'Gangnam-gu and WTC Seoul Collaborate to Establish a Rest Area for Mobile Workers at COEX'

WTC Seoul Provides Venue and Facilities at COEX South Gate Parking Lot
Operation and Management by Gangnam-gu... Opening Ceremony on the 10th

Interior view of the Migrant Workers' Shelter at the Trade Center branch. Provided by Gangnam-gu.

Gangnam-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) is collaborating with WTC Seoul Co., Ltd. (CEO Kim Byung-yu) to establish a rest area for mobile workers called ‘Alive Station Trade Center Branch’ at the COEX South Gate two-wheeler parking lot (513 Yeongdong-daero), which will open on the 10th of this month.

Gangnam-gu has the highest usage rates of restaurants and delivery services, and is home to the largest number of mobile workers such as delivery and courier drivers, substitute drivers, home tutors, and insurance planners. Reflecting these local characteristics, the district utilized public parking spaces last May to open rest areas for mobile workers at the back gate of the Gangnam Employment and Startup Hub Center (Branch 1, 160 Yeoksam-ro) and near the public parking lot behind Yeoksam Station Finance Center (Branch 2, 152 Teheran-ro), which are currently in operation.

Due to the high demand for mobile worker rest areas, the district planned to expand to other locations but faced difficulties due to a lack of available sites in the city center and cost issues. However, a breakthrough was achieved through an ESG collaboration project with a company.

Located in the heart of Samseong-dong and possessing a two-wheeler parking lot, WTC Seoul actively negotiated and signed a business agreement in August regarding the establishment and operation of the mobile worker rest area. WTC Seoul provides the location and facilities for the rest area, while Gangnam-gu is responsible for its operation and management.

The third mobile worker rest area in Gangnam-gu, ‘Alive Station Trade Center Branch,’ spans 18 square meters and offers convenience facilities such as air conditioning and heating, refrigerators and warmers, helmet dryers, and mobile phone charging. It is also equipped with security features including access authentication devices and closed-circuit (CC) TVs to ensure safe use.

The opening ceremony will be held at 2:30 PM on the 10th of this month. Sponsored by COEX, Parnas Hotel, Woowa Brothers, and the Seoul Gangnam Branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the event will distribute refreshing beverages to mobile workers and hold a roulette event offering summer cool kits, towel sets, and anti-fogging agents.

District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong stated, “The establishment of this mobile worker rest area is a meaningful achievement of the public-private ESG collaboration project,” and added, “We will continue to provide various supports through cooperation with companies so that mobile workers can work in better conditions.”