Yoo Dong-gyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu, Conducts Special Quarantine Inspection at Hongdae Entrance on the Evening of the 14th

[Seoul District News] Photo Exhibition Featuring Residents' Faces and Local Scenery on Gangbuk Culture & Arts Center Wall · Installation of Modular Chair Sculptures on Ui Stream Trail... Seongdong-gu Hosts 'Dementia Safety Village Festival' Event

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Mapo-gu (Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) will launch a large-scale special quarantine inspection of the Hongdae club district from the 14th to the 17th for four days.

This is to fundamentally block the possibility of a resurgence of COVID-19 around the upcoming Chuseok holiday, amid increasing reports of many foreigners, so-called 'No-mask foreigners,' drinking with masks hanging on their chins on streets or in parks after the 10 p.m. business restriction time.

During this period, from 9:30 p.m. every night, a special joint quarantine inspection team of about 260 people led by Yoo Dong-gyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu, will conduct a 'special quarantine joint inspection' of the club-dense area around Hongik Culture Park and a 'Chuseok Holiday Special Quarantine Campaign' for the public.

The activities will begin with a campaign for social distancing compliance in front of AK&Hongdae (Aekyung Tower) near Hongdae Entrance Station, a place with heavy foot traffic, then proceed on foot through the club-dense Hongik Culture Park area to near KT&G Sangsangmadang, focusing on inspecting violations of quarantine rules in the area.

The inspection team is a joint group of public, private, and police personnel, including 40 Mapo-gu employees, police, Hongdae Walkable Street Merchants Association, Hongdae Small Business Association, and Mapo Autonomous Crime Prevention Citizen Patrol. The main inspection points are compliance with social distancing level 4 in the metropolitan area, including ▲ban on private gatherings of six or more people ▲mask-wearing compliance, and other facility-specific quarantine rules.

On July 1, when the COVID-19 spread from Hongdae pubs was severe, Mapo-gu issued an emergency standby order for all employees and conducted special quarantine inspections targeting about 1,200 cafes, restaurants, and other businesses in the Hongdae area.

Yoo Dong-gyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, "To prevent the resurgence of COVID-19 in the Hongdae area, Mapo-gu officials, police, Hongdae merchants' association, and Mapo Autonomous Crime Prevention Citizen Patrol are working together to actively respond. Since this Chuseok holiday could be a turning point for the nationwide resurgence of COVID-19, we earnestly ask all citizens to strictly follow quarantine rules."

Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Kyum-soo) has transformed public spaces into artistic spaces reflecting local characteristics and scenery.

The newly created spaces include the Gangbuk Culture and Arts Center and the area around the Uicheon Stream walking trail. These convenient spaces were selected so that anyone can easily appreciate artworks in daily life. The artworks will be displayed for at least three years. This exhibition is part of a public art project carried out from March to July.

The public art project was led by local residents and artists. At the Culture and Arts Center, an installation titled ‘Play of Reception: Contact’ was set up. It depicts the connection with neighbors through photographs in a contactless era, visualized on the interior walls of the building.

‘Play of Reception: Contact’ involved 417 residents from various social groups. Their photos were combined into three works, mixing ordinary people living with COVID-19 and local scenery. ‘Looking at and Reflecting Each Other,’ with scenery centered on faces, and its opposite composition ‘Connecting Each Other’ filled three wall spaces. The artists used acrylic materials applying the principle of a semi-transparent mirror. The semi-transparent mirrors reflected between photos, creating an effect where faces and local scenery overlapped and blended.

The sculptures placed along the Uicheon Stream walking trail were designed so residents can combine exercise and rest. Twelve modular chairs suitable for adults and children were installed where exercise equipment previously existed. The chairs were made in various semicircular shapes with gentle curves. Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), suitable for expressing unique shapes and textures, was used.

Park Kyum-soo, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, “The artworks embody the hope to quickly return to pre-COVID-19 daily life. I hope people can find warm comfort and moments of rest while viewing the artworks, even if briefly.”

Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol) has finalized the supplementary budget proposal, which increased the general and special accounts by 46 billion KRW, after review and approval by the district council.

