[One Day 10,000 Steps One Day 1,000 Characters] From 9988 to 7979... Seoul Transforms into a Better City for Walking and Writing

Wrist Doctor '9988', Support Age Expanded to 19-69
'7979 Seoul Running Crew' Running Every Evening
Expansion of Book Reading at Seoul Plaza
Establishment of Seoul-Style Waterfront Sensory City Hub

[Asia Economy Reporter Myunghwan Lee] The Seoul-style healthcare project ‘Sonmok Doctor 9988,’ which helps citizens manage their health remotely through smartwatches and mobile applications, will change starting this year. The eligible age range has been expanded from 19-64 years old to 19-69 years old. The project name ‘Sonmok Doctor 9988’ symbolizes the hope that all Seoul citizens live vigorously (88) until the age of 99 using smartwatches. Since last month, Seoul has been recruiting 180,000 participants for ‘Sonmok Doctor 9988.’ Participants can enjoy personalized health management services with a smartwatch loaned free of charge, and earn points by successfully completing health activity missions. Points are awarded as incentives to encourage continuous health activities when missions such as walking more than 8,000 steps are achieved. One point equals one Korean won, with a maximum of 100,000 points available. Points can be used like cash at hospitals, pharmacies, gyms, optical shops, convenience stores, and more. Owners of Galaxy Watch or Apple Watch can participate in the project using their own smartwatches.

The currently recruiting second phase has added mental care and home training (home training) services. In 2021, 50,000 participants were recruited and the first pilot project was conducted until July last year. As a result, participants increased their step counts and those who were overweight or obese experienced weight loss. Additionally, health behaviors improved in dietary intake areas such as practicing breakfast and recognizing nutrition labels.

Seoul, which promotes itself as a healthy city, plans to implement various brain health programs starting this year. From April to the end of October, the ‘7979 Seoul Running Crew’ will take place. The name means running together from 7 to 9 o’clock and becoming friends (79). Every Thursday at 7 p.m., participants gather at Gwanghwamun Square and Jamsil Sports Complex to run together on nighttime urban courses (more than six courses). The courses include ▲Gwanghwamun Square course (Gyeongbokgung & Insadong, Deoksugung & Cheonggyecheon, Changgyeonggung & Daehangno, etc.) and ▲Jamsil Sports Complex course (Olympic & Olympic Park, Samseong Station & Bongeunsa, Jamsil Sports Complex & Tancheon, etc.).

A new 50 Plus Campus, a hub for middle-aged and older adults (50+ generation), will open in the eastern area (Gwangjin-gu). Currently, there are four campuses in the west (Eunpyeong), central (Mapo), south (Guro), and north (Dobong), which will increase to five. The 50 Plus Campus is a comprehensive and systematic support facility for life’s second act, offering education for redesigning one’s second life, employment training and jobs, social contribution activities, community, and health, culture, and leisure programs.

Starting in April, the ‘Reading Seoul Plaza’ will be newly operated. Until now, it was open every Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but it will now also be open on Thursdays (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The open library on the green lawn of Seoul Plaza operates open bookshelves on 11 themes including travel, literature, and children’s picture books, and offers various programs such as healing yoga for office workers and classical music performances. At Gwanghwamun Square, the ‘Gwanghwamun Book Yard’ will be created. This is a pedestrian plaza where any citizen in the city can rest, read, and experience culture. The underground space of Gocheok Sky Dome operates ‘Seoul Art Book Bogo,’ a public complex cultural space where anyone can easily access and enjoy art books.

Promotional poster for 'Reading Seoul Plaza' held from April 23 to October 29 last year. / Photo by Seoul City

In the first half of the year, the ‘Footsteps Closer to the Han River Festival’ (Car-Free Jamsugyo Ttubok Ttubok Festival) will be held. Previously held as a festival event in September and October, it will now be held twice a year in May-June and September-October, expanding the festival and pedestrian bridge experience. Permanent programs include a flea market, live performances in every corner, reading at Jamsugyo Bridge, a sunset photo zone, a ‘spacing out’ area with bean bags where visitors can relax while looking at the Han River, and a Jamsugyo playground where traditional Korean air games (gonggi nori) can be enjoyed.

By the end of this year, three Seoul-style waterfront emotional city hubs will be established in Hongje, Jeongneung, and Dorim. The three locations are ▲Upper Hongjecheon (near Hongjimun, 136-3 Hongji-dong, Jongno-gu) ▲Jeongneungcheon (near Jegi Station, 271-48 Jegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu) ▲Dorimcheon (area 1642-7 Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, section from Bongnimgyo to Sillimgyo), all becoming water-and-transportation hubs (Susegwon). The upper Hongjecheon will be transformed into a historical and cultural landmark where emotional night views and history coexist with rest. Jeongneungcheon will be converted into a ‘complex cultural space’ where various activities such as sports and culture can be enjoyed. Dorimcheon will be developed as a ‘shared waterfront terrace’ to serve as a place for exchange and to revitalize the local commercial district.

Seoul City is reviewing a course reorganization plan to make the Seoul Dulle-gil trail, which opened eight years ago, easier to challenge and to provide a sense of accomplishment. It also plans to offer various experiences and diverse enjoyment by linking nearby natural and cultural resources for each course.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said in his New Year’s address, “Seoul, the home of ten million citizens, is an attractive city where long history, beautiful natural environment, cutting-edge science and technology, and trendy lifestyles harmonize,” and added, “In 2023, we will make the Han River a representative tourist attraction that elevates Seoul’s status and a flagship brand of Seoul.”

Meanwhile, according to the ‘2021 Community Health Survey’ announced by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in May last year, the average walking practice rate across 255 cities, counties, and districts nationwide was 40.3%, up from 37.4% in 2020. Among the 17 metropolitan cities and provinces, Seoul had the highest rate (55.5%) and Gangwon had the lowest (32.4%). The walking practice rate refers to the percentage of people who walked for at least 30 minutes per session, five or more times a week during the past week. In terms of healthy lifestyle practice rates, Seoul was also the highest (43.3%) and Gangwon the lowest (22.9%) among the 17 regions. The healthy lifestyle practice rate refers to the percentage of people practicing non-smoking, moderate drinking, and walking. The 2021 survey was conducted through one-on-one interviews with 229,242 adults aged 19 and older nationwide, covering 18 areas (household survey, smoking, drinking, physical activity, etc.) and 163 questions (household type, current smoking, drinking frequency, walking practice, COVID-19 impact, etc.).