Seocho-gu Forms 'Seocho Prevention Team' with 300 Residents United in Purpose

Over 300 Local Residents Form 'Seocho Disinfection Team' for COVID-19 Response; Implementing Thorough 'Visiting Disinfection' in Apartment Complexes, Bus Stops, and Subway Station Entrances... 'Safety Task Force' Also Operated at Large Events with Over 100 Participants

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seocho-gu (District Mayor Jo Eun-hee) is strengthening its local quarantine response system together with residents as the extended Chinese Lunar New Year holiday period recently ended, and Chinese international students are expected to enter the country.

In particular, the district is expanding disinfection efforts throughout the area to prevent infections in advance.

First, large-scale disinfection activities are being carried out targeting about 330 public facilities used by vulnerable groups such as daycare centers, kindergartens, schools, and senior centers, as well as 110 religious facilities where many people gather on weekends.

Residents have also voluntarily joined these disinfection efforts to pool their strength. On the 5th, about 300 residents came together to form the ‘Seocho Disinfection Team.’

The ‘Seocho Disinfection Team’ was formed to eliminate blind spots in disinfection and consists of mosquito security guards and members of the Saemaul Leaders’ Council who have prior disinfection experience in the district. Residents of various ages and genders, ranging from their 30s to 70s, participated together, and after three rounds of training on specific disinfection methods, they began their activities.

Mr. Jeong, aged 76 and the oldest member of the Seocho Disinfection Team residing in Bangbae-dong, said, “The people who know the neighborhood best are the residents living here. In this anxious national disaster situation, residents must also unite. I am grateful and proud to be able to serve the local community.”

Currently, the ‘Seocho Disinfection Team’ has completed disinfection at a total of 772 locations due to overwhelming requests.

They respond to requests anywhere in the area, including small vulnerable spots such as bus stops?which are heavily used but usually not well disinfected?parks, public restrooms, subway station entrances, and even apartment complexes requiring disinfection. About 30 requests come in daily, and since local residents living in the neighborhood directly disinfect even small places, they continue to receive praise from nearby residents.

Residents have also come together to support the stagnant local commercial districts. To create cleaner and more trustworthy local shopping areas, the Seocho Disinfection Team and merchant associations used disinfection vehicles to conduct large-scale disinfection targeting eight commercial districts in the area (Yangjae Maljukgeori, Gangnam Station, near Sinsa Station, Cafe Alley, Bangbae Station Food Alley, Bangbae Sadang Station, Seocho Station, and Cheonggyesan). They carefully disinfected side streets and every corner of alleys in densely packed commercial areas using human-safe disinfectants.

Along with disinfection activities, a ‘Safety Mobile Team’ will be operated at large-scale events with more than 100 participants to thoroughly carry out COVID-19 prevention measures. Recently, during the elementary, middle, and high school graduation season, safety personnel consisting of about six members were dispatched to schools where crowds gather. They are equipped with ‘thermal cameras, thermometers, hand sanitizers, and masks’ to measure temperatures and provide hand sanitization on-site before allowing entry to the event venues.

District Mayor Jo Eun-hee said, “We are all responding to COVID-19 with one heart. The dignified residents of Seocho-gu are truly a great driving force in creating a ‘Safe Seocho.’”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.