Seongdong-gu Hosts '2022 Academic Year Early Admission University Talk Concert'

[Seoul District News] On the 25th, a 180-minute live online briefing will be streamed on Seongdong-gu Office's YouTube channel, providing guidance on the 2022 academic year early admissions and major universities in Seoul... A talk concert featuring two experts, Yoon Yoon-gu, Head of Admissions at Handae High School (current EBS admissions instructor), and Kim Hyung-il, Director of Giant's Shoulder Education Research Institute, discussing various cases... Songpa-gu online job fair briefing on the 31st at 2 PM... Hanmi Pharmaceutical and Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service expected to hire 150 people... Gangdong recruiting companies for job fair participation... Dong

Seongdong-gu to Hold '2022 Academic Year University Early Admission Talk Concert' on the 25th

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) will hold the '2022 Academic Year Early Admission University Entrance Briefing Session' on the 25th.

The briefing session, broadcast live online for 180 minutes via Seongdong-gu Office's YouTube channel, will provide guidance on the 2022 academic year early admission and major university admission processes in Seoul. It also includes sessions with admissions officers from major universities to offer useful information for examinees and parents preparing for early admission application submissions.

The briefing is divided into two parts. In Part 1, Yoon Yoon-gu, Head of Admissions at Handong High School (currently an EBS entrance exam instructor), and Kim Hyung-il, Director of Giant's Shoulder Education Research Institute, are invited to conduct a talk concert in a dialogue format, sharing various cases to make admission strategies easy to understand.

In particular, 18 major universities are grouped into five categories, providing detailed information such as university talent profiles according to each examinee's desired university, along with specialized support strategy guides tailored to Seongdong-gu's school districts.

Additionally, a Q&A session with experts via real-time chat is arranged. Part 2, 'University Admission Briefing with Admissions Officers,' offers explanations and strategic lectures on admission processes of six major universities in the metropolitan area, delivering practical information to help examinees. Anyone can participate through Seongdong-gu Office's YouTube channel without separate registration.

The district provides various admission strategy information according to university entrance systems, operating parent academic academies and biannual university entrance strategy briefings.

Seongdong-gu runs the 'Seongdong Admission Counseling Center' for middle and high school students, repeat examinees, and parents. Last year, 633 parents participated in the 'Baeknyeondae-gye' parent academy, and 1,227 students received one-on-one consulting, showing high satisfaction and enhancing educational competitiveness and admission capabilities.

Mayor Jung Won-oh said, "Through this briefing, we hope students select the admission process suitable for them and enter their desired universities," adding, "We will continue to provide tailored admission strategies and necessary information for examinees and parents amid the increasingly diverse university entrance landscape."

Songpa-gu to Hold Online Job Fair on August 31 at 2 PM... Hanmi Pharmaceutical and Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service Expected to Hire 150 People

Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Sung-soo) will hold the '2021 Second Half Songpa-gu Online Job Fair' at 2 PM on August 31 to alleviate the severe youth employment difficulties caused by COVID-19.

The district has held large-scale job fairs annually to expand hiring opportunities for local talent. Since last year, the event has been conducted online to prevent infectious diseases.

This job fair notably includes participation from local excellent companies 'Hanmi Pharmaceutical' and the 'Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service,' planning to hire about 150 people in the second half of the year.

The job fair will be broadcast live via 'Songpa TV.' HR managers will introduce their companies, hiring schedules, and procedures, answering pre-submitted and real-time questions from applicants.

Anyone preparing for employment can participate. Applications are accepted online until August 26.

For inquiries, contact Songpa-gu's Job Policy Division.

Additionally, the district is developing 'Songpul,' a youth job mentoring platform proposed directly by young people to solve youth employment issues.

In September, Songpa-gu will also provide the nation's first 'Songpa Coming-of-Age Support Fund' to support youth who have lost vitality due to COVID-19.

Mayor Park Sung-soo said, "We hope this job fair becomes a stepping stone for youth dreaming of employment and an opportunity for local companies to discover diverse talents," adding, "We will continue to develop various projects to create a win-win environment for companies and job seekers in line with the changing employment market."

