Im Taek, Mayor of Dong-gu, Gwangju, Makes First New Year Visit to Ssokbangchon Site

Im Taek, the mayor of Dong-gu, embarked on his first administrative activities of the new year on the 2nd of Gapjin year by launching on-site activities with department heads to devise a roadmap for preventing the slumification of the jjokbangchon (small room village) and achieving practical environmental improvements.

On that day, Mayor Im Taek carried out environmental improvement activities such as picking up trash around the jjokbangchon, visited households to listen to their difficulties, and prepared support measures for residents during the severe cold season. He also operated a mobile laundry service to maintain hygiene and cleanliness of clothing and bedding.

Dong-gu has, so far, supported 100 residents with fans and nutritional supplements through sponsorships from organizations such as the Jabisinhaenghoe and the Gwangju Buddhist Association to help jjokbangchon residents endure a healthy summer. During the 10 weeks of last summer’s prolonged heatwave, they provided bottled water and instant food weekly.

Additionally, with 14 million KRW in sponsorship funds from six institutions including Jeonnam National University Hospital, Dong-gu provided goods to improve residents’ housing conditions and installed a shared refrigerator at the jjokbangchon community space called 'Hangkkune Sarangbang.' In cooperation with the Dong-gu Public Health Center, they supported oral examinations and fluoride application services, and plan to promote free dental care services through memorandums of understanding with four organizations including the ‘Dental Association for a Healthy Society’ in the future.

Mayor Im Taek of Dong-gu stated, "I am honored to start the new year’s first administrative activities by directly checking on neighbors in need and sharing their difficulties on-site." He added, "This year, we plan to implement various support measures so that jjokbangchon residents can lead stable lives. In the long term, we will prepare a blueprint to improve the deteriorated local environment through collaboration with LH (Korea Land and Housing Corporation), Gwangju Urban Corporation, and others, including the enactment of a jjokbangchon ordinance."

Meanwhile, Dong-gu plans to share the results of the recently completed jjokbangchon status survey research with relevant departments and promote specialized projects aligned with 14 key tasks under five major strategies: ▲ Establishing support infrastructure for jjokbangchon ▲ Housing welfare for stable living ▲ Vitality welfare for life reconstruction ▲ A community where people care for each other ▲ Basic income guarantee for a dignified life.