‘Seoul 2000, History and Tourism Meet’ Special Talk Show Held

[Seoul District News] Songpa-gu Hosts Special Seoul History Talk Show "Seoul 2000, History and Tourism Meet" on the 22nd at Seokchonhosu Atelier... Gangdong-gu Unveils "Hope Drops Tree"... Seodaemun-gu Holds Vision Declaration Ceremony "Sustainable City Seodaemun Embracing the Future!"... Dongdaemun-gu Operates Touchscreen Kiosk on 1st Floor of District Office... Yongsan-gu Self-Support Project Team Launches Youth Bakery & Cafe Masil... Dongjak-gu Forms 34 Billion KRW Investment Fund to Foster Startups

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) sponsored the special Seoul history talk show titled “Seoul 2000 Years, Where History Meets Tourism,” held on the 22nd at the ‘Seokchon Lake Atelier.’

“Seoul 2000 Years, Where History Meets Tourism” is an online talk show themed on ways to further activate Hanseong Baekje historical and cultural resources in Songpa-gu as tourism assets. Presenters and panelists included Professor Lee Ik-joo from the University of Seoul and Professor Seo Kyung-duk from Sungshin Women’s University.

Songpa-gu was the center of culture and economy during the Three Kingdoms period, housing the royal fortress sites Pungnap Toseong and Mongchon Toseong in Hanseong (the old name for Seoul), which was the capital of Baekje for over 500 years. Based on these historical resources, Songpa-gu has developed the ‘Songpa Dullegil’ and the connected ‘Pungnap Toseong Exploration Trail,’ providing rich cultural experiences that link the living history of Hanseong Baekje with tourism.

A resident who watched the talk show said, “While taking a walk along the ‘Songpa Dullegil,’ I ended up going to the ‘Pungnap Toseong Exploration Trail,’ and it was great to encounter the historical sites of Hanseong Baekje in everyday life.”

Mayor Park Seong-su of Songpa-gu said, “Songpa-gu is a global historical and cultural city where the 500-year history of Hanseong Baekje and the most modern urban culture harmonize. Through urban regeneration projects in Pungnap-dong and the creation of a ‘museum without a roof,’ we will transform into a historical and cultural tourism city where cultural heritage and residents coexist.”

The special talk show “Seoul 2000 Years, Where History Meets Tourism” can be rewatched on the YouTube channel ‘SongpaTV.’

Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon) is unveiling the ‘Hope Drops Tree,’ a Christmas tree filled with the hopes of Gangdong residents, to celebrate Christmas.

Since 2012, Gangdong-gu has been presenting unique Christmas tree sculptures each year using different forms and materials. This year, under the theme ‘Hope Drops,’ a Christmas tree composed of bells representing the hopes of Gangdong residents was installed in the open yard of Gangdong-gu Office.

The design of this year’s tree symbolizes the hope for a bright future among residents who have endured difficult times due to COVID-19, wishing them to briefly escape their weary daily lives and enjoy a joyful year-end and New Year.

In front of the tree, an interactive sculpture was also installed where residents can write their hopes on colorful hope balls and place them on the tree.

Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon of Gangdong-gu said, “I hope the ‘Hope Drops Tree,’ filled with the hopes of residents, will bring some comfort to those exhausted by COVID-19. I sincerely thank all residents who actively participated in the district administration this year and the medical staff and public officials who protected residents’ lives on the front lines of COVID-19. We will work even harder next year to welcome a brighter future.”

Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) held a vision proclamation ceremony on the 22nd in the large auditorium on the 6th floor of the district office under the catchphrase “Sustainable City Seodaemun Embracing the Future!” to adopt and announce its sustainability vision internally and externally.

At the event, seven people including one representative each from women, elderly, disabled, youth, and business sectors, along with Professor Kim Jin-wook of Myongji University’s Department of Child Studies, chair of the Seodaemun-gu Sustainable Development Committee, and Mayor Moon Seok-jin, read the vision declaration containing seven strategies.

