Expansion of Recycling Sorting Plant... Daily Processing Capacity Increased from 28 to 60 Tons
Introduction of Cutting-Edge Automated Sorting Equipment to Boost Resource Circulation Economy
Improved Working Environment for Worker Safety, Including Secured Rest Areas
1,650 Households to be Built in the Area of 685 Banghak-dong, Dobong-gu
- Up to 31 Floors, 13 Buildings, 1,650 Households Construction
- Creation of Public Pedestrian Pathways and More… Increased Convenience for Residents
Dobong-gu (Mayor Oh Eon-seok) announced that a total of 1,650 households will be built in the area of 685 Banghak-dong (site area 74,390㎡), consisting of up to 31 floors and 13 buildings.
On February 17, the Seoul Metropolitan Government held the ‘1st Urban Planning Committee Rapid Integrated Planning Redevelopment Project Delegated Subcommittee’ and approved the amendment of the ‘Designation as a Housing Maintenance-type Redevelopment Project Maintenance Area and Change of Maintenance Plan & Landscape Review (Draft)’ containing these details.
Previously, the area of 685 Banghak-dong was selected as a candidate site for the rapid integrated planning housing redevelopment project in December 2022, and the rapid integrated planning was completed in 2024.
Subsequently, the district went through procedures such as public inspection and hearing opinions from the district council before submitting this proposal to the Seoul Metropolitan Urban Planning Committee Delegated Subcommittee.
With this amendment approval, the area of 685 Banghak-dong will be reborn as a large complex housing 1,650 households. This is because the floor area ratio was significantly increased from the existing 217.85% to 270.17% by applying the business feasibility correction factor of the basic plan announced in September 2024.
The number of units available for sale increased from 1,211 to 1,351, and the estimated contribution per union member is expected to decrease significantly.
A public pedestrian pathway will be created in the target area. It will connect to the Banghak 1-dong Community Service Center and improve the poor pedestrian environment and road system.
Public facilities will also be supplied. Facilities such as senior job support centers, a northern cultural park, youth facilities above the park, and a public parking lot below the park will be established, expected to simultaneously solve parking issues and other local problems.
Oh Eon-seok, Mayor of Dobong-gu, said, “We will do our best to support the redevelopment project in the area of 685 Banghak-dong to establish it as a successful redevelopment model.” He added, “We will closely communicate and cooperate with experts in urban planning and related fields, as well as residents, to ensure the project proceeds in the direction desired by the residents.”
Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) announced that it will officially launch the ‘Resource Circulation Center Modernization Project’ from March to improve recycling sorting efficiency and activate the resource circulation economy.
The Resource Circulation Center, established in 2014, has been processing 28 tons of recyclables daily. However, as the amount of waste brought in has continuously increased, it became difficult to handle with the existing facilities alone.
The district plans to expand the recycling sorting plant and rearrange the workspace to increase the daily processing capacity to 60 tons. Additionally, cutting-edge automated equipment such as ▲optical sorters and ▲density ballistic sorters will be introduced to reduce manual labor and increase recycling sorting rates.
To improve workers’ working conditions, ▲fire prevention systems and ▲excellent exclusion facilities will be strengthened, and ▲rest areas will be newly secured to ensure sufficient rest.
The district aims to complete the detailed design, which forms the basis of the modernization project, by November this year, then start construction, targeting completion in the second half of 2026. Yeongdeungpo-gu Mayor Choi Ho-kwon said, “Through the Resource Circulation Center modernization project, we will increase recycling sorting rates and lay the foundation for activating the resource circulation system.”
‘Highly Popular Among Youth’ Mapo-style Study Cafe ‘Space’ to Open at Hongik University
Open Learning Space for Residents and Youth Created in Regional Contribution Facility at Hongik University Dormitory 1
Includes Autonomous Study Space ‘Space’, Electronic Library, and Multipurpose Room for Lectures and College Admission Counseling
Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Kang-soo) will create a regional contribution facility inside the newly planned Hongik University Dormitory 1 (95-3 Sangsu-dong) and operate it as a facility for local residents and youth.
