Seoul City and Hanmi Pharm to Promote 'Donghaeng Mokyoktang'

Mutual Welfare for Revitalizing the Local Economy and Supporting Ssokbang Residents

Seoul City announced on the 12th that it is promoting the win-win welfare model "Donghaeng Bathhouse" to help small business owners in the bathing industry who are struggling due to soaring energy prices and to support the clean and healthy living of residents in jjokbang (tiny room) communities.

Sponsored by Hanmi Pharmaceutical, Donghaeng Bathhouse, which started on the 1st of this month, provides residents of jjokbang villages with public bathhouse usage vouchers twice a month. This initiative is expected to offer comfort to jjokbang residents and increase sales for small business owners in the bathing industry who have recently been facing difficulties due to the surge in energy costs.

According to the 2022 jjokbang status survey, only 27.6% of jjokbang buildings had shower facilities, and the second most inconvenient aspect of living there was the lack of shower rooms. Furthermore, it is estimated that about 45% of jjokbang buildings do not operate boilers, making it impossible to use hot water during the cold winter months.

Through the Donghaeng Bathhouse project, residents of five jjokbang villages will receive two "bath usage vouchers" per month, which can be used at the designated "Donghaeng Bathhouse" located near the jjokbang communities. The business owners of Donghaeng Bathhouse provide bathing services to jjokbang residents presenting the vouchers, and monthly Donghaeng support funds (operational support funds) and usage fees from jjokbang residents are settled through the jjokbang counseling center.

On the 27th of last month, Seoul City, Hanmi Pharmaceutical, and the Donghaeng Bathhouse business owners gathered to sign an operational agreement for Donghaeng Bathhouse, sharing expectations and concerns about the project and pledging to make it a good business that coexists with neighbors.

Kim Sang-han, Director of Welfare Policy at Seoul City, said, "I am truly pleased to promote the Donghaeng Bathhouse project as a win-win welfare model that simultaneously supports small business owners in the bathing industry and improves the living convenience of jjokbang residents, fostering mutual understanding and consideration. I am grateful to Hanmi Pharmaceutical for sympathizing with and sharing this vision." He added, "We will continue to work together to enhance the project's completeness and ensure its sustainability through ongoing discussions and efforts."