This supplementary budget focuses on revitalizing the local economy weakened by COVID-19, supporting vulnerable groups, resolving citizen inconveniences, and promoting ongoing projects.

On August 24, the district submitted to the council a supplementary budget totaling 924.42 billion KRW, increasing the existing budget of 878.46 billion KRW by 45.96 billion KRW, including 40.96 billion KRW for the general account and 5 billion KRW for the special account, along with a fund operation change plan increased by 13 billion KRW to 66.56 billion KRW.

With the supplementary budget confirmed, it is expected to expand projects supporting the local economy and vulnerable groups amid the prolonged COVID-19 response and accelerate resolving citizen inconveniences and ongoing projects.

To recover the weakened local economy, the district allocated a total of 14.6 billion KRW, including ▲8.2 billion KRW for COVID-19 national coexistence support funds ▲5 billion KRW from the Small and Medium Business Development Fund for small business support ▲1.024 billion KRW for hope job projects ▲200 million KRW for additional issuance discount subsidies of Dongdaemun-gu love gift certificates worth 10 billion KRW ▲90 million KRW for improving working environments of clothing manufacturers.

For vulnerable groups in blind spots such as low-income households, a total of 15.2 billion KRW was allocated, including ▲9.6 billion KRW for living support expenses ▲952 million KRW for emergency welfare support ▲1.495 billion KRW for housing and livelihood benefits for basic livelihood recipients ▲67 million KRW for providing convenience facilities for the disabled.

Additionally, to resolve citizen inconveniences and promote local infrastructure and environmental maintenance projects, a total of 6 billion KRW will be invested, including ▲1 billion KRW for LED security light installation ▲1.051 billion KRW for road and sidewalk facility maintenance ▲2.02 billion KRW for river facility maintenance such as Jungnangcheon ▲264 million KRW for installing heated seats at bus stops.

Furthermore, to ensure stable financial management of Dongdaemun-gu, 3 billion KRW was allocated as a transfer to the Integrated Financial Stabilization Fund, and 5 billion KRW was allocated as a transfer to the special account for parking lot to alleviate local parking difficulties.

Yoo Deok-yeol, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, said, “This supplementary budget was prepared prioritizing citizens and small business owners struggling due to the prolonged COVID-19. We will strive to recover the local economy and support vulnerable groups through prompt budget execution and ensure no inconvenience in citizens’ daily lives.”

Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) held a 2050 Carbon Neutral Clean Gwanak Vision Declaration and Pledge Event on the 13th, realized jointly by public and private sectors.

This event was organized to declare the district’s vision of “Sustainable Clean Gwanak where People and Nature Coexist” and to strengthen the will to practice carbon neutrality together by public and private sectors, marking 2021 as the first year of decarbonization to overcome global climate crises such as heatwaves, heavy rains, wildfires, and cold waves.

Carbon neutrality means increasing carbon dioxide absorption to offset the amount emitted by companies or individuals, making the net carbon dioxide emissions effectively zero.

The online declaration ceremony was attended by 100 residents including environmental groups, housewives, and students. They read aloud the ten pledges for greenhouse gas reduction, promised low-carbon practical actions starting today to achieve the 2050 carbon neutrality goal, and attended a special lecture by an environmental expert on practical actions for carbon-neutral living.

The district has prepared a 2050 carbon neutrality strategy with six major strategies and 30 projects to reduce carbon emission sources, including ▲conversion to low-carbon zero-energy buildings ▲expansion of eco-friendly vehicle distribution and electric vehicle charging infrastructure ▲acceleration of renewable energy distribution such as solar power ▲planting one million trees by residents for Clean Gwanak Plus Plus ▲activation of eco-friendly urban agriculture centered on Gang Gam-chan Urban Agriculture Park.

Also, the district plans to establish detailed implementation plans through a research project on the “Gwanak-gu Climate Change Response Plan” to realize the district vision.

Meanwhile, the banners used at the event will be recycled into shopping bags and made available for users at the Gang Gam-chan Urban Agriculture Center, in line with the event’s purpose.

