As Soon as the 8th Term Seocho District Mayor Takes Office, Opens Beauty Salon Exclusively for Disabled, Expands to 4 Locations in Seocho, Devotes Effort to Caring for the Homeless, Praised as a Local Administrator Caring for Marginalized Groups
Jeon Seong-su, the mayor of Seocho District, is receiving positive evaluations for embracing marginalized groups such as people with disabilities and the homeless.
One year after taking office as the mayor of Seocho District in the 8th local election, on October 16, 2023, Mayor Jeon held the opening ceremony of the disability-friendly hair salon “Hair Hanuri” on the first floor of the Seocho-gu Hanuri Information and Culture Center and began full-scale operations.
The district established the facility to reduce the psychological burden that people with disabilities often feel when visiting regular hair salons due to difficulties in mobility, lack of equipment and convenience facilities, and the challenge of meeting hairstylists experienced in disability hair care.
“Hair Hanuri” is approximately 32㎡ in size, with facilities and equipment entirely focused on the convenience of people with disabilities. Additionally, being located within the Disabled Welfare Center offers the great advantage of easy access to various convenience facilities for people with disabilities.
Inside the salon, there are disability-specific equipment such as ▲a “transfer lift” that comfortably moves clients from wheelchairs to chairs ▲a “customized integrated shampoo basin” that allows clients to wash their hair immediately after a cut while still seated. Besides these, the salon is equipped with the latest equipment comparable to any other hair salon.
Jeon Seong-su, Seocho District Mayor, is having a conversation with officials ahead of the agreement ceremony for the beauty salon for people with disabilities.
Also, a portable 20-inch monitor is placed right in front of the hairdressing chair. Clients can enjoy cartoons or YouTube videos during their hair service and view hairstyle examples.
Notably, the entrance has no threshold, features automatic doors, and has a wide doorway. The interior is decorated with a subtle and stylish beige tone, and a waiting area is provided for both guardians and people with disabilities.
The salon employs one professional hairstylist and one social worker, both trained in disability awareness. The hairstylist has 25 years of experience and extensive expertise in hair care for people with disabilities. The social worker assists with hair services, welfare counseling, and introducing the welfare center to enhance convenience for clients with disabilities.
Furthermore, the district signed business agreements with four local hair salons to expand the “disability-friendly hair salons” starting July 1 this year, enabling people with disabilities to comfortably use hair salons near their homes.
This expansion of disability-friendly hair salons is in response to residents’ requests to broaden the project due to the high popularity of the existing disability-exclusive salon “Hair Hanuri.”
“Hair Hanuri” has been very popular, serving over 600 clients so far, but operating only one location with a single hairstylist has led to a two-month waiting period for reservations, making it difficult to meet the high demand. The district’s expansion of disability-friendly hair salons through agreements with private salons is a measure to satisfy residents’ needs.
The salons designated as disability-friendly hair salons are ▲Libette Hair (Seocho-dong) ▲Kim Kyung-hee Hair Sketch (Banpo-dong) ▲She’s Hair Salon (Bangbae-dong) ▲Stylist Park Min (Yangjae-dong). Thanks to the voluntary participation of these salons, customers with disability certificates will receive a 10% discount, allowing them to use the services at a more affordable price.
Mayor Jeon Seong-su of Seocho District expressed, “I thank the disability-friendly hair salons that joined this agreement, and I will continue to strive to promote various support projects so that people with disabilities can enjoy their daily lives without inconvenience.”
In addition, on the 15th of this month, Seocho District provided psychological counseling, hairdressing, and bathing services for the homeless at the Goseok Terminal Station plaza in Banpo-dong.
This event was part of the “Support for Homeless People’s Return to Daily Life” business agreement signed in July with the Korea Hairdressers Association Seocho Branch and the Seoul Metropolitan Dasiseogi Comprehensive Support Center. It was a gathering where various related organizations and the local community united to ensure the safety and support the return to daily life of the homeless.
The district’s street counseling team for the homeless conducted in-depth counseling for facility linkage and admission, while professional hairstylists from the Korea Hairdressers Association Seocho Branch provided hairdressing services.
Also, the Seoul Metropolitan Dasiseogi Comprehensive Support Center operated a mobile bathing vehicle to provide bathing services. The Banpo Police Substation was also present to ensure on-site safety and respond to any unexpected situations.
On October 30, the district will hold a “Visiting Hope Humanities” lecture to provide full psychological support for overcoming homelessness and social reintegration.
Going forward, the district plans to collaborate with local affiliated organizations to improve issues and provide continuous services to help the homeless return to daily life and establish themselves as members of society.
Mayor Jeon Seong-su said, “We will continue multifaceted support to create a foundation for even a single homeless person to return as a member of society.”
In this way, Mayor Jeon Seong-su is receiving positive evaluations for warm and inclusive administrative efforts alongside vulnerable neighbors such as people with disabilities and the homeless.
Mayor Jeon appears to be a warm-hearted administrator who practices the raison d'?tre of local administration by paying attention to areas untouched by the benefits of growth.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
