Seongdong District to Enhance Student Safety and Environment for New Semester

Strengthening Traffic Safety and Environmental Maintenance on School Commute Routes

Seongdong District in Seoul, led by District Mayor Jeong Won-oh, is implementing comprehensive support measures to ensure safe school commutes and create a pleasant school environment for students ahead of the opening of the second semester. These measures will be rolled out sequentially from mid-August to early September, in line with the opening schedules of 39 schools within the district.

Seongdong District has launched support measures to improve safety and the environment on school routes ahead of the second semester opening. Operation of the Walking School Bus. Provided by Seongdong District.

Seongdong District has placed a strong emphasis on traffic safety along school routes. The number of “Walking School Bus” routes will be expanded from 38 to 44, and 127 traffic safety instructors will be deployed to accompany and support the commutes of 1,063 first- to third-grade elementary school students. In addition, the “Our Children’s Traffic Safety Guardians” program will assign 136 personnel to school routes in the morning and 41 in the afternoon to high-risk areas near schools. The district will also reinforce the student safety network by running a “School Zone Traffic Guidance Project” in conjunction with a senior employment program.

Thorough safety inspections and facility maintenance will be carried out around schools. Earlier this month, the district identified 17 requests through a joint inspection involving 10 departments, including the Education Support Division. Tailored on-site measures will be implemented, such as relocating a utility pole in front of the main gate at Gyeongil Elementary School, strengthening enforcement against illegal parking around Geumho Elementary School, repairing the fence and wall at Gyeongsu Middle School, and ensuring the safety of school routes affected by construction vehicles at Gyeongil High School.

Student safety is the top priority in areas near schools where large-scale construction projects are underway. The district will completely prohibit construction vehicle traffic during school commute hours, implement a real-name system for construction vehicles, and intensify on-site inspections and enforcement.

Efforts are also being made to create a pleasant educational environment. The district will conduct water cleaning on school routes at 23 elementary schools, washing sidewalks, fences, and signs. Three types of autumn flower seedlings, including Aster, will be provided to schools and daycare centers. Additional support will be offered to schools that request further improvements to green spaces.

Jeong Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong District, stated, “I will ensure that the safety and environmental measures implemented with the start of the new semester proceed smoothly,” adding, “We will do our utmost to create an environment where students can feel secure and focus on their studies.”