‘Regional contribution facilities’ refer to privately owned facilities that are open to the public for public benefit.
According to Article 5 of the Private Sector Establishment Guidelines for the Sangsu Station Area District Unit Plan, when constructing integrated developments of 2,000㎡ or more, at least 5% of the development area must be provided as public contribution.
Accordingly, considering the location of Sangsu-dong, where educational facilities such as Seogang Elementary School, nearby Seogyo Elementary School, and Seongsan Middle School, as well as apartment complexes, are concentrated, Mapo-gu plans to make the public contribution part of Hongik University Dormitory 1 into an open learning space.
The space, approximately 418.28㎡ in size, will include the Mapo-style study cafe ‘Space’, an electronic library, and a multipurpose room.
‘Space’ is Mapo-gu’s autonomous study space where youth can study comfortably and safely without burden, receiving positive feedback from the local community.
Especially, the ‘Space’ installed at Mapo Central Library is so popular among youth that people line up even before opening hours.
Therefore, Mapo-gu plans to expand youth learning spaces by establishing ‘Space’ at Hongik University Dormitory 1.
Additionally, an electronic library equipped with shared computers, tablets, and laptops will be installed to reduce the burden of purchasing electronic devices for youth and improve learning efficiency and productivity.
Mapo-gu will also secure a multipurpose room here and collaborate with Hongik University to operate various lectures such as humanities lectures to improve residents’ quality of life.
In particular, leveraging the university’s human and material resources, career and college admission counseling programs for youth will be conducted, and admission strategy lectures for parents will be offered to actively support youth career exploration.
Hongik University Dormitory 1 is scheduled to begin construction in May 2025 and complete in August 2028. Mapo-gu expects the regional contribution facility at Hongik University Dormitory 1 to become a model for win-win development between the local community and the university. Park Kang-soo, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “We aim to leverage the advantage of having a university in the area to create the best infrastructure for local residents and youth,” adding, “Mapo-gu will do its best to ensure that regional contribution facilities operate for the benefit of residents.”
Seongdong Fitness Certification Center Protects Health from Infants to Seniors… Over 5,000 Users Annually
The Only Fitness Certification Center in Seoul Operated Directly by a Local Government, Fitness Measurement and Certification Available for Residents Aged 4-6 and 11 and Above
5,270 Fitness Measurements in 2024, High Satisfaction of 94.6% for Weekday Evening Non-face-to-face Fitness Improvement Classes for Workers
2024 Moderate or Higher Physical Activity Rate Increased by 4.7 Percentage Points to 29.5%, 4.4% Higher than Seoul Average of 25.1%
Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) operates the ‘Seongdong Fitness Certification Center,’ which plays a pivotal role in protecting residents’ health with over 5,000 annual fitness measurement participants.
In modern society with rapid aging, maintaining a healthy life requires appropriate physical activity, but participation rates vary greatly due to social and economic conditions. This disparity undermines health equity, and comprehensive promotion of physical activity is necessary to prevent diseases and reduce medical costs.
Accordingly, since 2013, Seongdong-gu has operated the ‘Seongdong Fitness Certification Center’ as part of the National Fitness 100 project by the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation. Among the seven fitness certification centers in Seoul, Seongdong-gu is the only one directly operated by a local government.
At the ‘Seongdong Fitness Certification Center,’ residents aged 4-6 and 11 and above can participate in fitness measurement and certification. Six to seven types of fitness, including muscle strength, muscular endurance, cardiopulmonary endurance, flexibility, agility, quickness, and coordination, are measured by life cycle, and certificates (grades 1 to 3) and participation certificates are issued according to fitness levels. In 2024, 5,270 people participated in fitness measurements, ranking first among seven centers in Seoul and fifth nationwide among 74 centers.
