Yongsan-gu Establishes Winter Cold Wave Response System... Operates TF Team

Focused Protection for Elderly and Ssokbangchon Residents Vulnerable to Cold Waves

Yongsan-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Park Hee-young) has established a cold wave response system to ensure that residents can safely endure the winter as the severe cold season begins in earnest.

The main plans include focused protection for cold wave vulnerable groups, safety management of cold wave vulnerable facilities, operation of community-based cold wave mitigation facilities, and promotion of cold wave action guidelines.

Yongsan District Office building. Provided by Yongsan District Office.

The district has set the cold wave countermeasure period until March 15 of next year and operates a dedicated cold wave situation management task force (TF). When a cold wave advisory is issued, the task force expands to operate as the ‘Cold Wave Countermeasure Headquarters.’ The headquarters consists of 30 members divided into four teams: situation management, welfare measures, facility management, and publicity support.

The district has prepared measures to protect vulnerable groups susceptible to cold waves. A total of 1,271 disaster helpers (including life support workers, social workers, and public officials) visit or make welfare calls to check on the health and safety of vulnerable residents.

Additionally, one senior center in each of the 16 neighborhoods is designated as a cold wave shelter, operating from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., open to anyone. At night, one shelter is designated for housing-vulnerable groups affected by the cold wave, operating from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. the next day. Residents wishing to use the shelter can obtain a confirmation certificate through their neighborhood community service center or the district office’s Senior Welfare Division.

The district focuses on protecting vulnerable groups such as homeless people and residents of jjokbangchon (small room villages). Winter supplies (hot packs, gloves, etc.) are provided to the homeless, and 800 fire safety kits are distributed to jjokbangchon residents. Furthermore, the ‘Homeless Street Counseling Team,’ consisting of two teams with four members, patrols twice daily to provide counseling and connect homeless individuals to facilities.

A ‘Visiting Health Management Program’ is also operated for vulnerable groups requiring care, such as elderly living alone, disabled persons, and chronic patients. This program identifies high-risk vulnerable individuals in each neighborhood in advance, and 16 visiting health management nurses make welfare calls and conduct home visits to check their health status.

Safety management of cold wave vulnerable facilities is also strengthened. Safety inspections are conducted on gas supply facilities (40 city gas sites), and patrols are intensified for facilities at risk of freezing, such as public restrooms (9 locations) and water supply facilities in parks (24 locations). Additionally, a cooperative system and emergency contact network with related organizations have been established to prepare for power outages.

To provide warmth even during the cold winter, community-based cold wave mitigation facilities are operated. The district installed ‘36.5℃ Yongsanpum-e’ cold windbreak facilities, applying Yongsan-gu’s unique public design, around 19 bus stops in the district. Also, 135 heated seats are operated at 132 bus stops for the convenience of residents using public transportation.

Moreover, five bus stops have ‘Yongsan-type Smart Shelters’ installed and are currently in operation, with one more to be installed and operated within this month. Smart shelters provide a comfortable environment to wait for buses during cold waves and heatwaves while experiencing smart technology. They operate at six locations: in front of Yongsan Station Plaza, Hangangjin Station and Blue Square, Soonchunhyang University Hospital and Hannam Five-way Intersection, Ichon-dong Hangaram Apartment and Ichon Station, in front of Hyochang Park Station and Lee Bong-chang Station Ulrim Hall, and the Korea Senior Citizens Association (scheduled to operate from December 30).

The district plans to actively inform residents of cold wave action guidelines through various promotional channels when a cold wave advisory is issued.

District Mayor Park Hee-young said, “This winter, we have established a proactive cold wave response system to protect the safety of our residents,” adding, “Through close cooperation between the district office, neighborhood community centers, and related organizations, we will carefully monitor the health and safety of seniors and vulnerable groups among our residents.”