Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, Started Weekly Neighborhood Cleanups Immediately After Taking Office in the 7th Term, Continuing for 6 Years with Residents; Called "Seoul's Representative Cleaning Mayor"... Park Kang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, Begins Monthly Neighborhood Cleanups with Staff and Residents This Month... Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, Held a 3-Week Cleaning Campaign Last Month
"I am so grateful that you come all the way to our neighborhood to clean in the morning."
This is what Mr. A, a resident of Jungnang-gu, said recently.
Ryu Gyeong-gi, the mayor of Jungnang-gu, has been cleaning the neighborhood once a week for six years now. Since taking office as the mayor of Jungnang-gu in the 7th local government term, Mayor Ryu has been applauded for cleaning the streets weekly with residents.
He is the only one among the 25 district mayors of Seoul who holds the title of 'the mayor who cleans the streets' once a month.
After graduating from Seoul National University with a degree in Political Science and passing the civil service exam, Ryu served as the first deputy mayor of Seoul before becoming mayor, yet he communicates with residents through cleaning that serves the community.
Jungnang-gu is a bedroom community with a residential focus, where low-rise residential areas account for 51%. To change the urban landscape of Jungnang-gu, Mayor Ryu took on cleaning. Since his inauguration in the 7th local government term, under the slogan "A clean and orderly city is the beginning of residents' happiness," he has vigorously promoted initiatives starting with easy-to-start cleaning, creating streets with beautiful signboards, and the Jungnang Our Neighborhood Art Museum project.
The urban image of Jungnang-gu is widely regarded as having changed significantly. ‘THE Clean Jungnang’ has become a brand, and ‘the cleaning mayor’ has become a representative image of Mayor Ryu.
Ryu Gyeong-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu: "Alley cleaning brings a 'triple effect' of increased interest in cleaning, on-site verification, and communication"
Mayor Ryu’s alley cleaning has been ongoing steadily since July 12, 2018, near Mangu Station, early in his 7th local government term. Except for specific times such as during COVID-19 response periods, heatwaves, or cold waves, a total of 4,425 residents participated in 142 cleaning sessions. The cleaned distance amounts to 117.736 km. Mayor Ryu said, "Although the sections where the mayor personally holds a broom and cleans are few, cleaning is meaningful as it shows the will for a clean environment," showing his exceptional passion for cleaning.
There are three major benefits gained from practicing weekly alley cleaning. First, residents’ interest in cleaning increases. Along with cleaning company staff and district officials, resident voluntary cleaning groups also join early in the morning, carrying cleaning tools. With more eyes directly checking the alleys, voluntary interest in cleaning rises, illegal dumping decreases, and the number of volunteers increases. The neatness volunteer group formed by residents now numbers 2,640, and voluntary volunteers reach 679.
This year, the number of voluntary volunteers is planned to increase to 700. In fact, every household should clean in front of their own house or store. Jungnang-gu selects outstanding residents and stores that regularly participate in cleaning in front of their homes and awards them with ‘THE Clean House’ plaques and cleaning supplies to encourage participation.
The second effect of cleaning is the opportunity to directly see the site and exchange opinions with residents who know the area best. This enables on-site administration beyond theoretical discussions.
Additionally, while cleaning, various residents such as shop owners who open early in the morning can be heard. Therefore, early morning cleaning is regarded not just as cleaning but as a valuable communication channel. Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi said, "I thank the residents who joined the cleaning from early morning," and added, "We will continue alley cleaning to make Jungnang cleaner and happier and do our best."
Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo District, is cleaning the streets with residents on Sky Road in Hapjeong-dong on the 26th.
Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, designates one day each month from April as ‘Big Cleaning Day’ for district-wide cleaning
Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su) has designated one day each month from April as ‘Big Cleaning Day’ to create a clean street environment by cleaning the entire district.
For the big cleaning at 16 neighborhood community centers, about 1,000 local residents, including Mapo-gu employees, professional organizations, and merchant associations, participate to improve cleanliness and foster local pride and affection.
The big cleaning started on April 15 in Daehyeong-dong, Yeomni-dong, and Yonggang-dong, continued on April 17 in Seogyo-dong, Mangwon 1-dong, and Mangwon 2-dong, on April 19 in Gongdeok-dong, Ahyeon-dong, and Dohwa-dong, on April 23 in Seongsan 2-dong and Sangam-dong, on April 26 in Sinsu-dong, Seogang-dong, and Hapjeong-dong, and on April 30, the last Big Cleaning Day of April, in Yeonnam-dong and Seongsan 1-dong.
Participants gather early in the morning at the neighborhood community centers and move together to pick up trash and remove dust from general roads, alleys, and habitual illegal dumping areas.