Gangdong-gu Recruiting Companies for Participation in Job Fair

Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jung-hoon) is recruiting companies to participate in the '2021 Gangdong Job Fair' scheduled for October 21.

Companies can participate directly (operating interview booths, inclusion in guidebooks, job matching through the Job Center) or indirectly (inclusion in guidebooks, job matching through the Job Center). Directly participating companies will receive free booths for on-site interviews.

Interested companies should download the application form from Gangdong-gu Office's website and submit it via email (201005016@gd.go.kr) or fax by October 8.

After recruitment, directly participating companies will undergo screening for similar or simple industries, and selection results will be notified individually.

Mayor Lee Jung-hoon said, "We will do our best to prepare so that the job fair in October can revitalize the employment market and local economy, which have been depressed due to COVID-19."

Dongjak-gu Provides Low-Interest Loans from 3.2 Billion KRW Small Business Development Fund

Dongjak-gu (Mayor Lee Chang-woo) is offering low-interest loans totaling 3.2 billion KRW from the 'Small Business Development Fund' to small businesses and self-employed individuals struggling due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

This project supports management stabilization funds to small businesses to promote healthy growth and development and revitalize the local economy. In the first half of this year, loans totaling about 1 billion KRW were provided to 50 companies.

Eligible applicants are small businesses and self-employed individuals operating for more than six months within the district. Manufacturing and construction businesses can borrow up to 100 million KRW per company, while retail and other industries can borrow up to 20 million KRW per company.

The interest rate is 1% per annum, with repayment terms selectable within five years. Loan purposes are limited to facility improvements and management stabilization expenses (rent, public utility fees, labor costs, etc.).

Applications are accepted from August 25 until funds are exhausted. Applicants must visit Dongjak-gu Office's Economic Promotion Division (74 Noryangjin-ro, 9th floor of Yuhan Yanghang) with a loan application, business registration certificate copy, and business plan. Loans are executed after review by the fund management committee and bank guarantee and collateral assessments.

One representative operating multiple business sites can apply for only one main business site. For businesses with two or more co-representatives, only one representative can apply.

Detailed information and required documents are available on Dongjak-gu Office's website (Announcements section) or by contacting the Economic Promotion Division.

Kim Jung-won, head of the Economic Promotion Division, said, "We hope this loan support will help small businesses and self-employed individuals overcome the management crisis caused by COVID-19 and operate stably."

Yongsan-gu to Provide Additional National Support Fund of 100,000 KRW per Low-Income Person, 240,000 KRW in Cash

Yongsan-gu (Mayor Seong Jang-hyun) will provide an additional 'Low-Income National Support Fund' of 100,000 KRW per person in cash on the 24th to about 12,000 low-income households struggling due to COVID-19.

This additional support fund is separate from the 5th Disaster Relief Fund (National Mutual Support Fund) and targets basic livelihood security recipients, legally defined lower-income groups, and single-parent families receiving child-rearing support.

Among them, basic livelihood security recipients for living and housing benefits, lower-income disabled persons (including disabled children) receiving support allowances, and legally defined single-parent families receiving child-rearing support will receive the fund directly into the account of one representative per household without separate application.

The district transferred funds to about 9,600 eligible recipients (household members designated as beneficiaries before July 31) from August 1 to 14 and notified them via text message.

Household members newly designated as beneficiaries in August will receive the fund without separate application. Those requiring account verification, such as basic livelihood medical and educational benefit recipients, lower-income co-payment reduction, self-support, and verification households (not paid by August 24), will apply separately at the local community center or have their accounts verified by staff, with payments scheduled around September 15.

Mayor Seong Jang-hyun said, "Many households have become more financially strained due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic," adding, "I hope the support fund allows families to spend precious moments together."

The 5th Disaster Relief Fund for the general public is scheduled for next month. The district has established a dedicated team for budgeting, application, review, and payment of the COVID-19 Mutual Support Fund. Eligible recipients are household members in the bottom 80% income bracket, receiving 250,000 KRW per person. The estimated number of recipients is 198,000, with a total cost of about 49.6 billion KRW. Payment methods include credit/debit card charging, prepaid cards, and local gift certificates.

