Lee Jung-mi, Chair Gil Ki-young, and Assemblyman Song Jae-cheon (right) are exchanging opinions with representatives of Namsanwon.
Seoul Jung-gu Council Members Visit Jung-gu Public Senior Care Center and Namsanwon to Deliver Consolation Gifts
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The first step of the new year for the Seoul Jung-gu Council (Chairman Gil Gi-young) was to head to local welfare facilities.
Chairman Gil Gi-young, Councilors Lee Jeong-mi, Song Jae-cheon, and Jo Mi-jung visited the Jung-gu Public Senior Care Center located in Pildong, Jung-gu, and the social welfare corporation Namsanwon located in Yejang-dong on the 3rd and 5th of this month.
On the 3rd, the council members visited the Jung-gu Public Senior Care Center. Considering the nature of the care facility housing elderly seniors, the council members' visit was limited to restricted areas such as the meeting room.
After listening to Director Jeon Mi-ae of the Jung-gu Public Senior Care Center about the facility’s operational status and current issues, the council members inquired about the center’s future operational plans and the difficulties faced by the staff, sharing their opinions on these matters. They then delivered consolation gifts consisting of daily necessities they had prepared, expressing gratitude and encouragement to the staff.
The council members stated, “We thank all those involved who sincerely provide welfare services so that the elderly can enjoy a peaceful old age despite the difficulties caused by COVID-19. The council is also actively considering plans to support the elderly’s leisure activities through talent donations or sponsorships from the local community on occasions such as Senior Citizens Day or Parents’ Day.”
On the 5th, they visited the social welfare corporation Namsanwon. Namsanwon is a local child welfare facility that protects children from newborns to 18 years old who cannot receive care at home, supporting their independence, education, and emotional support programs.
Children who receive care at local facilities like this eventually leave when they reach a certain age, but due to practical difficulties in acquiring sufficient independence skills, many children who leave care easily fall into poverty. This social issue concerning children aging out of care has been raised for several years.
In July 2021, the government announced a plan to extend the age of care termination from the current 18 years to up to 24 years old based on the individual’s will. The Jung-gu Council also institutionalized the obligation of local governments to support children who have left child welfare facilities or whose protection has ended by passing the “Ordinance on Support for Children Leaving Child Welfare Facilities in Jung-gu, Seoul” at the April 2021 plenary session, which stipulates administrative and financial support necessary for their independence.
On this day, the council members listened to Director Park Heung-sik of the social welfare corporation Namsanwon regarding the status of the children and the facility’s operations, and delivered snacks such as bread and beverages prepared with gratitude to the staff.
Chairman Gil Gi-young said, “We will consider ways to expand local community support through various channels such as goods, sponsorships, and donations so that children can receive better care. While financial support is important for children, it is also essential for them to have opportunities to gain new experiences outside of facilities. At the council level, we will explore various methods, including the ‘Council Children’s Field Trip Program,’ to broaden children’s perspectives on the world.”
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