additionally, to make it easier for anyone to spread snow removal agents, the packaging has been changed to 5 kg units. Previously, snow removal agents were stocked in 15 to 25 kg units, which were heavy and caused safety accidents when spread by women and the elderly. A district official added, “We changed the packaging method to consider the vulnerable and to establish a foundation where everyone can participate in snow removal.”

Moreover, the district will resume the “Snow Removal Measures Promotion Campaign,” which was suspended due to COVID-19, after three years. Although the district mobilizes all available personnel and equipment during heavy snowfall in winter, effective snow removal is difficult when large amounts of snow fall.

Therefore, the district plans to promote a voluntary snow removal culture by practicing the “Clear Snow in Front of Your House and Store” campaign to ensure that the elderly and children can walk safely. Also, snow removal promotional videos created as child-friendly animations will be distributed to all kindergartens and elementary schools in the area to raise children’s awareness of community spirit and the importance of snow removal for disaster prevention.

Lee Soon-hee, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, “As sudden heavy snowfall due to climate change can occur, we will prepare thoroughly and meticulously to face the winter,” adding, “We will do our best to ensure that residents can spend the winter safely.”