Geumcheon-gu Provides Additional 100,000 KRW Cooling Cost Support for Daycare Centers

Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon) will provide an additional 100,000 KRW cooling cost support to daycare centers struggling due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and heatwaves.

The district anticipates a sharp increase in cooling costs as indoor activities increase due to COVID-19 and consecutive heatwaves and decided to provide additional support to prevent economic burdens from degrading childcare environments.

All 141 daycare centers in the district are eligible. Previously, nighttime extended daycare centers received cooling cost support twice (August-September), and other daycare centers once (September). This year, an additional 100,000 KRW will be provided temporarily.

Previously, the district distributed masks, hand sanitizers, and contactless thermometers to all daycare centers as COVID-19 relief measures and provided 1 million KRW support to 133 daycare centers for stable childcare environments, including staff employment retention and teaching materials purchase. Operational expenses were also supported for daycare centers with foreign children affected by decreased enrollment.

Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon said, "We expect this additional cooling cost support to ease the financial burden on daycare centers in the region," adding, "We will continue efforts to provide children with a comfortable and high-quality childcare environment."

Gangbuk-gu Expands Large Waste Disposal Items to 227

Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Kyum-soo) has significantly expanded the types of large household waste disposal items for the first time in seven years since 2014.

With the revised waste ordinance implemented earlier this month, the number of reportable detailed items increased from 77 to 227. The previous four major categories?furniture, home appliances, daily necessities, and others?were changed to 11 categories. Seven new categories frequently used at home, such as electrical appliances, heating and cooling devices, musical instruments, pets, sports, infants, and kitchen utensils, were added.

Reflecting changing times and related laws, items such as solar waste panels, fire extinguishers, and PET bottles were added to the 'others' category. The specifications for large waste items were subdivided from 129 to 316. Previously, unclear fee standards caused price disputes, prompting calls for improvement.

Disposal fees have also changed. Notably, sofas for four or more people increased from 10,000 KRW to 13,000 KRW. One-person stone beds cost 20,000 KRW, and two-person beds 30,000 KRW. Seven more items are exempt from fees. Refrigerators, TVs, washing machines, and large fans, previously subject to fees, are now exempt. Mobile phones and video game consoles are newly included. Appliances under 1 meter in height can still be placed outside like recyclables.

Large household waste reports can be made at local community centers or via the district office website (Home → Integrated Civil Service → Large Waste Application). For other inquiries, check the website or contact the district's Cleaning Administration Division.

Mayor Park Kyum-soo said, "We expect increased convenience and reduced inconvenience for residents with the expanded large waste disposal items," adding, "We will strengthen administrative support to prevent confusion due to item and fee changes."

Seongbuk-gu Wins Excellence Award at '2021 Excellent Administration and Policy Case Competition'

Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) won the Excellence Award at the '2021 Excellent Administration and Policy Case Presentation Competition' with the theme 'Seongbuk Village Archive: A Repository of Residents' Lives and Urban Records.'

The Korea Public Policy Evaluation Association and the Korean Governance Society have been selecting and presenting excellent administrative and policy cases from central government ministries, local governments, and public institutions annually since 2013 to strengthen competitiveness in the public sector through information sharing and exchange among academia and practitioners.

'Seongbuk Village Archive' is a website that collects records related to Seongbuk's history, cultural resources, and residents' lives, storing them in a digital archive system to allow anyone easy access to village records. It is an interactive communication knowledge platform enabling residents to actively participate in discovering village records and producing historical and cultural content.

In January 2020, the district became the first autonomous district nationwide to establish a digital archive, currently storing and providing about 7,000 digital village records via the website.

The digital village records include photos, videos, publications, oral histories, and more. The archive features sections on independence movements and literary content in Seongbuk and operates programs tailored to local characteristics.

Additionally, in December 2020, Seongbuk-gu enacted the first Seoul ordinance on collecting and managing private records, institutionalizing previously unregulated private record collection by defining private records, collection methods, and procedures, thereby establishing a legal foundation for managing private records.

