[Interview] Jung Won-oh, Seongdong District Mayor, "We Will Establish an Integrated Local Care Support System to Prepare for a Super-Aged Society"

‘Seongdong-type Integrated Local Care’ Covering Housing and Health
Expansion of Smart Healthcare Centers and Full-scale Promotion of Home Medical Services

Seongdong-gu, Seoul is establishing an integrated local care support system in preparation for entering a super-aged society and is promoting various projects for “Healthy Aging.” In an interview with this publication, Jeong Won-oh, the mayor of Seongdong-gu, emphasized that the core task is to establish a system that can address housing and care within the local community.

"Seongdong-gu will become a leading model for establishing an integrated local care support system"

- What is the background for Seongdong-gu’s initiative to establish an integrated local care support system?

"As of the end of 2024, South Korea has entered a super-aged society with the population aged 65 and over exceeding 20%. Seongdong-gu is also rapidly aging, with the population aged 65 and over surpassing 50,000, accounting for 18.7% of the total population. Considering this reality, we determined that it is essential to transform the existing care system and establish a community-centered integrated care system."

- What is the core goal of the integrated local care support system?

"To respond to a super-aged society, the concept of care must be expanded to ‘Healthy Aging.’ It is important not only to focus on hospital and nursing facility-centered care but also to help seniors continue living healthy lives where they have been living. To this end, Seongdong-gu is building a ‘Seongdong-type integrated local care support system’ that connects various fields such as medical care, nursing, health, and housing."

Smart Healthcare Centers, Expansion to All Neighborhoods (Dong)

- How is the specific implementation plan progressing?

"First, we began full-scale project implementation after being selected for the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s ‘Medical and Care Integrated Support Pilot Project (Technology Support Type).’ To efficiently carry out the project, we established the ‘Integrated Care Officer’ directly under the Deputy Mayor, organically linking health, housing, and care projects to build a demand-centered care system."

- What is the role of the ‘Smart Healthcare Center’ opened last year?

"The Smart Healthcare Center is a facility that helps seniors perform strength exercises and manage their health. It is equipped with a scientific health status measurement system, providing integrated support not only for seniors’ physical health but also for emotional, cognitive, and nutritional management. The first center was opened in Sakeun-dong in December last year, and the second center opened in Songjeong-dong in March. Another center is scheduled to open in Wangsimni 2-dong within this year, and the long-term goal is to install Smart Healthcare Centers in every neighborhood (dong)."

‘Hyosarang Health Primary Care Physician’ Expanded to Long-term Care Home Medical Services

- I heard there are plans to expand home medical services as well.

"That’s correct. The existing ‘Hyosarang Health Primary Care Physician’ visiting health management project has been expanded into the ‘Long-term Care Home Medical Pilot Project.’ Previously, the main targets were seniors aged 65 and over and health-vulnerable groups, but now services are also provided to seniors who have been rated for long-term care. Through this, we aim to closely link medical care, nursing, and care so that seniors can live healthily in the community without relying on hospitals or nursing facilities."

Strengthening Housing Improvement Projects... “Fall Prevention is Key”

- You are also carrying out housing environment improvement projects. What is the necessity for this?

"Most accidents among seniors, excluding diseases, are caused by ‘falls.’ Especially since falls frequently occur at home, preventing them is very important. Since 2022, Seongdong-gu has expanded housing improvement projects nationwide for seniors who have been rated for long-term care. We are improving the housing environment by installing fall prevention mats and reinforcing anti-slip facilities to help seniors live safely."

"Strengthening the Linkage of Medical Care, Nursing, and Care to Realize an Inclusive City Seongdong"

- Could you share your future goals and plans?

"Seongdong-gu will continue to strengthen the linkage between medical care, nursing, and care to eliminate care gaps for seniors. Especially with the upcoming enforcement of the ‘Act on Integrated Support for Regional Care such as Medical and Nursing’ in 2026, we will build a more robust community-centered care safety net. The establishment of this integrated local care support system will be an important turning point in completing ‘Seongdong, an inclusive city where everyone is happy,’ a project that has been promoted since the 6th local government administration."

Throughout the interview, Mayor Jeong Won-oh emphasized the importance of community care and reiterated that Seongdong-gu will proactively respond to support seniors to live healthier and more stable lives. Attention is focused on what changes Seongdong-gu’s pioneering policies will bring in South Korea, which has entered a super-aged society.