Gwanak-gu, Overcoming the COVID Crisis through Voluntary Cooperation and Solidarity

Strengthening Large-Scale On-Site Disinfection with Employees and Residents, Conducting High-Intensity Social Distancing Campaign... 21.2 Billion KRW Supplementary Budget to Overcome COVID-19, Providing Over 2,100 Public Jobs to Combat Employment Crisis

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Gwanak-gu (District Mayor Park Jun-hee) has actively implemented swift preemptive quarantine measures and revitalization plans for the local economy amid six months of the COVID-19 emergency, striving to stabilize residents' lives despite numerous difficulties.

Mayor Park Jun-hee first evaluated, "During this period, although there were several crises such as the Richway exhibition hall and the mass outbreak at Wangseong Church, I believe that through the voluntary cooperation and solidarity of public officials, healthcare workers, related local organizations, and residents, we have overcome major crises and the spread of the virus."

The district identified major measures to prevent community infection spread, including extensive strengthening of quarantine in daily life sites closely related to residents, high-intensity social distancing campaigns, and securing the health and stability of vulnerable groups.

From the end of June, under a special emergency duty system for all staff for two weeks, intensive on-site inspections and quarantine activities were conducted comprehensively at 1,649 high-risk multi-use facilities such as entertainment bars and PC rooms, and 1,785 resident daily life facilities including bus stops and subway stations.

Additionally, around 4,300 people including the district mayor, staff, and residents toured each neighborhood to carry out campaign activities promoting the normalization of social distancing, such as wearing masks and washing hands for more than 30 seconds, adhering to personal quarantine rules.

In particular, Gwanak-gu implemented the nation’s first ‘Gang Gam-chan Quarantine Supplies Delivery Service,’ directly delivering quarantine supplies to 933 private multi-use facilities like PC rooms and singing practice rooms, receiving positive responses.

Alongside this, the district is working to stabilize residents’ lives directly affected by the prolonged COVID-19 economic downturn and employment crisis.

First, in April, an emergency supplementary budget of 21.2 billion KRW was urgently prepared to secure disaster relief funds, and an additional 6.2 billion KRW was allocated to the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Fund, while a total of 18 billion KRW has been additionally raised for the mobile local currency, Gwanak Love Gift Certificates.

Approximately 800 establishments such as PC rooms and singing practice rooms that voluntarily closed due to COVID-19 received about 760 million KRW in closure support funds, and 17 private kindergartens were additionally supported with 68 million KRW for educational expenses.

The district created over 2,100 new jobs, including for COVID-19 affected residents, youth employment support, and public work projects. Notably, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s COVID-19 response hope job program employed 1,430 people, the largest scale in Seoul.

On the 17th, to block the local spread of COVID-19, heads of related organizations such as the police, education office, and religious groups gathered for an emergency meeting to establish an organic cooperation system and ensure rapid response in case of confirmed cases, seeking ways to overcome the crisis collaboratively.

Mayor Park Jun-hee stated, "Above all, I hope that residents exhausted by the prolonged COVID-19 situation regain their strength," adding, "Going forward, the district will not lower its guard and will do its utmost to develop systematic measures to respond perfectly and create a safe Gwanak."

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