Seongbuk Village Archive was highly evaluated for realizing record democracy and governance by enabling residents to actively participate in collecting village records through resident record groups, capturing stories not identified by administrative domains, and recording their own history.

Mayor Lee Seung-ro said, "We will continue to seek Seongbuk's unique identity, collect and preserve residents' activities and daily life traces that might disappear over time as valuable records, and play a leading role in developing record culture in the era of local autonomy to foster residents' pride."

Authors Kang Won-guk, Eun-yu, Yang Chang-mo to Give Online Special Lectures on Recently Published Popular Books

Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) announced that the Seodaemun 50 Plus Center will hold 'Sai Special Lectures' with authors of popular new books under the theme 'Thinking About New Care.'

The name 'Sai Special Lectures' means 'connecting books and people.' Authors Kang Won-guk, Eun-yu, and Yang Chang-mo will give online lectures consecutively at 2 PM on September 23, October 28, and November 18.

Kang Won-guk, author of 'The President's Writing,' will communicate with the 50-plus generation facing life transitions on the theme 'Comfort in Speaking and Writing After Fifty' through his recently published book 'Kang Won-guk Speaks Like an Adult.'

Eun-yu, author of 'Children Who Are There but Not There,' will address social care issues for undocumented migrant children in a lecture titled 'When We Love the Children of Distant Neighbors.'

Yang Chang-mo, a visiting doctor at Chuncheon Hoho Home Visit Medical Center and author of 'In a World Where Pain Welcomes,' will discuss alternative medicine in a lecture titled 'What I Learned While Visiting You in Pain.'

The lectures will be broadcast live on the Seodaemun 50 Plus Center YouTube channel. Up to 150 people can apply for each lecture on a first-come, first-served basis through the center's website (Programs → Course Registration) and attend for free.

Applicants will receive an online access link via text message before the lecture starts.

Opened in spring 2018 on the 2nd floor of Seodaemun Shared Campus (484 Tongil-ro), the Seodaemun 50 Plus Center offers various education and support programs for the 50-60 generation's mindset change, life planning, and job seeking.

Currently, due to social distancing, education and counseling are conducted online and by phone.

Gwangjin-gu Provides Transportation Convenience for Disabled Residents During Vaccination

Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Sun-gap) offers transportation convenience services for disabled residents during COVID-19 vaccination.

With the COVID-19 vaccination schedule for disabled persons starting on August 17, the service ensures that disabled residents with mobility difficulties can receive vaccinations comfortably.

Residents already using disability activity support services can receive accompaniment services. Professional activity supporters from Gwangjin-gu's service providers will accompany them during vaccination.

Disabled persons with mobility difficulties not using activity support services but meeting the criteria of 130% or less of median income (6,339,177 KRW for a family of four) can use the 'Gwangjin-type Plus Care SOS Project.' This includes vaccination accompaniment and post-vaccination adverse reaction monitoring. Applications must be submitted to the local community center three days before vaccination according to prior guidance.

Severely disabled persons with walking impairments can use the disabled call taxi service. Applications can be made via Seoul Facilities Corporation's phone or website. New users must register information by phone first. The fare is 1,500 KRW for trips within 5 km.

There are 886 disabled vaccination candidates in Gwangjin-gu, with phone reservations available until September 9. Vaccinations will be conducted at COVID-19 vaccination centers from August 17 to September 30.

Mayor Kim Sun-gap said, "We have prepared transportation convenience services so that disabled residents can receive COVID-19 vaccinations comfortably," adding, "We hope everyone actively participates in vaccination according to the schedule until herd immunity is formed and daily life is restored."

Gangseo-gu Operates Online 'Gangseo Parent Academy'

Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Noh Hyun-song) has stepped up as a problem solver for parents concerned about raising their children well.

The district announced it will operate the 'Home ON Gangseo Parent Academy' online. This academy was established to address parents' difficulties in educating their children as they spend more time at home due to COVID-19.

