Managing Children's Sugar Intake with Sonmok Doctor 9988: Launch of the Deol Daldal Expedition

Inauguration Ceremony Held at Seoul City Hall on the 29th
Dr. Jung Heewon, Advocate of "Slow Aging," Attends
Earn Points by Completing Missions

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is launching the "Deol Daldal Expedition," a program that uses its flagship policy, Sonmok Doctor 9988, to help manage children's sugar intake. The inauguration ceremony was graced by Dr. Jung Heewon, who popularized the concept of "slow aging."

The city announced that it held the inauguration ceremony for the "Deol Daldal Expedition," a program designed to manage excessive sugar intake for elementary school students and their families, at Seoul City Hall on the afternoon of July 29.

According to a recent survey by the Seoul Institute of Health and Environment, sugar intake from beverages among Seoul's adolescents reaches 44% of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended standard, and the percentage of those who drink sugary beverages three or more times a week is the highest in the country. In response, the city launched the Deol Daldal Expedition to raise awareness about sugar consumption among children and to drive practical, action-oriented change.

The Deol Daldal Expedition is the first program in the country to use mobile technology to monitor children's sugar intake and support the development of healthy eating habits. Recruitment for participants began on July 16, and within just one week, the number of applicants surpassed 10,000, demonstrating strong interest.

At the inauguration ceremony, more than 300 people attended, including 100 pre-registered children and their families. In the first part of the event, activities such as music games and health quizzes were held to increase children's awareness of low-sugar diets in a fun atmosphere. In the second part, expedition families wrote down their personal commitments to healthy eating, reinforcing their determination to take on the challenge. Mayor Oh Sehoon and Dr. Jung Heewon discussed these pledges with the participants.

After the inauguration, participating families will begin a 90-day program using the Sonmok Doctor 9988 app. Through the app, they will check their daily sugar intake and complete a three-stage low-sugar diet mission. Each week, participating families will receive a report showing their child's average sugar intake and pre- and post-participation obesity percentile index, along with feedback comparing their results to peer averages.

Participants can earn up to 20,000 Deol Daldal Expedition points by completing missions. These points can be exchanged for mobile book vouchers or donated. To prevent participants from dropping out midway, various interactive events, including in-person offline challenges, will continue to be offered.

Mayor Oh stated, "Today's small decision will be a new beginning that makes your body and mind healthier," and added, "Seoul will always be by your side until the day you, who started as a Deol Daldal Expedition member, become a 'health master.'"