Songpa-gu Receives Minister of Health and Welfare Commendation at National Care Facility Contest

Songpa Kiwoom Center Selected as Best Local Government Award in Ministry of Health and Welfare Evaluation
Highly Rated for Songpa-Specific Features Including ▲Hansung Baekje Wangdo-gil Exploration ▲Songpa Sandae Nori Talchum Experience

Sandanori Mask Dance-12

Songpa-gu (District Mayor Seo Gang-seok) received the Minister of Health and Welfare Award, the highest honor in the institution category, at the evaluation of the '2023 National Childcare Facility Contest' hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and organized by the Child Rights Protection Agency, gaining external recognition for its status as a child-friendly city.

In this evaluation, Songpa-gu was recognized for the operational achievements of the Songpa Kiwoom Center's childcare facility programs conducted throughout 2023, including ▲‘Songpa Cultural Travel,’ which explores and experiences Songpa-gu’s historical and cultural landmarks, and ▲the ‘Kiwoom Cultural Festival,’ a children's performance presentation held last October. Among the 25 autonomous districts in Seoul, Songpa-gu was the only one to receive the Minister of Health and Welfare Award.

In particular, the programs utilizing local characteristics with unique Songpa-gu stories, such as ▲exploring the Hansung Baekje Royal Capital Trail and ▲experiencing the Songpa Sandae Nori mask dance, were highlighted as major achievements.

Additionally, the district received excellent evaluations for significantly contributing to improving public childcare satisfaction and activation by inviting parents and presenting children’s achievements through performances and exhibitions based on their activities at the Kiwoom Center.

Moreover, in November, Songpa-gu won the grand prize at the ‘Seoul Children’s Dream Festival Imagination Play Contest’ hosted by Seoul City. Fifteen children from the Garak 2-dong Songpa Kiwoom Center participated, performing a play that depicted solving future waste landfill problems through outer space by shaping a rocket made of recycled materials, which was highly praised and selected as the grand prize winner.

Currently, the Songpa Kiwoom Center is helping to alleviate the childcare burden on elementary school families by establishing a community-centered care system and operating gap care from after school until returning home, evening care for dual-income families, and Saturday care. The district plans to expand one Kiwoom Center in the Pungnap area in December, aiming to operate a total of 19 Kiwoom Centers to eliminate childcare blind spots within the region.

Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, “I thank the staff of the Songpa Kiwoom Center who are working hard on the front lines for the healthy growth and development of children through beneficial programs,” and added, “We will continue to prepare various support policies to create an environment where our children and youth can grow up properly without difficulties.”