Why Ryu Gyeong-gi, Jungnang-gu Mayor, Formed the Nation's First Public-Private Council for Alcohol Harm Prevention?

On the 15th, the 'Jungnang-gu Drinking Environment and Culture Improvement Council' was launched with participation from Jungnang-gu Office and 14 related organizations... The first of its kind nationwide, with Jungnang Police Station, Seoul Eastern Education Support Office, Jungnang Medical Association, Korea Foodservice Industry Central Association Jungnang Branch, and others signing an agreement... A 'Enjoy Without Drunkenness' campaign planned for year-end and New Year gatherings amid With-Corona implementation.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) held an inaugural ceremony on the afternoon of the 15th at the district office’s planning situation room to establish the ‘Jungnang-gu Drinking Environment and Culture Improvement Council’ aimed at creating a healthy drinking culture in the local community.

The ceremony was attended by 14 institutions and organizations including Jungnang Police Station, Seoul Eastern Education Support Office, Jungnang Medical Association, and the Jungnang branch of the Korea Foodservice Industry Association. This is the first time nationwide that a council has been formed with cooperation between professional organizations and local residents to foster a healthy drinking culture environment.

The 14 public-private council members include Jungnang District Office, Jungnang District Council, Jungnang Police Station, Seoul Eastern Education Support Office, Jungnang Medical Association, Jungnang Dental Association, Jungnang Pharmaceutical Association, Seoul Medical Center, Green Hospital, Dongbu Jeil Hospital, Mental Health Welfare Center, Korea Foodservice Industry Association Jungnang branch, Residents’ Autonomy Committee, and the Jungnang Drinking Culture Improvement Council.

Since March this year, Jungnang-gu has been promoting the ‘High-Risk Drinking and Alcohol Harm Prevention Management Project’ in collaboration with the Catholic University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation. Alcohol is the most harmful substance among addictive drugs, and its damage overwhelmingly affects not only the individual but also others. According to the Community Health Survey, the drinking rate of Jungnang residents ranks 15th among Seoul’s districts, which is not high, but the high level of alcohol consumption among drinkers has been raised as an issue.

Additionally, health indicators related to alcohol use, such as the prevalence of depressive symptoms and liver disease mortality rates, ranked low. Accordingly, the need to create a healthy drinking culture environment in the community was raised, leading to the formation of the public-private council.

At the inaugural ceremony, roles were assigned to each institution and organization, laying the foundation for a sustainable drinking culture through cooperation among administrative agencies, healthcare institutions, and the private sector.

Medical institutions such as the Jungnang Medical Association and Jungnang Dental Association will identify high-risk drinkers, provide counseling, and support their recovery through treatment. The Seoul Eastern Education Support Office will strengthen education to help students develop a proper understanding of alcohol. The Residents’ Autonomy Committee will carry out resident-centered activities to encourage voluntary creation of a healthy drinking culture.

Through these activities, the council aims to reduce diseases and accidents caused by drinking in the long term, creating a safe environment and contributing to the improvement of residents’ healthy and happy quality of life.

Furthermore, with the implementation of With-Corona policies and the increase in drinking occasions, especially during the year-end and New Year holidays, the district will jointly promote projects to spread a healthy drinking culture to prevent accidents caused by excessive drinking. The Jungnang Public Health Center and the Korea Foodservice Industry Association Jungnang branch plan to conduct ongoing campaigns to enjoy year-end and New Year drinking occasions “joyfully without intoxication.”

Going forward, the public-private council will meet regularly twice a year to discuss implementation plans and effects, and a separate working group will be formed to operate detailed programs for concrete execution.

Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said, “Starting with the inaugural ceremony of the Jungnang-gu Drinking Environment and Culture Improvement Council, which involves all sectors of society, we will be able to positively change the local drinking culture,” and added, “We ask for the active participation and interest of residents in creating a healthy and safe drinking culture.”

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