The declaration included Seodaemun-gu’s commitment to realizing seven strategies: ▲human well-being and capacity building ▲healthy food and food security ▲sustainable and fair economy and labor ▲low-carbon energy supply and universal access ▲protection of global environmental public goods ▲sustainable urban and suburban development ▲integrated and inclusive governance and implementation means.

This year, the district operated a deliberative forum involving 11 stakeholder groups from various sectors such as women, children and youth, elderly, and disabled for the first time at the local government level to reestablish the basic sustainable development plan and derive sustainable development goals.

Following resident surveys, department feedback, and general meetings, the sustainable development vision for Seodaemun-gu was finalized.

Mayor Moon Seok-jin said, “I hope Seodaemun-gu becomes a happier place for current and future generations through sustainable development that preserves coexistence and mutual growth between people and nature.”

The Seodaemun-gu Sustainable Development Committee, launched in April this year with about 40 members including professors, civil society representatives, and district council members, has opened forums involving various stakeholders across education and culture, health and welfare, climate and environment, and institutional economy sectors.

Mayor Park Seong-su of Songpa-gu announced on the 22nd that the ‘Carbon Neutrality Symposium’ was successfully held under the theme ‘Exploring Directions for Environmental Governance Development.’

Since establishing the ‘Songpa-type Green New Deal Carbon Neutral City Plan’ in September last year, the first among Seoul’s autonomous districts, the district has continuously organized events to raise awareness of the importance of carbon neutrality.

Especially this year, the district held the ‘Carbon Neutrality Pledge Ceremony for Songpa Residents’ in May and the ‘Carbon Neutrality Talk Concert_Songpa Goes Green’ in November, followed by the third event, the ‘Carbon Neutrality Symposium.’

Mayor Park Seong-su explained the background, saying, “Through this symposium, we aim to lead climate crisis response actions by residents and experts and build consensus on carbon neutrality within the local community.”

The symposium began with presentations in the following order: ▲Jeon Ui-chan, Chair of the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Committee’s Climate Change Committee, on ‘Exploring Directions for Environmental Governance Development in Songpa-gu’ ▲Yoo Mi, Secretary-General of Nowon Environmental Foundation, on ‘Model Cases of Environmental Governance in Local Governments’ ▲Won Young-jae, Chair of the Climate Subcommittee of the Green Songpa Committee, on ‘The Necessity of Supporting Environmental Activities for Future Generations.’

This was followed by a heated discussion on proactive responses to the increasingly severe climate crisis and the realization of carbon neutrality.

District council members and Green Songpa Committee members participated, and the entire event was broadcast live on YouTube’s ‘SongpaTV.’

Mayor Park Seong-su of Songpa-gu said, “Achieving carbon neutrality requires the combined efforts of not only local governments but also civic groups, academia, and residents. We will continue to reflect diverse opinions from residents and experts to proactively respond to the climate crisis, enact the first carbon neutrality ordinance among autonomous districts, establish a carbon neutrality committee, and actively develop specialized projects to position Songpa as a leading carbon-neutral city.”

Meanwhile, the district is pursuing 40 detailed projects across six major sectors?buildings, transportation, waste, public sector, green infrastructure, and external cooperation?with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, making various efforts to realize a carbon-neutral city.

Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol) installed a kiosk (unmanned information terminal) on the first floor of the district office to provide administrative and civil service guidance in digital braille, voice, and sign language, improving accessibility for disabled and elderly visitors.

The district introduced the kiosk to conveniently deliver information and services to digitally vulnerable groups such as the disabled and elderly, who face particular difficulties in the era of non-face-to-face work preferred for COVID-19 infection prevention.

Civil petitioners can use the kiosk to check information about facilities on each floor and the 14 community service centers. They can also view Dongdaemun-gu transportation information such as public transit arrival times. The floor guide map of the district office is provided as a 3D stereoscopic map for easy understanding.

The kiosk operates via a touchscreen and supports digital braille and voice for the visually impaired and sign language videos for the hearing impaired. It has an automatic height adjustment function for wheelchair users and screen zoom in/out features to assist elderly or low-vision users in recognizing the screen.