Especially, vulnerable areas such as shopping districts, parks, and places with heavy foot traffic are cleaned intensively.
Mr. Choi Seung-cheol (pseudonym, 39), who participated in the Yeomni-dong Big Cleaning Day event, said, "Creating clean streets through cleaning feels refreshing and meaningful as a member of society," and added, "I will participate in next month's Big Cleaning Day to help make our neighborhood a better place to live."
In May, Big Cleaning Days will start on the 8th in Gongdeok-dong, Ahyeon-dong, and Dohwa-dong, and continue monthly in all neighborhoods.
On the morning of the 26th, Mayor Park Gang-su led a street cleaning activity around the Haneulgil area for Hapjeong-dong Big Cleaning Day. About 50 people, including Mapo-gu employees, professional organizations, and residents, joined to help create a clean Mapo. Participants gathered at Exit 7 of Hapjeong Station to pick up trash and remove accumulated dust around Haneulgil.
Before the cleaning, Mayor Park Gang-su said, "I sincerely thank the residents who joined the big cleaning from early morning to create a pleasant and clean street environment," and added, "We will continue to operate Big Cleaning Days monthly and hope for your interest. Mapo-gu will look after every corner to improve residents' quality of life and make Mapo clean 365 days a year."
Gwangjin-gu operated ‘Spring Cleaning Week’ last month
Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Gyeong-ho) designated the period from the 11th to the 31st of this month as ‘Spring Cleaning Week’ to thoroughly remove fine dust, grime, and trash accumulated over winter and welcome the new spring by cleaning the city.
The district deployed a total of 14 vehicles and equipment, including 5 water cleaning trucks, 5 dust suction trucks, and 4 road surface cleaning trucks. They performed daily water and dust cleaning on major roads such as Cheonho-daero and Achasan-ro, main arterial roads, and general roads, and thoroughly washed areas around subway stations, Dong Seoul Terminal, and bus stops, which are heavily used places.
Public facilities along main roads were also inspected and cleaned. Departments managed and maintained facilities such as street trash bins, street flowerpots and roadside stored items, sidewalk facilities, rainwater drains, and fallen leaves to help create a pleasant spring environment.
Especially, on the 27th from 8 a.m. for two hours, the district held a ‘Spring Cleaning Day.’ About 100 residents, organizations, and employees participated in large-scale environmental maintenance. Trash was collected and cleanliness was intensively managed even in vulnerable areas such as side streets and back alleys. The ‘I Sweep in Front of My House/My Store Campaign’ encouraged active resident participation in making clean neighborhoods.
Mayor Kim Gyeong-ho is known for sweating profusely while cleaning the streets, which residents see as a sign of sincerity. He said, "Working together to remove accumulated grime makes the streets cleaner and lifts our spirits. I deeply thank all residents who participated in the big cleaning," and added, "Since fine dust and yellow dust frequently occur during this season, please take care of your health. We will continue to do our best to create a clean and safe Gwangjin-gu with thorough cleaning administration."
With a busy mayor also taking part in street cleaning, residents cannot help but appreciate it.
The future actions of these district mayors who serve residents with humility are highly anticipated.
Seongdong-gu’s ‘365 Clean Task Force’ operating in the hot spot Seongsu-dong draws attention
Meanwhile, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeong Won-o) is intensifying efforts to create a clean city by operating the ‘365 Clean Task Force’ focusing on Seongsu-dong’s Seoul Forest Cafe Street and Yeonmujang-gil area.
Seongsu-dong has rapidly increased cafes and pop-up stores in recent years and has emerged as a popular tourist spot, leading to increased illegal dumping of cigarette butts, coffee containers, and other trash.
Since cleaning is especially vulnerable during afternoon and evening hours when environmental officers are not on duty, Seongdong-gu has been operating the ‘365 Clean Task Force’ since April.
The ‘365 Clean Task Force,’ consisting of two members, is responsible for cleaning roads around Seoul Forest Cafe Street and Yeonmujang-gil in Seongsu-dong. They work during cleaning-vulnerable hours from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends, filling the gap in urban cleanliness.
The task force uses the eco-friendly urban street cleaning machine ‘Glutton’ during environmental maintenance. ‘Glutton’ is a vacuum cleaning device that not only absorbs fine dust but also effectively sucks up trash without carbon emissions.
With its powerful suction, it picks up cigarette butts, fallen leaves, disposable coffee containers, and more, improving cleaning efficiency. Its unique appearance roaming the streets also attracts interest and amusement from tourists and residents. Mayor Jeong Won-o of Seongdong-gu said, "Since the ‘365 Clean Task Force’ started operating, we have received positive feedback that Seongsu-dong has become cleaner," and added, "We will continue to make more meticulous efforts to create a clean and tidy city."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