Various free fitness improvement programs for residents are also operated, with particularly high popularity for the ‘non-face-to-face fitness improvement classes’ accessible anywhere via video conferencing platforms. Last year, 9,540 of the total 13,112 participants (72.7%) joined the non-face-to-face program.
The weekday evening non-face-to-face fitness improvement class for workers also received high satisfaction. A 2024 satisfaction survey of 820 participants showed that 94.6% (776 people) were satisfied with the overall operation.
Since last year, the district has also operated year-round non-face-to-face fitness improvement classes for elderly people at local daytime care centers to prevent falls and strengthen muscle strength.
To improve accessibility, the center operates a visiting fitness measurement service. Last year, it conducted student health fitness assessments (PAPS) for about 1,900 students in 12 local elementary and middle schools and conducted fitness measurements three times a year for about 500 children in 23 daycare centers and early childhood physical education groups, providing parents with information on their children’s fitness development. The center is currently recruiting institutions and schools for the visiting fitness measurement service and plans to continue solid operations this year.
Events such as the ‘Silver Fitness King Contest’ and ‘Knowing My Health Fitness’ are held in cooperation with Seongdong-gu Urban Management Corporation to increase participation across various groups. The center also uses social networking services (SNS) like Instagram and YouTube to provide exercise information, promote activities, and offer online exercise counseling to enhance communication.
As a result of these efforts, the ‘2024 Community Health Survey’ showed that Seongdong-gu’s moderate or higher physical activity rate rose by 4.7 percentage points from 2023 to 29.5%, which is 4.4% higher than the Seoul average of 25.1%. Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “Since fitness decline and obesity lead to increased medical expenses and social costs, we operate the ‘Seongdong Fitness Certification Center’ thoroughly for all ages to promote residents’ fitness,” adding, “We will continue to implement high-quality health management projects so that residents can live healthy and vibrant lives up to 100 years old in Seongdong-gu.”
Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, is delivering a greeting speech at the launch ceremony of the Our Neighborhood Care Group.
‘Warm Hands Connecting Neighbors’... Jungnang-gu Holds ‘Our Neighborhood Care Team Launch Ceremony’
Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) held the ‘2025 Our Neighborhood Care Team’ launch ceremony on the 19th at the Jungnang-gu Office basement auditorium and began full-scale activities.
The ceremony was attended by care team members and related personnel, who pledged to strengthen community care.
‘Our Neighborhood Care Team’ is a human safety network composed of local residents that provides welfare checks and emotional support to households at high risk of solitary death. This year, a total of 97 care team members will operate in 16 neighborhoods, monitoring about 40 high-risk households per person weekly through visits or phone calls.
Especially this year, the system for focused management of high and medium-risk solitary death groups will be strengthened to build a more robust welfare safety net.
The ceremony included introductions and oaths of the care team, viewing of activity videos, and job training. Care team members shared their commitment to carefully check on neighbors throughout the year. Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said, “The warm hands of Our Neighborhood Care Team are the strongest safety net protecting the community,” adding, “We will continue to do our best to create a warm Jungnang without isolation by sharing neighborly affection.”
Gwanak-gu Opens Public Recruitment for Executives to Lead Gwanak Small and Medium Venture Promotion Agency
Recruiting ▲1 Chairman ▲1 CEO ▲6 Directors ▲1 Auditor to Lead the Hub of Venture Startups
Applications Accepted via Email until March 5… Final Candidates Selected through Document and Interview Screening
Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee), a city advancing as a hub of startups and innovation, is publicly recruiting executives to lead the ‘Gwanak Small and Medium Venture Promotion Agency’.
The ‘Gwanak Small and Medium Venture Promotion Agency’ is scheduled to launch in July. It will play a central role in revitalizing the venture startup ecosystem through systematic and professional support for startups in advanced technology fields and expanding startup infrastructure.