On the 23rd, visitor Jo ○sook said, “I wanted to find the responsible department at the district office, and using the kiosk without face-to-face interaction with staff made me feel comfortable and confident as I searched on my own. The map was displayed in 3D, making it easy to find.”

Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol of Dongdaemun-gu said, “We will focus on discovering and expanding policies that improve accessibility so that no one is excluded from administrative communication. Especially for the disabled, many challenges remain, and we will do our best to improve blind spots in disability welfare.”

Yongsan-gu (Mayor Seong Chang-hyun) Regional Self-Support Center (Director Shin Min-jung) opened the self-support project group ‘Youth Bakery & Cafe Masil’ at Yongsan E-Mart. Youth Bakery & Cafe Masil is a model of regional win-win cooperation for self-support labor projects.

The opening ceremony was held on the 22nd at 3 p.m. with about 20 guests including Ahn Soo-kyung, President of the Seoul Regional Self-Support Center Association; Shin Min-jung, Director of Seoul Yongsan Regional Self-Support Center; Yoo Seung-jae, Deputy Mayor of Yongsan-gu; and Park Jang-dae, Manager of E-Mart Yongsan Branch.

Since early this year, the district has provided technical training in beverage, confectionery, and bakery production to self-support workers and searched for a business location. E-Mart Yongsan Branch provided the space at about one-tenth of the market rent and signed a ‘Business Agreement to Promote Self-Support Labor Projects and Welfare Projects for Vulnerable Groups’ on November 25.

Youth Bakery & Cafe Masil, located at the entrance of the basement floor 1 of E-Mart Yongsan Branch (55 Hangang-daero 23-gil, Yongsan-gu), covers an area of 18.83㎡. Eight self-support workers work in shifts for 8 hours a day (including 1 hour break). The daily wage is 49,860 KRW.

Worker Heo Jeong-jin (46) said, “It is difficult to find a job due to COVID-19, so I am grateful to learn confectionery and bakery skills and gain employment. I will grow together with Youth Bakery & Cafe Masil.”

Youth Bakery & Cafe Masil operates during the same hours as E-Mart Yongsan Branch, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It sells 10 types of confectionery such as scones and 10 types of beverages including coffee. Sales profits are used to create a central asset growth fund, support center activation, and pay performance bonuses to workers.

Mayor Seong Chang-hyun of Yongsan-gu said, “Providing jobs is the most productive welfare. We will accelerate the expansion of self-support projects that help vulnerable groups become self-reliant.”

Self-support labor projects provide work opportunities to basic livelihood security recipients or near-poverty groups to help them become self-reliant. The district plans to operate 16 project groups and 3 self-support enterprises next year, including public interest, social service, and market entry types.

Dongjak-gu (Mayor Lee Chang-woo) announced on the 23rd that it has formed an investment association worth 34 billion KRW to create a regional industry-academic cluster, establish a foundation for startups, and foster and attract startup and venture companies.

The fund size far exceeded the initial target of 20 billion KRW, reaching 34 billion KRW.

The district signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the 9th with InterValue Partners (CEO Kim Young-seok), selected as the fund’s general partner (fund manager), to promote investment in startups and venture companies in Dongjak-gu and establish a foundation for industry-academic cluster formation.

Through this agreement, the two organizations agreed to cooperate not only on the mandatory investment ratio of over 200% of Dongjak-gu’s contribution but also on networking events to promote investment and support for building industry-academic-research cooperation systems.

Major limited partners include the Korea Fund of Funds, Dongjak-gu, Seongnam Industry Promotion Agency, financial institutions, general corporations, and startup representatives. Notably, more than 200% (over 2 billion KRW) of Dongjak-gu’s 1 billion KRW contribution is mandated to be invested in local companies to foster growth and regional settlement.

Investments will begin as early as early next year, with a six-year investment and exit period to allow startups to focus on technology development and operate stably. Bold investments will be made in the first two years to help startups settle early.