Lectures will be held every Thursday at 10 AM from September 30 to November 4 for six weeks via Naver Band in real-time.

Lecture topics include ▲Diagnosing and interpreting personality types (Egogram) for myself and my child (September 30) ▲Customized family communication methods by personality type (October 7) ▲Using MBTI to understand my child's temperament and strengths (October 14) ▲Learning methods and career exploration by temperament (October 21) ▲Preventing smartphone addiction (October 28) ▲Latest cyberbullying and digital sex crime countermeasures (November 4).

The lectures use personality assessment tools like Egogram and MBTI to understand children's personalities, aptitudes, and potentials, and explore communication, learning methods, and careers accordingly.

They also provide concrete solutions to common parental concerns such as 'Why can't my child and I communicate?', 'How to motivate my child through conversation?', and 'What jobs suit my child's tendencies?'

In the digital age where internet and smartphone use is routine, the academy offers insights into raising children wisely, including preventing smartphone addiction and protecting children from cyberbullying and digital sex crimes.

Parents with children aged 7 to elementary school can apply from the 25th on the Gangseo Lifelong Learning Center website. Enrollment is limited to the first 300 applicants, and the tuition fee is 10,000 KRW.

Gwanak-gu Holds '2021 Cooperative Governance UCC & Logo Song' Contest

Gwanak-gu is hosting the '2021 Cooperative Governance UCC & Logo Song Contest' to encourage active participation and interest from residents in cooperative governance.

Held for the second time following last year, this contest has significantly increased prize money to discover creative and innovative ideas from residents and promote cooperative governance culture.

The contest themes include ▲What is cooperative governance? ▲Stories of our neighborhood solved together ▲Neighborhood issues requiring cooperative governance. Individuals or groups residing in Gwanak-gu can participate.

UCC (video) entries must be within 3 minutes and can be in any format such as advertisements, animations, documentaries, music videos, or parodies. Logo songs must be within 1 minute.

Applicants should check contest details on Gwanak-gu's website (News & Notices → Announcements) and submit the application form and personal information consent form via email (obist8199@ga.go.kr) by September 15.

An external expert panel will evaluate entries based on topic relevance (40%), originality and creativity (20%), completeness (20%), and usability (20%). Winners will be announced on October 1.

There will be 2 grand prize winners, 4 excellence awards, and 6 encouragement awards, totaling 12 winners who will receive about 8 million KRW in prize money and certificates from the district mayor. Selected works will be used for cooperative governance promotional materials on the district office website, online Gwanak, and social media.

Yangcheon-gu Provides 800,000 KRW National Disaster Support Fund per Village Bus Driver

Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Kim Soo-young) will provide disaster support funds to village bus drivers affiliated with village bus companies in Yangcheon-gu whose income has decreased due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and reduced passengers.

This support fund is fully funded by the national government under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's 'Temporary Support Project for City and Village Bus Non-Public and Intercity/Express Bus Drivers.'

Eligible recipients are drivers employed by village bus companies in Yangcheon-gu whose income has decreased due to COVID-19. The support amount is 800,000 KRW per person.

Eligibility requires continuous employment for at least two months as of the announcement date (August 13, 2021), with employment starting on or before June 13, 2021, according to the Driver Management System.

Applications are accepted from August 23 to September 3. Drivers or business owners must submit proof of employment and income reduction to Yangcheon-gu Transportation Administration Division by visit or email.

The disaster support fund will be paid individually to drivers' accounts. The district will review eligibility based on sales decline and employment duration and plans to disburse funds in September.

Yangcheon-gu previously provided 10 million KRW per village bus company in April to stabilize operations and 500,000 KRW per driver in May as first-round damage support.

Mayor Kim Soo-young said, "We hope this disaster support fund helps village bus drivers whose income has been affected by the COVID-19 resurgence."

Nowon-gu Green Remodeling of Public Childcare Centers

Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is improving childcare environments at public childcare centers through green remodeling of public buildings.

Green remodeling involves upgrading aging buildings with high-performance insulation, windows, and high-efficiency ventilation systems to enhance energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and improve indoor air quality by reducing fine dust.

