Seungro Lee, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, and His Purposeful Apron Administration

Attending Kimchi Making and Samgyetang Sharing Events: Chopping Green Onions and Onions... Supporting Residents Sharing Kimchi and Samgyetang for Isolated Neighbors Staying Home Due to COVID-19

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seung-ro Lee, mayor of Seongbuk-gu, is bringing vitality to residents fatigued by COVID-19 through his "apron administration."

Since the domestic spread of COVID-19, Seongbuk-gu has seen a community-wide effort to support food for low-income and marginalized groups participating in social distancing. Considering that vulnerable individuals such as elderly living alone find it difficult to go out to purchase ingredients due to the risk of COVID-19 infection, neighbors have rolled up their sleeves to prepare and share side dishes.

Throughout the 20 neighborhoods of Seongbuk-gu, resident-led sharing of kimchi and samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) continues almost daily. Mayor Lee, despite his busy schedule, dons an apron and appears on-site, bringing great energy to the residents.

Mayor Lee stated, “Rather than isolating low-income marginalized groups at high risk of COVID-19 infection, many local governments are benchmarking Seongbuk-gu’s community care approach, which involves reaching out to these individuals in their communities and embracing them. I participate by carving out time from my busy schedule because it is meaningful to support residents who find and fulfill their roles as protagonists in COVID-19 response alongside the administration, and to check on the well-being of isolated neighbors.”

On the 14th, he joined the radish kimchi (yeolmu kimchi) making site in Jangwi 3-dong. Mayor Lee appeared wearing an apron again and made kimchi with residents including Kim Seon-ju of Jangwi 3-dong. Drawing on his experience from last month when he made and shared 200 containers of yeolmu kimchi with officials from Seongbuk Jeil Saemaeul Geumgo, residents praised Mayor Lee’s skillful hands as he trimmed the radish.

However, due to his nearly 180cm tall stature, his somewhat awkward posture as he squatted to slice radish or peel onion skins, occasionally gazing into the distance with teary eyes, brought hearty laughter to the residents.

One Jangwi 3-dong resident, Mr. Lee (65), who participated in the kimchi making event, said, “Low-income seniors who usually relied on welfare centers for meals have had difficulty securing food since the centers closed due to COVID-19. We rolled up our sleeves to provide basic side dishes like kimchi and also to check on their well-being, which is a good cause but indeed hard work. When the mayor wore an apron, made kimchi with us, chatted, and expressed gratitude for our efforts, it felt like the fatigue melted away.”

The 200kg of yeolmu kimchi made by Jangwi 3-dong residents was delivered to 40 low-income vulnerable households.

Mayor Seung-ro Lee, wearing an apron, can also be found at samgyetang sharing sites.

Following the event in Samseon-dong on the 13th, on the 16th at Jeongneung 3-dong’s samgyetang sharing site, Mayor Lee helped residents package and distribute samgyetang. They prepared 100 bowls in Samseon-dong and 300 bowls in Jeongneung 3-dong, delivering them to vulnerable groups including elderly living alone. His skillful hands in making broth and adding garnishes earned him the nickname “Seongbuk-gu Janggeum” from residents.

Kim ** (57), a resident of Samseon-dong who participated in the sharing, said, “I have shared kimchi and samgyetang several times through volunteer groups, and each time the Seongbuk-gu mayor came. I thought he might come once or twice, but he attends every time, helping from ingredient preparation to sharing and even cleaning up afterward. Seeing this, I understand why Seongbuk-gu is one of the areas with a low number of COVID-19 confirmed cases.”

Seongbuk-gu plans to continue a trinity of administration, private sector, and residents to carry out daily and meticulous responses in the ongoing COVID-19 situation. To this end, a permanent cooperation system among these parties is being established. To encourage and support resident and private activities, Mayor Seung-ro Lee plans to continue his "apron administration."

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