Launch of Seocho Cultural Foundation

Seocho-gu Launches Seocho Cultural Foundation with Culture and Arts Experts as Executives

On the 8th, the district awarded appointment letters to 9 executives including Lee Seong-rim, Chairman of Seocho Cultural Foundation, and Kang Eun-kyung, CEO

Expectations to Discover Even Higher-Level Culture and Arts Projects

Seocho-gu has solidified its position as a cultural and artistic city by newly appointing Kang Eun-kyung, former CEO of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, as the CEO of the Seocho Cultural Foundation.

Seocho-gu (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) appointed Chairman Lee Seong-rim, CEO Kang Eun-kyung, eight new executives, and one reappointed executive at the appointment ceremony held at the district office on the 8th.

Mayor Jeon Seong-su said at the appointment ceremony, “I hope that our valuable resources in Seocho-gu will shine even brighter and become a beautiful cultural and artistic city with capable professional executives,” adding, “Along with enjoying culture and arts, I hope residents are happy today and will continue to be happy tomorrow as they are today.”

Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho District (left), is taking a commemorative photo with Kang Eun-kyung, CEO of Seocho Cultural Foundation, at the executive appointment ceremony.

On the day, CEO Kang Eun-kyung expressed her determination, saying, “Based on my expertise and practical experience in arts management, I will do my best to carry out cultural and artistic projects befitting Seocho, the nation’s only music cultural district full of cultural energy.”

CEO Kang is an arts management expert who has served as CEO of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, adjunct professor at Korea National University of Arts, adjunct professor at Chugye University for the Arts, and visiting professor at Sookmyung Women’s University. She is expected to make significant contributions to the development of culture and arts in Seocho-gu.

The district formed a Cultural Foundation Executive Recommendation Committee according to relevant laws to select a total of nine executives (Chairman, CEO, six directors, and auditor). After reappointment decisions and open recruitment, candidates underwent document and interview screenings, and the final selection was made on the 2nd. The term of office is two years, until May 7, 2025.

Dongjak-gu Survey Results on ‘Establishment Plan for High School in Heukseok-dong’... 80.3% Support ‘New Public School’

"All efforts will be focused on opening in March 2026"

Dongjak-gu (Mayor Park Il-ha) announced on the 8th that 80.3% of respondents supported the establishment of a new public high school in the survey conducted for 10 days from April 25 regarding the ‘Establishment Plan for High School in Heukseok-dong.’

A total of 6,089 residents of Heukseok-dong participated in the survey, with 80.3% supporting the establishment of a new public school, 10.6% supporting a new private school, and 9.1% supporting the relocation of a public school.

Since September 2008, after deciding on school sites within the Heukseok New Town area, Dongjak-gu has been promoting the establishment procedure for a high school in Heukseok-dong under Article 25 of the Special Act on Promotion of Urban Redevelopment. Since 2020, it has been negotiating with the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education and public high schools in Gwanak-gu for the ‘relocation’ of a public high school.

However, in March, the education office officially informed Dongjak-gu that ‘establishing a new school is also possible,’ contrary to the previous policy, prompting a reconsideration of the policy direction for establishing a high school in Heukseok-dong.

Since the education office requests not only the usual donation of school land but also the donation of academic building construction costs when establishing a new public school, the district conducted the survey to clearly inform Heukseok-dong residents who paid development charges about the policy change, and to confirm the consensus of residents amid diverse opinions including continued expectations for private school attraction and claims for relocating existing public schools.

The survey targeted residents of Heukseok-dong aged 19 and over (based on resident registration) and was conducted both online and offline through QR codes, on-site visits, fax, and email.

To increase participation, the district held six explanatory sessions for residents and parents at the community center and elementary schools in Heukseok-dong, sent home notices through schools, and broadcast announcements via apartment management offices.

Meanwhile, with residents’ consensus on establishing a new public school, the district plans to do its best for the prompt establishment of Heukseok-dong High School by signing an MOU with the education office and discussing school facility design and construction for opening in March 2026. However, since the new public school plan requires prior school consolidation and closure, and involves not only land but also additional construction costs, the district stated it will promptly notify the education office of the survey results and actively cooperate to ensure smooth procedures.

Mayor Park Il-ha of Dongjak-gu said, “Since residents want the prompt establishment of Heukseok-dong High School, we will work closely with the education office to resolve the many pending issues and make every effort to open the school in March 2026.”

Seongdong-gu Expands Free Shingles Vaccination for Seniors Aged 70 and Over

Expanded from vulnerable groups aged 65 and over to general seniors aged 70 and over

Shingles is a disease where prevention is crucial; vaccination expansion supports healthy aging

Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jeong Won-oh) announced that it will expand free shingles vaccination, previously provided to vulnerable groups, to include general seniors aged 70 and over.

Shingles occurs in 10-30% of people at least once in their lifetime when the body's immunity is weakened, with the incidence rate in seniors aged 65 and over being more than eight times higher than in younger people.

When shingles occurs, severe pain and blisters appear along the nerve ganglia, and postherpetic neuralgia can persist long after the blisters disappear. Since there is no adequate treatment, prevention is important; however, the vaccine costs about 100,000 to 120,000 KRW on average and is not designated as a national essential vaccination, causing a financial burden for seniors who want to be vaccinated.

Since 2018, Seongdong-gu has supported free shingles vaccination for vulnerable seniors aged 65 and over, and this year expanded the support to general seniors aged 70 and over.

The eligible recipients are seniors registered as residents of Seongdong-gu as of the vaccination date. They can visit nearby designated medical institutions (listed on the Seongdong-gu Public Health Center website) with their ID and beneficiary certificate. However, due to nationwide vaccine supply shortages, it is advised to check vaccination availability with medical institutions in advance.

Mayor Jeong Won-oh of Seongdong-gu said, “Seniors suffer greatly during the treatment process after shingles onset,” adding, “Since prevention is the most important aspect of this disease, I hope that expanding the vaccination target will help seniors live healthier and more vibrant lives.”