The district is investing about 2.6 billion KRW to carry out green remodeling at four childcare centers (Wolgye 3-dong, Hagye, Junggye, and Nowon Childcare Centers).

The first completed project is at Wolgye 3-dong Childcare Center, a 490㎡ facility with six childcare rooms in a building over 20 years old. Despite ongoing indoor environment improvements, it was vulnerable to summer heat and winter cold.

Asbestos-containing ceiling materials and lightweight steel ceiling frames, along with existing flooring and finishing materials, were removed and replaced with high-insulation materials. Windows were replaced with double-glazed glass to reduce heat loss. Doors, handrails, emergency exit railings, and standalone smoke detectors were also upgraded to create a safer environment for children.

Following Wolgye 3-dong, remodeling at Junggye and Nowon Childcare Centers will be completed within the year, and Hagye Childcare Center by February next year. The district expects the green remodeling project to expand to other public childcare centers based on these results.

Nowon-gu has also actively pursued low-carbon and eco-friendly projects, including establishing Korea's first eco-friendly energy self-sufficient complex, the Nowon Energy Zero Housing, installing the nation's first carbon-zero house, the Nowon Eco Center, and building a cypress senior center maximizing housing energy performance as a Seoul zero-energy building pilot project last year.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, "Green remodeling of childcare centers not only provides a comfortable environment for children but also improves energy efficiency to respond to climate change," adding, "We will continue efforts to create a trusted childcare administrative environment that meets parents' expectations for public childcare centers."

Gangbuk-gu Holds 'Conversation with Author' with Director Choi Min-jun

Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Kyum-soo) will hold a non-face-to-face 'Conversation with Author' event with Director Choi Min-jun.

The event will be broadcast live on September 8 from 3 PM for 100 minutes on the YouTube channel 'Gangbuk-gu, City of Historical and Cultural Tourism.' Director Choi Min-jun and broadcaster An Su-ji, who will moderate, will discuss communication methods with sons. Director Choi is the head of the 'Jarada Boys Art Research Institute' and an art education expert for boys, authoring several books including 'My Son Changed Through Art.'

In this conversation, Director Choi will explain developmental differences between boys and girls, characteristics, and psychology of sons in detail. He will humorously share communication techniques with husbands and sons during parenting, offering empathy and comfort to mothers raising children.

The event is conducted as a dialogue between the author and moderator on selected topics. There will also be time for participants' stories and questions to be discussed or answered by the cast. Anyone can join the broadcast without special procedures. However, those wishing to consult the author or have questions must apply by the 27th via the district website (Citizen Participation → District Administration Participation → Integrated Reservation Application). Applications are limited to 50 people on a first-come, first-served basis. Selected stories and questions will be anonymously introduced during the live broadcast.

The recorded conversation will be available for one month after the broadcast on Gangbuk-gu's social media channels (YouTube, Facebook). For inquiries, contact the district's Education Support Division.

Mayor Park Kyum-soo said, "We hope this conversation with the author will be beneficial for parents raising children," adding, "We look forward to many participants who want to learn communication methods suited to children's perspectives."

Guro-gu Recruiting Students for Second Half Lifelong Education Programs

Guro-gu (Mayor Lee Sung) is recruiting students for lifelong education programs in the second half of the year.

The district announced on the 23rd, "To expand lifelong learning opportunities and improve residents' quality of life, we operate various lifelong learning programs," adding, "All lectures will be conducted online to prevent COVID-19, continuing from the first half."

Education will be conducted online via video conferencing platforms from September 17 to December 6. Participants can attend classes from any location using PCs or smartphones, with real-time Q&A available.

The programs consist of 19 courses in four fields: citizen participation, value growth, club sharing, and Guro Life School.

The citizen participation field offers professional conflict resolution methods through the Korean NVC (Nonviolent Communication) Center, including 'Speaking Honestly Without Hurting,' 'Graceful Adult Manners,' and 'Empathy for Warm Relationships.'

