Songpa-gu to Operate "Visiting Umbrella Repair Center" Through October

Up to Two Umbrellas Per Person
Service Rotates Through 27 Community Centers

Songpa-gu in Seoul will continue to operate the "Visiting Umbrella Repair Center," a service that repairs residents' broken umbrellas and parasols, in the second half of this year.

This project, which began in 2018, is one of Songpa-gu's flagship community-based services. It goes beyond simply repairing broken umbrellas; it has established itself as a meaningful initiative that helps residents preserve cherished personal items, reduces unnecessary consumption, and contributes to resource circulation and environmental protection.

Appearance of Songpa-gu Visiting Umbrella Repair Center. Provided by Songpa-gu.

Although umbrellas are often considered disposable items to be discarded and replaced when broken, in reality, many umbrellas hold special significance, such as those received as gifts from family, purchased for special occasions, or used for many years. Residents with such stories continue to visit the repair center.

Last year, a total of 5,280 people used the service, resulting in the repair of 7,679 umbrellas. During the rainy season in July and August, there were more than 2,400 repairs, highlighting a significant increase in usage due to heavy rainfall.

The "Visiting Umbrella Repair Center" will continue through October this year. It operates by rotating among the 27 local community centers in Songpa-gu, visiting each center once a month. The center is open on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with repair requests accepted until 3:30 p.m.

Each person can have up to two umbrellas repaired. The repair service is free of charge, but users are responsible for the cost of materials such as parts. However, repairs are not available for high-priced imported parasols, umbrellas for which parts are difficult to obtain, or golf umbrellas.

Umbrellas are made from a combination of materials such as metal, plastic, and fabric, making them one of the household waste items that are difficult to separate and recycle. Simply repairing and reusing them provides a practical benefit by reducing waste and protecting the environment. The repair schedule can be found in the announcements section of the Songpa-gu Office website.

Seo Gangseok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, stated, "The Umbrella Repair Center is a meaningful project that spreads a culture of resource recycling through small actions in daily life," adding, "We will continue to identify and expand practical community services that reduce inconvenience for residents and contribute to resource recycling."