2019 Dementia Overcoming Day Event

Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh)’s Dementia Safety Center will hold a ‘Dementia Safety Village Festival’ on the 14th at the Village Vitality Center near the Seongsu 1-ga 2-dong Public Complex Building to mark Dementia Overcoming Day.

Dementia Overcoming Day, designated annually on September 21, is a legal commemorative day to raise awareness of dementia management and form a nationwide consensus for overcoming dementia. The district prepared a non-face-to-face event to improve awareness and overcome dementia.

From the 14th to the 21st of this month, designated as Dementia Overcoming Week, various projects will be promoted. On the event day, experience booths including an unmanned photo zone, unmanned dementia and depression screening applications, and dementia safety village promotion will be set up to raise interest in dementia patients who may be further isolated due to the prolonged COVID-19 and actively promote dementia prevention and awareness among local residents.

In addition, the district plans to display various works by elderly users and lead dementia awareness promotion with participation from operating cooperation institutions of Seongdong-gu Dementia Safety Villages in Seongsu 1-ga 2-dong and Geumho 2,3-ga dong, including the Seongsu 1-ga 2-dong Senior Welfare Center, Seoul Social Service Center Seongdong Comprehensive Home Care Center, and Seongdong-gu Community Security Council Health and Medical Division.

Since 2018, the district designated Geumho 2-3 ga dong as the first Dementia Safety Village and Seongsu 1-ga 2-dong as the second last year. After signing agreements with related institutions such as the district community center and senior welfare center directors, regular operation committee meetings are held to find ways for dementia patients and their families to live safely and independently in daily life.

Especially, 15 stores including banks and pharmacies have been designated as dementia safety affiliated stores, and in April, the district signed an MOU for ‘Dementia Safety Taxi’ with five local taxi companies (Sinchon Taxi, Goryeo Transport, Daehan Sangun, Seungjin Transportation, Joyang Heungjin) to build a safe network for dementia elderly and enable emergency contact when dementia elderly are found.

Taxi drivers have been educated on how to identify dementia elderly and specific response measures. The district plans to expand safety villages by zones and create a dementia-friendly city safe from dementia.

For inquiries about the 2021 Dementia Overcoming Day commemorative ‘Non-face-to-face Dementia Safety Village Festival,’ contact the Seongdong-gu Dementia Safety Center.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “Protecting socially vulnerable people requires the whole village’s effort. We will continue to strive to overcome dementia, which can be prevented through protection, management, and early screening.”

Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jung-hoon) held a delivery ceremony on the 10th for the child abuse prevention reporting box ‘Yellow Talk’ to be installed in elementary schools in the district.

The event was attended by Hansan Elementary School (Principal Shim Geum-soon), Gangil Elementary School (Principal Yoo Yoon-sang), Myeongil Elementary School (Principal Lee Do-gap), the child abuse prevention resident support group, and the reporting box manufacturer IncomQ.

The child abuse prevention reporting box ‘Yellow Talk’ is a compound word of ‘Yellow,’ symbolizing safety, and ‘Talk,’ meaning to communicate. The box will be installed at the front or back gates of elementary schools, allowing anyone to easily report suspected child abuse.

Its purpose is to proactively respond before child abuse occurs and serve as a communication channel linking necessary services and resources to children and families.

Considering that young children are hard to detect unless reported by those around them, a demand survey for installation was conducted targeting elementary schools with good resident accessibility, and 10 schools expressed willingness to participate. After prior consultation, on-site opinions were collected regarding installation locations and box design, and the box was completed with design talent donation from IncomQ (CEO Jung Sang-gil).

Once ‘Yellow Talk’ is installed, the child abuse prevention resident support group will check received reports at least twice a month and forward them to the Gangdong-gu Child Protection Team. Depending on the content, cases will be classified as counseling or suspected abuse. Counseling cases will be linked to local resources, and suspected abuse cases will undergo investigation and child protection measures. This is expected to contribute to discovering and supporting at-risk households and resolving blind spots.

