[Interview] Ryoo Kyung-gi, Jungnang District Mayor: "Through 'Jungnang Donghaeng Sarangnet,' Residents Cooperate... We Will Build a Culture of Sharing"

Nation's First 'Jungnang-type Integrated Welfare Platform' Developed
Connecting Residents through Donation, Networking, Talent Sharing, Health, and Education Projects
Linking Residents Who Want to Help with Those in Need

"We have created a new welfare platform unique to Jungnang-gu that connects people in need with those who can help, for the first time nationwide."

In an interview, Ryu Gyeong-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, explained, "'Jungnang Donghaeng Sarangnet' is a Jungnang-type welfare brand born to become a warm link in the local community beyond a simple welfare program," adding, "Based on the goal of '400,000 residents helping 400,000 residents,' we have gathered various welfare and volunteer services that have been carried out online and offline into one platform."

Jungnang Donghaeng Sarangnet started from Mayor Ryu’s determination to eliminate welfare blind spots. Jungnang-gu is a super-aged society with 21% of its population aged 65 or older, resulting in high welfare demand. However, since the overall welfare expenditure growth rate in South Korea is relatively slow, it is judged that the gap must be filled through public-private cooperation.

Mayor Ryu explained the background of creating 'Jungnang Donghaeng Sarangnet,' saying, "To overcome the limits of rapidly increasing welfare demand, we designed a Jungnang-type welfare model," and "We want to leverage the strength of Jungnang, where neighbors have much interest and affection for each other, to create a better welfare community."

'Jungnang Donghaeng Sarangnet' is attracting attention for its unique operation method that combines an online platform, an offline platform, and an education platform.

In particular, the newly established online platform scheduled for early next year plans to operate by subdividing volunteer areas into five fields: ▲donation ▲relationship building ▲talent sharing ▲health ▲education. Users can select the projects they want to participate in among the five major fields, and each project manager will check the information of service providers and recipients to connect them. Each area includes 73 volunteer fields such as cash or in-kind support, network formation, talent sharing, health management and prevention, and mentoring, all incorporated into the online platform.

The online platform provides integrated welfare information to users and allows them to view connections, donations, and volunteer activities all at once, making it easily accessible to anyone. Additionally, an 'Online Hall of Fame' for outstanding volunteers will be operated to promote donation and volunteer culture.

Residents who have difficulty accessing the online platform can give and receive help through the offline platform, where they can meet and communicate directly. By supporting meeting spaces where residents can gather, interact, and cooperate, and through sharing markets, the plan is to strengthen community bonds and discover hidden crisis households and welfare blind spots.

Furthermore, the education platform, 'Jungnang Donghaeng Academy,' will operate to nurture citizen leaders who can contribute to the community. Through education, residents will acquire welfare knowledge and community leadership skills, enabling them to solve various local problems independently and participate in 'Jungnang Donghaeng Sarangnet.'

Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi emphasized the role of the welfare platform, saying, "'Jungnang Donghaeng Sarangnet' focuses on lowering the threshold for participation and expanding areas of help," and "Anyone can contribute with their talents, time, or even small interest and receive the help they need, connecting Jungnang residents."

On the 19th, a proclamation ceremony for 'Jungnang Donghaeng Sarangnet' was held, gathering many residents to share the will to realize a welfare community and its development direction. During the ceremony, a tripartite agreement was signed among Jungnang-gu Office, the Community Chest of Korea, and the Jungnang-gu Social Welfare Council. The distribution of donations and donated goods collected through residents' participation will be overseen by the Social Welfare Council, strengthening the sharing network among the three parties. The plan is to enable the execution of projects tailored to local characteristics.

Mayor Ryu said, "We expect 'Jungnang Donghaeng Sarangnet' to become a connecting link not only among residents but also among volunteer organizations active throughout Jungnang-gu," adding, "Although there are many volunteers and organizations in Jungnang-gu, many residents are unaware of this. Once 'Jungnang Donghaeng Sarangnet' becomes widely known, anyone can come anytime to give and receive help." He also viewed the launch of the welfare platform as a new beginning for welfare in Jungnang-gu and expressed his determination to create a warmer Jungnang together with residents.