"Supporting Tongjang and Banjang Health"... Yongsan District to Provide 100,000 Won for Health Checkups

Ordinance Revised to Support Program
Subsidy Operates on a Biennial Basis

On January 21, Yongsan District in Seoul (District Mayor Park Heeyoung) announced that it will provide up to 100,000 won per person for health checkup expenses to tongjang (block leaders) and banjang (section leaders) who are active at the forefront of the local community. This initiative is the first of its kind at the district level and aims to support the healthy activities of tongjang and banjang and boost their morale.

Yongsan District Office exterior. Provided by Yongsan District Office.

Last August, the district revised the 'Yongsan District Tong and Ban Installation Ordinance' to establish a legal basis and secured a total budget of 113.77 million won.

As of January this year, there are 330 tongjang and 1,755 banjang currently serving in Yongsan District. They play a key role in all areas of local administration, including gathering residents' opinions, delivering administrative information, verifying resident registration, welfare work, and snow removal operations.

The health checkup subsidy will be provided every other year, depending on the year of birth. This year, tongjang and banjang whose registered year of birth is an even number are eligible. Those wishing to receive support must submit relevant documents, such as a checkup receipt issued by the hospital, to their local community center by the 10th of each month after undergoing a health checkup. The subsidy will be paid around the 20th of each month. Outpatient treatment costs or expenses for treatment and procedures incurred during the checkup, other than comprehensive health checkups, are excluded from the subsidy.

Yongsan District views the tongjang and banjang organization as the "capillaries of administration" and is also pursuing various projects to strengthen their capabilities and revitalize the organization. Last year, the district conducted a total of six training sessions for 256 banjang, including role education and visits to major administrative facilities. In addition, through on-site communication meetings with the district mayor, 565 banjang were met and 159 suggestions were heard.

This year, the district plans to continue efforts to expand tongjang and banjang participation in district affairs and boost morale by promoting meetings and workshops between dong chiefs and banjang in each neighborhood.

Park Heeyoung, Mayor of Yongsan District, said, "Through the support for health checkup expenses, I hope that tongjang and banjang will continue to participate in district affairs in good health," adding, "We will continue our efforts to improve the treatment and revitalize the organization of tongjang and banjang, whose scope of work is gradually expanding."