Lee Jung-hoon, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, said, “Preventing child abuse through close observation within the community is very important. I thank everyone who joined with the hope for children’s healthy growth. We will build cooperative relationships among related organizations and do our best for joint response to child abuse, ensuring early detection through the Yellow Talk reporting box leads to resource linkage.”

Dobong-gu (Mayor Lee Dong-jin) will conduct ‘Dobong Village Exploration Social Economy Education’ in October as part of on-site customized social economy education.

‘Dobong Village Exploration Social Economy Education’ is designed to introduce the somewhat unfamiliar concept of ‘social economy’ by having local residents visit and experience social economy enterprises located throughout Dobong-gu. Any resident interested in social economy enterprises can participate.

The application period is from September 13 to October 22, and applications can be made for desired dates through Naver reservation. The education will proceed if at least two people apply for a session, and considering COVID-19, the maximum number of participants per session is limited to five.

This education, with guided tours by ㈜Maeul Archive, a village travel specialized platform and a prospective social economy enterprise in the region, starts at the caf? ‘Happy Story’ near Exit 1 of Chang-dong Station, visits social enterprises such as Dobong SE Market, Neoreunmaru, and the cooperative, and includes a lecture and board game experience at the Dobong-gu Village Social Economy Support Center.

The education runs from October 5 to October 29, every Tuesday and Friday, twice daily (10 a.m. and 2 p.m.), each session lasting two hours.

Lee Dong-jin, Mayor of Dobong-gu, said, “I hope this education will be a good opportunity to introduce various social economy enterprises in Dobong-gu that promote valuable consumption to residents. I ask many people to join this chance to discover a different side of our village that they may not have known before.”

Gangnam-gu (Mayor Jung Soon-kyun) will impose 770 million KRW in the second installment of this year’s automobile environmental improvement charges on 8,928 diesel vehicle operators in the district this month.

The second installment bills will be sent this month, and the payment period is from the 16th to the 31st. Payments can be made via eTax, Seoul City mobile tax payment app, ATMs, dedicated accounts, ARS, and Internet Giro. A 3% surcharge will be applied for late payments.

Automobiles owned by national merit recipients, disabled persons, and basic livelihood security recipients are exempt from charges for one vehicle, and vehicles equipped with emission reduction devices are exempt for three years.

The environmental improvement charge system, imposed twice a year (March and September), has been implemented by the Ministry of Environment since 1992 to induce reduction of pollutant emissions from diesel vehicles and to rationally secure funding.

Meanwhile, the district is leading the realization of a ‘must-environment city’ by operating the ‘Eco Mileage System,’ which provides incentives such as gift certificates and cash based on energy savings at homes and businesses to promote environmental improvement and low-carbon living.

Dongjak-gu (Mayor Lee Chang-woo) announced on the 14th that it will build ‘CCTV and Emergency Bell LED Guide Boards’ to create safe routes home for residents.

The ‘CCTV and Emergency Bell LED Guide Boards’ are equipped with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to improve visibility at night, allowing people to easily find emergency bells and report emergencies even in the dark.

This addresses the difficulty pedestrians had in recognizing existing CCTV and emergency bell guide boards at night due to lack of lighting.

Among the 757 CCTV locations operated by the district, those installed using the CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) technique for women’s safe routes home and crime prevention were selected as priority installation targets.

The installation points include a total of 168 locations such as ▲crime prevention ▲child protection zones ▲green parking zones ▲parks, with installation scheduled to be completed by the end of November.

Once the LED guide boards are installed, improved nighttime visibility is expected to alleviate residents’ anxiety about walking through dark alleys.

Additionally, by the end of this year, the district plans to invest 800 million KRW to newly install 32 high-definition 2-megapixel CCTVs in dead-end alleys, crime-prone areas, and child protection zones, aiming to prevent crime and create an environment where residents can live safely.

Moon Jeong-soon, Director of the Future City Division, said, “The LED guide board installation is expected to enhance safe walking routes and increase crime prevention effects. We will promote various projects using advanced smart technology to realize a safe city Dongjak without crime.”

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