Seoul City Plans to Establish Sobriety Center on Muak-dong Public Land
Residents and Jongno District Office Demand Immediate Halt Citing Security Concerns
On the 23rd, Jeong Munheon, Mayor of Jongno-gu, is speaking at the "Emergency Meeting Opposing the Installation of Seoul City Intoxication Relief Centers" held at Muak-dong Community Center. Provided by Jongno-gu.
When Seoul City announced plans to establish an Intoxication Relief Center in Muak-dong, Jongno-gu, local residents and the Jongno District Office opposed the plan, expressing concerns about public safety.
On the 23rd, Jeong Mun-heon, the head of Jongno District Office, held an emergency meeting at the Muak-dong Community Center, voicing opposition to Seoul City's unilateral push to create the Intoxication Relief Center and urging the city to make an official statement.
Jeong stated, “Installing an Intoxication Relief Center in the middle of a quiet residential area rather than an entertainment district raises serious concerns about reduced mobility during transfers, waste of administrative resources, and residents’ safety. We hope Seoul City recognizes the gravity of this issue and immediately halts the unilateral project.”
The opposition from residents and Jongno-gu stems from the fact that this area is densely populated with residential complexes and schools. A total of 7,316 households reside in nearby Muak-dong and Gyounam-dong, and there are four elementary, middle, and high schools including Doknipmun Elementary School, as well as nine daycare centers in close proximity.
The Intoxication Relief Center is a temporary shelter facility that protects intoxicated individuals who cannot be handed over to guardians or require temporary care after emergency treatment. Previously, police substations or precincts handled this role, but to prevent the waste of security personnel, the city is pushing to establish additional Intoxication Relief Centers.
In Seoul, four intoxicated emergency medical centers, including the National Medical Center and the Red Cross Hospital, continue to operate, and the city plans to add more Intoxication Relief Centers by early next year. The target site is the former Muak-dong Saemaeul Geumgo building (Muak-dong 67-1), which is city-owned land. Management was transferred last month from the city’s Property Management Division to the Autonomous Police Committee.
According to Jongno-gu, Seoul City is pushing forward with the installation of the Intoxication Relief Center without prior consultation with the district or holding separate resident briefings, and has also rejected the district office’s requests for meetings.
Residents attending the meeting strongly opposed the plan, saying, “The streets where we used to enjoy happy family walks at night will be covered with the cries and vomit of intoxicated people, and our children will be exposed to crime risks.” Jeong Mun-heon also emphasized, “Jongno-gu will stake everything on this issue and unite with residents for a joint response.” Residents plan to launch a signature campaign centered around apartment complexes, as well as hold rallies and opposition demonstrations.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
