Seocho-gu Wins Presidential Award for Disaster Management Evaluation Two Years in a Row

Received Excellent Evaluation for Expanding Disaster Management Administration and Finance, Vulnerable Group Safety Management, Leadership of Agency Heads, and Safety Pledge Implementation; Selected as the Nation's Best Institution for Two Consecutive Years in the 2020 Disaster Management Evaluation Hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety Following 2019

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seocho-gu (Mayor Eunhee Jo) has been selected as the best institution nationwide in the ‘2020 Disaster Management Evaluation’ hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, receiving the Presidential Award.

This marks the second consecutive year of receiving the Presidential Award following last year, and with this award, Seocho-gu will also receive a special grant of 400 million KRW and a prize money of 13.75 million KRW.

The ‘2020 Disaster Management Evaluation’ comprehensively assessed the disaster management performance of 325 responsible institutions, including 28 central government ministries, 243 local governments, and 54 public institutions, based on their efforts in the previous year.

Among all autonomous districts nationwide, Seocho-gu is the only district to have received the Presidential Citation for disaster management two years in a row.

The district received excellent evaluations across all five categories?common, prevention, response, preparedness, and recovery?with 34 indicators, achieving a near-perfect score.

In particular, Seocho-gu earned high marks for the capabilities of the institution’s head as the overall disaster management leader, including administrative and financial leadership and the implementation of disaster safety pledges. It also scored highly in earthquake countermeasures, safety management for vulnerable groups, and infection prevention and response.

Among various projects undertaken by the district, the smart city integrated platform advancement, the establishment of an artificial intelligence (AI) CCTV system, and the installation of the nation’s first ‘runway-type crosswalk’ received favorable evaluations for securing children’s traffic safety.

Additionally, the district monitors daily safety through open communication with residents via platforms such as Safety Talk, Apartment Talk, and School Talk, while strengthening management of vulnerable groups including children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.

Alongside this, Seocho-gu enhanced disaster relief capabilities by activating autonomous disaster prevention groups and volunteers, and improved on-site action manuals for various types of disaster management.

The district has implemented lifestyle-oriented projects unique to Seocho, such as Seoripul Wondumak and Seoripul Igloo, to protect residents from disasters like heatwaves and cold waves. It has also thoroughly prepared for flood and wind damage by constructing large-scale disaster prevention infrastructure over several years, including new sewer culverts and rainwater storage tanks.

Mayor Eunhee Jo of Seocho-gu stated, “We were able to receive this excellent evaluation thanks to the interest and participation of residents who pointed out even small hazards in every corner.” She added, “We will continue to strengthen disaster response systems against COVID-19 and other emerging infectious diseases to make Seocho a safer city.”

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