Administrative Efforts Focused on Protecting Vulnerable Groups
and Reducing Urban Temperatures
As heatwave advisories continue to be issued across the country, this summer's record-breaking heat is intensifying. With heatwave warnings being expanded and strengthened, each district office in Seoul is making every effort to respond to the heat by operating cooling shelters, protecting vulnerable groups, and expanding heat mitigation facilities.
As the hot weather continued and heatwave warnings were issued in most regions nationwide, a citizen is fanning themselves in front of a cooling fog at Seoul Plaza on the 1st. Photo by Yonhap News.
Gwangjin District has designated the period until September 30 as the implementation period for its heatwave care service and is working to protect those who may fall through the cracks of the care system. The Care SOS Heatwave Response program checks in on households vulnerable to summer heatwaves and assists with improving their living conditions.
This year, due to the increased risk of heatwaves caused by climate change, the care service period has been extended by more than a month compared to last year. Households with less than 130% of the median income, where a single resident has difficulty moving or living independently, will receive 700,000 won per person in support. Including costs for installing insect screens and doors, replacing floor mats, changing handles, and transportation expenses, the maximum support can reach up to 1.05 million won.
Songpa District has formed a Heatwave Response Task Force led by the Urban Safety Division, with cooperation from eight departments, to conduct real-time monitoring and operate a phased response system. The district is focusing on protecting vulnerable groups such as elderly people living alone and expanding heat mitigation facilities, making every effort to minimize heatwave damage.
The district, centered around the Urban Safety Division, has established a Heatwave Response Task Force with eight cooperating departments, operating real-time monitoring and a phased response system. In particular, the focus is on protecting vulnerable groups such as elderly people living alone and expanding heat mitigation facilities, with the goal of minimizing heatwave damage.
Jungnang District also held a 'Comprehensive Heatwave Countermeasures Meeting' on July 2 and began preparing department-specific response plans. The district is currently operating a 'Comprehensive Heatwave Support Situation Room' composed of five teams and twelve departments, including the Situation Control Team, Health Management Support Team, and Welfare Countermeasures Team, in response to the issuance of heatwave warnings. If large-scale damage occurs due to the heatwave, a Heatwave Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, headed by the district mayor, will also be activated.
Protective measures for those vulnerable to heatwaves, such as elderly people living alone, homeless people, and those with chronic illnesses, are being meticulously implemented. The district is conducting welfare checks and health monitoring for about 1,500 elderly people living alone and 4,000 home health care recipients. Ten safe accommodations and 142 cooling shelters have been prepared to provide rest areas. For outdoor workers who are highly exposed to heatwaves, various protective measures are being implemented, including guaranteed rest periods, flexible working hours, and the provision of cooling supplies.
Nowon District has established 'Four Major Comprehensive Heatwave Countermeasures' and is taking preemptive action to minimize heatwave damage.
The district's signature heatwave response program, the 'Healing Refrigerator,' has been installed in high-traffic areas such as riversides and walking trails. This year, three more locations have been added compared to last year, bringing the total to 18. Last year, an average of 53,000 bottles of water per day, totaling about 1.8 million bottles, were provided.
Cooling shelters for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled are being operated, as well as nighttime cooling shelters for the elderly and other vulnerable groups through agreements with nearby lodging businesses.
A district official stated, "As heatwaves have become a part of daily life, it is more important than ever to establish effective measures to protect vulnerable groups and reduce urban temperatures," and urged, "Residents should refrain from outdoor activities during heatwave advisories and actively use safety facilities such as cooling shelters."
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