The recruitment targets are ▲1 CEO (full-time), ▲1 Chairman (part-time), ▲6 Directors, and ▲1 Auditor.
The CEO, who oversees the agency’s operations, will be selected considering expertise in venture startups and long-term vision for the development of Gwanak S Valley. The term is three years, and compensation follows agency regulations. The chairman and directors require knowledge and experience in management and the ability to contribute to regional economic development, with terms of three and two years respectively. The auditor requires expertise and experience in accounting and taxation, with a two-year term.
Applicants will be screened through document review and interviews by the executive recommendation committee, and the final candidates will be appointed by the district mayor. The application period is until March 5. Interested applicants should check the required documents and submit them via email to the project manager.
Details about the public recruitment for executives of the Gwanak Small and Medium Venture Promotion Agency can be found on the Gwanak-gu Office website (News → Announcements → Recruitment Notices).
Based on achievements such as CES 2025 Innovation Awards and overseas investment attraction by companies in Gwanak S Valley, the agency will actively support excellent venture startups’ overseas market entry and growth into unicorn companies. Park Jun-hee, Mayor of Gwanak-gu, said, “The Gwanak Small and Medium Venture Promotion Agency is a key institution to open the future of innovative economic city Gwanak,” adding, “We look forward to applications from capable individuals with passion and vision to lead Gwanak-gu as a global startup innovation hub.”
School Opening Approaching… Songpa-gu Permanently Operates ‘Sharing Uniform Store’
“Buy Used School Uniforms Cheaply and Protect the Environment!”
2,000 Donated Middle and High School Uniforms Available… Jackets 5,000 KRW, Daily Uniforms, Shirts, Pants 3,000 KRW
Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) announced that it is permanently operating the ‘Sharing Uniform Store’ (246 Munjeong-ro), where students can purchase school uniforms needed for the new school year at affordable prices.
The ‘Sharing Uniform Store’ in Macheon-dong stocks about 2,000 uniforms donated by graduates and schools. During the admission period in February and March each year, many students and parents visit to purchase well-maintained used middle and high school uniforms economically.
The uniforms, inspected and displayed, are well organized by school, gender, and season. Prices are 5,000 KRW for jackets and only 3,000 KRW for daily uniforms including shirts, pants, skirts, and vests. It is ideal for new students, transfer students who wear uniforms for a short period, and growing adolescents with frequent body changes.
Reusing uniforms like this not only reduces household burdens but also contributes to environmental protection, achieving a ‘win-win’ effect. The district stocks various recycled products in the store to encourage more residents to participate in resource circulation. Popular items include EM detergent and soap with excellent efficacy, and coffee grounds compost, which has recently gained attention for its high recycling value, being environmentally friendly and useful in daily life.
The production and operation of the store are managed by the ‘Songpa-gu Housewives Environmental Council,’ an environmental group with 30 years of experience, volunteering their services. Part of the sales proceeds is returned to the community through summer samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) sharing for local seniors and winter warm fund donations.
The Sharing Uniform Store operates weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on weekends and holidays. Unused uniforms can be donated by visiting the store individually, and it is more convenient to check stock by phone before purchasing uniforms. Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, “Ahead of the school opening, we hope many participate in uniform donation and purchase to reduce parents’ burdens and help students understand the value of resources and sharing,” adding, “We will continue to create various opportunities for residents to participate in resource recycling in daily life.”
Geumcheon-gu Calls for Proposals for 2026 Resident Participatory Budget Projects… Up to 300 Million KRW
Applications Accepted Until May 23 at District Office, Resident e-Participation Website, Email, or by Visit/Mail
Open to Geumcheon Residents, Workers, and Students in Geumcheon-gu, with Project Budgets up to 300 Million KRW per Proposal
Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon) announced that it is intensively calling for ‘Resident Participatory Budget Proposal Projects’ to be reflected in the 2026 budget until May 23.
