Gangbuk-gu Expands Lightning Charcoal Hope Sales Centers... Asks Purchase Purpose and Provides Suicide Prevention Bags

Life Guardian Hope Sales Centers, Sales Methods Lower Consumer Access to Bungae-tan... Constant Recruitment of New Hope Sales Centers at Local Supermarkets, Hardware Stores, etc.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Gyeom-su) is expanding the operation of Hope Sales Stores for briquettes to prevent extreme choices.

Hope Sales Stores refer to shops where the owner asks about the intended use before selling briquettes. They adopt sales methods that place briquettes in less visible locations or behind the cash register to reduce consumer accessibility.

They also serve as life guardians by connecting to the police station or health center when signs of suicide risk or dangerous individuals are detected.

Briquettes are delivered in eco-friendly bags (100% biodegradable) containing the suicide prevention counseling hotline number (1393). The bag is inscribed with the phrase, "Wait a moment! How about thinking once more about your precious life?" Stores designated as Hope Sales Stores receive support for these eco-friendly bags. A signboard indicating the practice of life love is also hung in the store.

Since 2016, Gangbuk-gu has launched the Hope Sales Store project to reduce extreme choices using briquettes. Various types of stores, such as neighborhood supermarkets and hardware stores, have participated.

Additionally, the district appointed volunteers trained as life guardians as suicide prevention activists. They regularly check the operation status of Hope Sales Stores and take the lead in campaigns to improve awareness of life respect.

New Hope Sales Stores are recruited on an ongoing basis. Local business owners who wish to become Hope Sales Stores can contact the Gangbuk-gu Health Center.

Mayor Park Gyeom-su of Gangbuk-gu said, “Hope Sales Stores primarily play a role in blocking the possibility that briquettes may be used for purposes other than their original intent. We will strive to reduce the suicide rate and deliver a light of hope to residents by activating warm words of comfort and a dense psychological defense network.”

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