Strengthening Protection Measures for Cold-Vulnerable Groups Until March Next Year
Gangbuk-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Lee Soon-hee) will implement the "2024 Gangbuk-gu Comprehensive Winter Measures" from the 15th of this month until March next year to ensure a safe and warm winter for its residents.
To proactively respond to the winter cold, the district operates a 'Cold Wave Countermeasures Headquarters' composed of 4 main departments and 21 support departments, and implements detailed measures in areas such as cold wave, snow removal, safety, and daily life.
Gangbuk-gu disaster helpers are clearing snow and ice accumulated on the streets to ensure safe walking for residents during the winter season. Provided by Gangbuk-gu.
This winter, Gangbuk-gu's comprehensive measures will focus on strengthening protection for vulnerable groups to cold waves, such as elderly living alone, chronic patients, and homeless people, and will be centered on practical, community-based solutions that residents can feel.
Heating supplies such as hot packs, neck warmers, and jumpers will be provided to vulnerable groups, and patrols, street counseling, and free meal centers will be operated to protect the homeless. Disaster helpers will directly visit 1,746 health-vulnerable individuals, including elderly living alone, disabled persons, and basic livelihood security recipients, to strengthen winter health management.
The number of cold shelters will increase from 6 to 16, and heated seats at bus stops will be expanded from 97 to 103. The meal support unit price for children at risk of food insecurity will also be raised from 8,000 KRW to 9,000 KRW per meal. Safety inspections of heating devices and fire extinguishers at senior centers will be thoroughly conducted.
For prompt snow removal, the number of road heating cables in snow removal vulnerable sections will be expanded from 17 to 25, and the number of snow removal forward bases will increase from 3 to 5 to enhance efficiency. Additional snow removal agents will be stocked around steep slopes and residential areas in highlands to minimize residents' inconvenience in movement.
As part of safety measures, safety inspections of various facilities during winter and quarantine activities to prevent infectious diseases will be strengthened. The number of disaster-vulnerable facilities subject to inspection will increase from 49 to 68, and safety inspections of private construction sites will be thoroughly conducted. To prevent infectious diseases, a dedicated response organization for COVID-19 vulnerable facilities will be established, and continuous management will be maintained through the operation of 83 medical institutions and 19 pharmacies.
For daily life measures, winter prices and essential goods will be closely managed, and the number of traditional markets and large supermarkets subject to inspection will expand from 4 to 6. Winter household waste management will also be thoroughly carried out.
In case of heavy snowfall, the waste snow removal support team will promptly collect disposed waste, and in preparation for the suspension of landfill site intake in the metropolitan area, Gangbuk-gu's recycling sorting center will be operated as a temporary transfer station.
As an energy-saving measure, public institutions will maintain indoor temperatures below 18℃ and limit lighting use through an energy-saving campaign. Energy conservation will be encouraged through inspections of heating temperature management in high energy-consuming buildings.
District Mayor Lee Soon-hee stated, "We will do our best to ensure that residents can spend the winter safely and warmly through this comprehensive winter measure," and added, "We will actively respond to Gangbuk-gu's safety situation and strengthen practical support that residents can feel."
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