The total scale of the 2026 resident participatory budget in Geumcheon-gu is 1.2 billion KRW, consisting of 800 million KRW for ‘resident proposal-type’ projects proposed directly by residents and 400 million KRW for ‘resident governance-type’ projects discovered through deliberation and public discussion.
This call targets the 800 million KRW ‘resident proposal-type’ projects. Applications can be submitted year-round, but to be reflected in the 2026 budget, they must be submitted by the concentrated call deadline of May 23.
Applicants must be Geumcheon residents, workers, or students in Geumcheon-gu. Proposals can be submitted for projects that alleviate daily inconveniences and improve residents’ welfare, with budgets up to 300 million KRW per project. However, event-type projects can apply for up to 20 million KRW.
Applications can be submitted online via the Geumcheon-gu Office or Resident e-Participation website. After filling out the project application form, applicants can submit it via email to the person in charge or visit/mail it to the Geumcheon-gu Office Autonomous Administration Division.
Proposals submitted during the call period will be reviewed by the relevant departments in June, evaluated by the Resident Participatory Budget Committee in July and August, and finalized through mobile resident voting and general meetings in September. Yoo Sung-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, said, “We will carefully review and collect various opinions from residents through project proposal calls to make Geumcheon-gu a better place to live,” adding, “We ask for residents’ interest and participation to propose projects that are truly needed in our district.”
Meanwhile, the 2025 resident participatory budget projects include 25 resident proposal-type and 11 resident governance-type projects, totaling 36. A total of 256 proposals were received from residents and finalized through committee review, mobile voting, and general meetings. Major projects include ▲installation of landscape lighting along Anyangcheon Stream walking path, ▲installation of road heating cables on steep roads, and ▲Anyangcheon Silent Cinema.
1,650 Households to be Built in the Area of 685 Banghak-dong, Dobong-gu
Up to 31 Floors, 13 Buildings, 1,650 Households Construction... Creation of Public Pedestrian Pathways and More… Increased Convenience for Residents
Dobong-gu (Mayor Oh Eon-seok) announced that a total of 1,650 households will be built in the area of 685 Banghak-dong (site area 74,390㎡), consisting of up to 31 floors and 13 buildings.
On February 17, the Seoul Metropolitan Government held the ‘1st Urban Planning Committee Rapid Integrated Planning Redevelopment Project Delegated Subcommittee’ and approved the amendment of the ‘Designation as a Housing Maintenance-type Redevelopment Project Maintenance Area and Change of Maintenance Plan & Landscape Review (Draft)’ containing these details.
Previously, the area of 685 Banghak-dong was selected as a candidate site for the rapid integrated planning housing redevelopment project in December 2022, and the rapid integrated planning was completed in 2024.
Subsequently, the district went through procedures such as public inspection and hearing opinions from the district council before submitting this proposal to the Seoul Metropolitan Urban Planning Committee Delegated Subcommittee.
With this amendment approval, the area of 685 Banghak-dong will be reborn as a large complex housing 1,650 households. This is because the floor area ratio was significantly increased from the existing 217.85% to 270.17% by applying the business feasibility correction factor of the basic plan announced in September 2024.
The number of units available for sale increased from 1,211 to 1,351, and the estimated contribution per union member is expected to decrease significantly.
A public pedestrian pathway will be created in the target area. It will connect to the Banghak 1-dong Community Service Center and improve the poor pedestrian environment and road system.
Public facilities will also be supplied. Facilities such as senior job support centers, a northern cultural park, youth facilities above the park, and a public parking lot below the park will be established, expected to simultaneously solve parking issues and other local problems. Oh Eon-seok, Mayor of Dobong-gu, said, “We will do our best to support the redevelopment project in the area of 685 Banghak-dong to establish it as a successful redevelopment model,” adding, “We will closely communicate and cooperate with experts in urban planning and related fields, as well as residents, to ensure the project proceeds in the direction desired by the residents.”