The value growth field, in collaboration with the Seoul Media Center, provides media literacy courses such as 'Enjoying Fun Video Editing at Home' and 'One-Person Video Creator Starting with a Smartphone.'

The club sharing field introduces various club activities through lifelong learning club members in the district, including 'Heart-touching Poetry Recitation' and 'Kind Sock Yarn Craft.'

The Guro Life School field offers humanities courses with excellent resources from Sungkonghoe University, such as 'Greek and Roman Art,' 'World Cultural Travel through Architecture,' and 'Music and Life.'

Eligible participants are Guro-gu residents or workers in the district. Interested individuals can apply through the Guro Lifelong Learning Center website or visit the district's Education Support Division or Lifelong Learning Center. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis, and tuition is free (materials cost separate).

Yeongdeungpo-gu Promotes LED Signboard Improvement Project on Singil-ro and Yeongjung-ro

Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Chae Hyun-il) is promoting an LED signboard improvement project on Singil-ro and Yeongjung-ro, aiming to revitalize the streetscape.

The project replaces old and unsightly signboards with energy-saving LED signboards designed to reflect local and business characteristics, contributing to urban aesthetics and local commercial revitalization.

Since starting on Yeouinaru-ro in 2009 and extending to Yeongdeungpo-ro last year, the district has implemented signboard improvement projects in 12 sections. This has created a safe and pleasant pedestrian environment satisfying residents, building owners, and store owners, earning positive evaluations.

This year, with an investment of about 570 million KRW, the project area has expanded to two sections. Increasing participating businesses aims to remove or install more signboards, enhancing project effects and accelerating pedestrian-friendly street creation.

The project targets Singil-ro (1 km in both directions from Wushin Elementary School Intersection to Sareo Market Intersection) and Yeongjung-ro (1.1 km in both directions from Yeongdeungpo Market Intersection to Sinhwa Nursing Hospital Intersection).

Among 293 businesses in these areas, about 230 will receive support for LED wall-mounted signboards, and approximately 440 illegal or protruding signboards will be removed. Participating businesses can receive support for one signboard per business, up to 2.5 million KRW.

Before full implementation, pilot maintenance zones were designated in April, and a Signboard Improvement Residents Committee composed of building owners, store owners, and business associations has operated since May. The committee decides on signboard design and contractor selection methods through resolutions, encouraging voluntary participation and leading the entire project process.

The district plans to complete signboard maintenance in the project areas by November, incorporating various resident opinions and reflecting street and store characteristics in advertising designs.

Mayor Chae Hyun-il said, "We hope this project enhances the image of Singil-ro and Yeongjung-ro and contributes to local commercial revitalization," adding, "We will continue efforts to improve pedestrian environments and make Yeongdeungpo a safe and walkable district."

Gwangjin-gu Supports Communication Costs for '080 Easy Phone Service' for Businesses Required to Keep Entry Logs

Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Sun-gap) is supporting communication costs for the '080 Easy Phone Check-in Service' for businesses required to keep entry logs in the district.

The 080 Easy Phone Check-in Service allows visitors to use their mobile phones to call a number assigned to each business, automatically recording their phone number and entry time.

Since 080 numbers are toll-free for the receiver and incur call charges borne by the business, Gwangjin-gu supports these costs to accurately track confirmed COVID-19 cases' movements.

Eligible businesses include restaurants, cafes, wedding halls, sports facilities, academies, and karaoke rooms required to keep entry logs. KT assigns 080 numbers to manage entry records.

Collected personal information is used only for epidemiological investigations and is automatically deleted four weeks after the visit.

Businesses wishing to use the 080 Easy Phone Check-in Service can apply via the banner on Gwangjin-gu's website by entering basic information to receive a number. Posters with the assigned 080 number for use can be printed immediately.

Mayor Kim Sun-gap said, "The 080 Easy Phone Check-in Service enables simple entry logging with one call, allowing quick confirmation when overlapping with confirmed cases, which is important for self-protection," adding, "We will actively support all businesses in the district to use QR code electronic entry logs and the 080 Easy Phone Check-in Service, avoiding handwritten logs prone to false or missing entries."

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