Jongno-gu's Comprehensive Heatwave Response... District Mayor Jeong Munheon Checks on Vulnerable Groups' Safety
‘Comprehensive Heatwave Measures’ Focused on Protecting Vulnerable Groups and Minimizing Casualties Until September 30
On the 3rd, Mayor Jeong Munheon Visited Gosiwon Areas in Changsin-dong and Donui-dong, Senior Centers, and Welfare Recipients' Homes to Check Residents' Health and Hear Their Difficulties
Jung Moon-heon, Mayor of Jongno District Office, is visiting a senior center and greeting the elderly.
Jongno-gu (Mayor Jeong Munheon) is concentrating all administrative efforts to minimize casualties and property damage caused by the ongoing scorching heat and to support vulnerable groups in safely enduring the summer.
Accordingly, from May 20 to September 30, about four months, a three-stage real-time heatwave response system has been established, focusing on protecting vulnerable groups including elderly living alone and residents of gosiwons, under the ‘Comprehensive Heatwave Measures’ currently underway.
Mayor Jeong Munheon of Jongno-gu is personally leading the field by checking residents’ damage status daily.
On the 3rd, Mayor Jeong visited the gosiwon areas in Changsin-dong and Donui-dong as well as senior centers to meet residents suffering from the double hardship of extreme heat and financial difficulties.
That day, Mayor Jeong listened to on-site difficulties from gosiwon counseling center staff, checked the health condition of elderly resting at heatwave shelters, and verified the operation of cooling facilities. He also visited welfare recipients’ homes living in poor housing conditions to listen to their daily inconveniences.
In addition, Jongno-gu is dedicated to monitoring and confirming the safety of vulnerable groups. About 400 disaster helpers, composed of life support workers, local autonomous disaster prevention teams, and community leaders, visit elderly living alone and others to check their health status through various methods such as welfare calls and provide guidance on heatwave preparedness and response.
The ‘Heatwave Shelters’ where residents can rest to avoid the heat are also operated until September 30. Over 70 locations, including community centers, senior centers, and welfare centers, are designated as shelters close to residents’ homes for easy access anytime.
For elderly households vulnerable to safety and health management due to mobility difficulties, Internet of Things (IoT) technology is used to collect big data on movement, temperature, humidity, illumination, fire and gas safety detection, and real-time safety is monitored. For example, if the indoor temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius, immediate evacuation to a heatwave shelter is recommended.
Furthermore, AI companion robots are provided to elderly living alone in vulnerable groups. When a heatwave warning is issued, the robots transmit alert voice messages and immediately connect to the control center or 119 emergency services in case of an emergency.
Basic livelihood security recipients and lower-income groups receive support not only for air conditioners but also for electricity bills. Wall-mounted circulators are installed next to public air conditioners in the corridors of gosiwon buildings to ensure residents living in rooms far from air conditioners also benefit from cooling.
The 17 community centers, which are the frontline of administration, are also making all-out efforts. Each center is providing a variety of items such as bottled water, fans, cool scarves, nutritional supplements, arm sleeves, and sunscreen to vulnerable groups including basic livelihood recipients and people with disabilities.
Additionally, until October 15, Jongno-gu is conducting day and night patrols in major local areas and gosiwon districts, providing facility admission and emergency relief measures to nearby residents and homeless people. Eight water trucks are deployed along approximately 40 km of the district to alleviate urban heat islands, and remotely controlled smart shade shelters have been installed in busy downtown pedestrian areas, receiving positive responses.
Mayor Jeong Munheon stated, “I ask all residents to rest indoors as much as possible during midday and, if going out is unavoidable, to carry water and parasols, practicing small daily habits to protect their own and others’ health. We will do our best to ensure that all residents from all walks of life can safely get through this summer.”
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