First Autonomous District to Realize a “Sustainable Smart City”
Gwanak District in Seoul (Mayor Park Junhee) became the first among Seoul’s autonomous districts to receive the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister’s Award at the 2025 Korea Digital Innovation Award, hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT. The award ceremony was held on November 14.
Gwanak District (center, Park Junhee, Mayor of Gwanak District) awarded the Minister's Award at the Korea Digital Innovation Awards. Provided by Gwanak District.
The Korea Digital Innovation Award is a government honor given to individuals or organizations that have contributed to establishing Korea as a digital powerhouse through the development, dissemination, and convergence of information and communication technology (ICT).
Gwanak District was recognized for its leadership in building a sustainable future city by creating a “Smart City Gwanak” based on artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, establishing safety infrastructure to address climate change and disasters, and expanding digital welfare services using ICT.
The district installed “smart shelters” near bus stops in front of hospitals, parks, and schools to improve mobility for pedestrians vulnerable to heat waves and cold spells. These shelters are equipped with air conditioning and public Wi-Fi, provide bus arrival information and district news through internal monitors and kiosks, and offer smart healthcare experience features.
In addition, Gwanak District has established 45 “smart senior centers” to support healthy aging for seniors. These centers are equipped with non-face-to-face video systems, IoT-based healthcare devices, experience kiosks, and healing smart farms, further strengthening the district’s digital welfare services.
The district has also enhanced resident safety by integrating various digital technologies into administration, such as child safety beacons for daycare centers using IoT, smart watches for seniors with dementia, a CCTV-integrated platform for tracking missing persons, and smart poles in school zones to prevent traffic accidents involving children.
In 2019, Gwanak District took the lead among local governments nationwide by establishing a dedicated smart city organization and enacting relevant ordinances to create an institutional foundation. In 2023, it obtained “Smart City Certification” from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, solidifying its position as a leading district in digital administration.
Mayor Park Junhee stated, “This award is a valuable recognition of Gwanak District’s long-standing efforts in digital innovation administration to realize a smart city,” adding, “We will continue to actively implement digital administrative services to enhance the quality of life for our residents.”
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