Positive Reviews for Yongsan-gu's Mobile Umbrella Repair Service

Visits to 16 Neighborhood Community Centers by October

329 Umbrellas Repaired from May to June... Umbrellas That Cannot Be Repaired Can Be Donated

The Rebirth of Broken Umbrellas That Hold Memories or Are Difficult to Separate for Recycling

"It was an umbrella my college student grandchild gave me as a gift, so I really wanted to fix it... I’m so grateful, I don’t know what to say."

On the 14th, during the peak of the rainy season, an elderly person who repaired an umbrella at the 'Visiting Umbrella Repair Center' set up in the lobby on the first floor of the Hangangno-dong Community Center in Yongsan-gu (Mayor Park Hee-young) repeatedly expressed gratitude to the repair technician.

The 'Visiting Umbrella Repair Center' launched by the district in May is running smoothly amid positive feedback from residents. It will be operated for free by visiting 16 neighborhood community centers until October 27.

Since its first start on May 8, a total of 329 umbrellas have been repaired while making a round through 16 neighborhoods. About 20 umbrellas were received on-site on the 14th.

Up to two umbrellas per person can be accepted. However, rusty umbrellas cannot be repaired, and it is recommended to entrust high-end umbrellas to professional repair shops. Umbrellas can also be donated. Parts from donated umbrellas are used to repair other umbrellas.

Broken umbrellas are difficult to dispose of. They must be separated by material such as aluminum, plastic, vinyl, and fabric, or placed in specially designated volume-based waste bags. If discarded carelessly, they may be caught as illegal dumping and fined.

A district official said, "Even though this is the first year of the project, the response has been so enthusiastic that people line up before 9 a.m. We will work to increase manpower to handle the volume of repairs."

The 'Visiting Umbrella Repair Center' operates from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. However, it may close early if the volume of umbrellas received is high. The visiting schedule for each neighborhood can be checked on the Yongsan-gu website or official blog.

Inquiries can also be made by phone to the Yongsan-gu Office Job Policy Division or the neighborhood community centers.

Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, "This job project, started to help low-income groups become self-reliant, is receiving great support among residents. We will continue to discover practical projects that can achieve both 'job provision and resident convenience.'"

At the visiting repair center, sharpening of knives and scissors is also available for up to three items per person.