200 Seocho-gu Bus Stops Begin Operation of 'Seoripul Ondol Chairs' to Warm the Cold

District Adds 20 More 'Seoripul Ondol Chairs' with Heated Seats at Bus Stops, Now Operating 200 Locations
Ondol Chairs Maintain 38℃, Operate from 6 AM to 11 PM During Bus Hours, Automatically Activate Below 18℃
District Head Jeon Seong-su Hopes Warm Ondol Chairs Provide Comfort for Bus Riders in Cold Winter

Seocho-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) has officially started operating heated seats called ‘Seoripul Ondol Chairs’ from the 12th to help residents waiting for buses in the cold weather.

The district will operate Seoripul Ondol Chairs at a total of 200 bus stops this year, increasing by 20 locations compared to last year.

The Seoripul Ondol Chair is made of double tempered glass measuring 203cm in width and 33cm in depth. It automatically activates when the ambient temperature drops below 18℃, maintaining the seat surface temperature at 38℃. It also features an automatic on/off function and an external temperature sensor.

Additionally, the seat surface of the Ondol Chair includes 11 emotional phrases such as “You are truly wonderful! The more we are together, the better,” and “Cheer up! And I love you~.”

The operating hours are from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., coinciding with bus service hours, and the chairs will be in use until March next year.

The district conducted a trial operation of the Seoripul Ondol Chairs on the 1st, completing a 10-day inspection of the heating devices and electrical safety checks.

Meanwhile, the heated Seoripul Ondol Chairs were first installed at village bus stops in 2017, the earliest among Seoul’s autonomous districts. With its practical cold-weather protection and sleek design, it won the Presidential Award at the 2019 Korea Design Awards and received the Silver Award at the 2018 Green Apple Awards, Europe’s most prestigious environmental award.

Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho-gu, said, “I hope the Seoripul Ondol Chairs provide a warm space for residents waiting for buses during winter to briefly escape the cold,” adding, “We will continue to strive to reduce residents’ inconveniences and ensure a safe daily life.”