Geumcheon District Wins Grand Prize in Community Alcohol Harm Prevention Project Evaluation

Selected as the Top Best Practice in the Ministry of Health and Welfare Evaluation

Geumcheon District in Seoul (District Mayor Yoo Seonghun) announced on November 28 that it has received the Minister of Health and Welfare Award, the top prize for best practices, in the “2025 Community Alcohol Harm Prevention Project” evaluation organized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Designated Geumju Park. Provided by Geumcheon District Office.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare selects exemplary cases from projects implemented by local governments to prevent alcohol-related harm and promote a culture of moderate drinking in communities. The evaluation covers public health centers in cities, provinces, and districts nationwide, combining quantitative and qualitative assessments to select one grand prize winner, two excellence awardees, and seven merit awardees. Geumcheon District was honored with the grand prize among them.

To address frequent complaints from residents about habitual intoxicated individuals in local parks, Geumcheon District amended the relevant ordinance in October last year to establish the legal basis for designating alcohol-free parks. Subsequently, on May 26 this year, three parks were designated as alcohol-free zones, and the district began full-scale activities to prevent alcohol-related harm.

To this end, the district formed the “Alcohol Environment and Culture Improvement Council” in cooperation with Geumcheon Police Station, Baeksan District Police Office, Geumcheon Police Substation, Geumcheon District Mental Health Welfare Center, and the Geumcheon District Branch of the Korea Foodservice Industry Association. The council carried out a range of initiatives, including joint patrols of alcohol-free parks, campaigns promoting moderate drinking, a “garden prescription project” combining horticultural programs, and self-assessment for alcohol use disorder among intoxicated individuals.

As a result, a resident satisfaction survey found that 76% of respondents said “alcohol consumption in parks has decreased,” and the number of 112 emergency calls declined by 9.5% compared to the same period the previous year.

Additionally, the district is promoting a healthy culture of moderate drinking through the “Prevention of Heavy Intoxication Street Project.” In collaboration with the Geumcheon District Branch of the Korea Foodservice Industry Association, the district provided education on moderate drinking and guidelines for responding to intoxication incidents to 22 local alcohol-selling establishments, and attached “Prevention of Heavy Intoxication Practice” stickers to participating businesses.

Public health center staff and university student supporters for moderate drinking visited stores in person to inform owners and employees about the seriousness of alcohol-related harm and to provide guidance on practicing moderation.

In addition, the district continues to hold campaigns promoting moderate drinking in areas with high foot traffic, such as subway stations and commercial districts, and offers tailored alcohol harm prevention education for both youth and adults.

Yoo Seonghun, Mayor of Geumcheon District, stated, “A proper drinking culture is an essential element for building a healthy and safe community,” and added, “We will continue to work closely with the community to make Geumcheon District safe from alcohol-related harm.”