Operation of 70 Emergency Medical Institutions 24 Hours a Day
Average of 1,700 Hospitals and Clinics Open Daily
Meal Support for Low-Income Seniors and Children at Risk of Food Insecurity During the Holiday
A total of 70 emergency medical institutions and emergency room operating hospitals will operate 24 hours a day during the Lunar New Year holiday next week. The number of hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies open during the 8-day holiday period will reach an average of 1,700 per day, totaling 13,000 places, which is 300 more than last year's Lunar New Year.
On the 19th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will implement the '2025 Lunar New Year Comprehensive Measures' to ensure the safety of Seoul citizens during the Lunar New Year holiday period.
The Lunar New Year comprehensive measures, which will be carried out from the 24th of this month to February 3rd, consist of 16 promotion tasks in four major areas: ▲Citizen Safety ▲Livelihood Stability ▲Traffic Measures ▲Living Environment. First, to maintain an uninterrupted emergency medical system during the Lunar New Year holiday, a total of 70 emergency medical institutions (49 places) and emergency room operating hospitals (21 places) in the city will operate 24 hours a day as usual. Emergency medical institutions include 31 regional and local emergency medical centers such as Seoul National University Hospital and 18 local emergency medical institutions such as Seoul Seongshim Hospital. The number of emergency room operating hospitals outside emergency medical institutions increased by 3 from last year's Lunar New Year to 21.
In particular, to provide prompt response to pediatric emergency patients, 8 'Our Child Safety Hospitals' (mild to semi-emergency) and 3 'Our Child Specialized Emergency Centers' (severe to emergency) will also operate 24 hours a day. The number of hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies open has significantly increased to about 13,000 compared to last year's Lunar New Year.
For food safety, inspections on false or missing origin labeling will be conducted on about 3,000 agricultural, marine, and livestock product handling businesses such as traditional markets and large marts. If violations are found, they will be reported or fined.
Inspections on gas leakage and safety device operation for gas supply facilities (1,101 places) and multi-use facilities (687 places), which have a risk of fire during winter, were completed on the 17th. Fire safety inspections on fire facilities, evacuation, and fire prevention facility management by fire safety inspectors from 25 fire stations will also be completed by the 24th at a total of 1,000 major facilities including airport passenger terminals, bus terminals, and neighborhood living facilities.
Support measures for livelihoods have also been prepared. Free meals will be continuously provided to low-income seniors aged 60 and over and children at risk of food insecurity during the holiday period. In cooperation with the private sector, food worth 180 million KRW will be distributed, and from the 20th of this month to the 17th of next month, the 'Lunar New Year Citizen Food Sharing Campaign' will help warm the daily lives of our neighbors. A consolation payment of 30,000 KRW per household will be given to basic livelihood security households (recipients of livelihood and medical benefits). This year, about 249,000 households will receive the payment, which is about 15,000 more households than last year.
To revitalize the local economy, a refund event will be held where up to 30% of the purchase amount of domestic agricultural, livestock, and marine products will be returned in Onnuri gift certificates. The number of participating traditional markets is 47, more than double compared to 23 during last year's Lunar New Year. In addition, to alleviate transportation inconveniences for citizens on the Lunar New Year day and the following day, when a concentration of returning travelers is expected, subway and city bus last service times will be extended. The late-night N buses will also operate normally during the Lunar New Year holiday. To facilitate smooth movement of outbound and inbound travelers, express and intercity buses departing from Seoul will increase by 20% for 11 days from the 24th to the 3rd of next month.
Song Gwangnam, Director of Policy Planning at Seoul City, said, "We have prepared convenience measures in cooperation with the public and private sectors so that Seoul citizens and travelers can have a safe and warm Lunar New Year." He added, "This year, we will focus on measures and support that citizens can feel to secure their health and safety and to revive the economy, which has been sluggish due to various social circumstances."
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