Apartment Garden Concerts, Visiting Orchestras, and More... Nowon-gu to Conduct 2025 Apartment Support Projects
Support for Maintenance of Common Facilities and Basic Facilities for Security Guards and Cleaners, Up to 45 Million KRW per Project
Applications Open in February for 286 Apartment Complexes in Nowon-gu
Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it will conduct the ‘2025 Apartment Support Project’ to create a pleasant residential environment and foster a cooperative local community.
About 80% of the housing in Nowon-gu consists of apartment complexes. Due to the district’s characteristics with many aging apartments, the district promotes various support projects to reduce the cost burden of maintenance and repair of common facilities and to promote communication and harmony among neighbors within apartment complexes.
This year, the district prioritized environmental improvement. It supports three areas: ▲maintenance of common facilities, ▲improvement of community activation facilities, and ▲basic facilities for security guards and cleaners.
First, the maintenance of common facilities project covers installation or repair of facilities such as sewage systems, disaster safety facilities, parking lots, and other eco-friendly facilities for energy saving within complexes, with support up to 45 million KRW per complex.
Renovation of community activation facilities such as cafes, lecture rooms, and childcare facilities for residents’ communal use is supported up to 10 million KRW.
The basic facilities for security guards and cleaners, which support their working environment, are supported up to 5 million KRW per complex. This includes facility construction for workspaces, rest areas, and restrooms, as well as some equipment.
Apartment complexes wishing to participate in the support project can apply by visiting the Apartment Support Division by February 28. After review in March, selected complexes will have explanatory meetings and sign support agreements in April. Since support targets vary by category, confirmation is necessary. More details are available on the Nowon-gu Office website.
Additionally, to promote communication and harmony among residents, cultural events such as ▲apartment garden concerts and ▲visiting orchestras are planned. These events provide opportunities for apartment residents to enjoy high-quality classical music in their everyday spaces and comfortably communicate with neighbors.
All performances are free and open to the public without reservation. Specific schedules and details can be found on the district office and Nowon Cultural Foundation websites. Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, said, “A pleasant residential environment in apartment complexes is directly related to residents’ lives,” adding, “We will strive to enable residents to enjoy happier and safer lives through continuous facility management and various programs encouraging resident participation.”
Guro-gu Calls for Participation in ‘Business Development Fund Support Project for (Preliminary) Social Enterprises’
Up to 10 Million KRW per Enterprise for up to 5 Years... Applications Accepted March 5-7 at District Office Job Support Division
Guro-gu is recruiting companies to participate in the 2025 business development fund support project for (preliminary) social enterprises.
The business development fund support project provides up to 10 million KRW annually per enterprise for up to 5 years to establish a sustainable and stable foundation for (preliminary) social enterprise independence.
Eligible applicants are certified social enterprises or preliminary social enterprises (regional or ministry type) selected for the 2025 innovation project or village enterprises that have received financial support. Enterprises with contract termination due to fraudulent receipt or subsidy recovery history are excluded.
The project period is from contract signing to November 30. Eligible expenses include ▲research and development (R&D) costs such as trademark and technology development, ▲promotion and additional service development, ▲market demand surveys related to services and sales, ▲prototype production, arts and performance planning, ▲product performance and quality improvement costs, ▲customer management expenses, ▲patent and certification acquisition costs, ▲new business entry and strategic business model discovery costs, ▲existing and new website development and construction, and ▲education and training costs.
The maximum support amount is 10 million KRW per enterprise, with a maximum support period of 5 years. Total support during the period cannot exceed 50 million KRW. Participating enterprises must bear at least 10% of the total project cost as self-funding.
Guro-gu will finalize support decisions and amounts after review by the Social Economy Promotion Committee in March and sign contracts in April before disbursing subsidies. The district will also conduct project monitoring, provide education on subsidy management, and perform regular inspections to ensure proper subsidy management.
Interested companies can apply in person at the Job Support Division of the district office from March 5 to 7 by 6 p.m. and submit related documents via email.
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