Dongjak-gu is the only university-dense area in the southwestern part of Seoul, hosting excellent resources such as Soongsil University, Chung-Ang University, and Chongshin University. However, startups and venture companies have suffered from lack of funds, causing difficulties in technology development and company operation, leading them to move to other regions. This fund was created considering these factors.

To this end, the district enacted the ‘Ordinance on Fostering and Supporting Industry-Academic Cluster-Type Startups and Venture Companies in Dongjak-gu, Seoul’ to establish a legal foundation. It also formed and operates the Dongjak-gu Startup and Venture Company Fostering Committee with 39 members, providing administrative and financial support for startup growth.

Jeon Hye-young, Director of the Job Policy Division, said, “Along with existing indirect support projects centered on subsidies and loans, we will create a fund that directly invests in startups to establish a sustainable job creation system and create new growth engines to lead the local economy.”

From 2022, all daycare centers in Jongno-gu will be provided with ‘Communication Masks (masks that show the mouth)’ to support language development in infants and toddlers.

Encouraged by the high satisfaction and media attention from the pilot project conducted in September and October this year, Jongno-gu decided to expand the project to all daycare centers in the district starting next year.

The target group includes about 400 lead teachers of 0-2-year-old classes and teachers of classes for children with disabilities in Jongno-gu daycare centers. This is expected to greatly help solve the problem of delayed learning development in children caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

Experts say that infants and toddlers develop language, intellectual abilities, and social skills by observing the mouth shapes and facial expressions of others and empathizing with emotions. However, prolonged mask-wearing during the COVID-19 era has caused more difficulties in language learning compared to previous generations.

Jongno-gu deeply empathized with the need for customized childcare appropriate to developmental stages and previously provided communication masks to lead teachers and enrolled children in three infant classes at local daycare centers. Staff wore communication masks during childcare activities, and children wore transparent masks only if desired.

As a result, staff reported that infants responded immediately to teachers’ mouth shapes and expressions and asked fewer questions about unfamiliar words than before, aiding language development.

Communication masks also showed positive effects on ‘social development.’ Nonverbal expressions such as kissing the teacher’s mouth and smiling together increased. Parents’ satisfaction also rose accordingly, according to daycare center officials.

A district official said, “There have been continuous inquiries from other local governments about Jongno-gu’s communication mask project. Due to this influence, Seoul City recently provided transparent masks to childcare teachers in 25 autonomous districts this month. We will continue to implement meticulous policies at the community level to help solve learning delays caused by COVID-19 and improve the quality of childcare environments.”

Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) was selected as an ‘Excellent District’ in the comprehensive autonomous district category in the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s ‘2021 National Resident Participation Budget System Evaluation,’ securing a special grant of 60 million KRW.

The Resident Participation Budget System evaluation is conducted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to promote the resident participation budget system and spread best practices among local governments nationwide.

Eunpyeong-gu was selected for two consecutive years in the comprehensive autonomous district category.

The district received consistently high scores in key evaluation items such as the composition and operation of resident participation budget organizations, the scope, level, and authority of resident participation, support for resident participation activities, and potential for development. In particular, it was highly evaluated for its main budget (draft) review system that guarantees substantial resident participation authority.

This year, the district systematized the online deliberation and public opinion process and developed a brand for effective promotion of the resident participation budget system, making various efforts to expand resident participation. The number of resident votes increased by 61% compared to last year, and views on the resident participation budget website and SNS surged, showing results.

Despite the COVID-19 situation, the district held the nation’s first online resident general meeting and operated an online public forum to promote resident participation through deliberation and public opinion. Based on these achievements, it established an online resident participation platform where anyone can participate ‘anytime, anywhere, and easily.’

Mayor Kim Mi-kyung of Eunpyeong-gu said, “We will continue to actively support the activation and development of the resident participation budget system. We ask many residents to participate in the newly operated online platform ‘Participation Big Forest.’”

Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) announced on the 23rd that it won the Cultural Heritage Administration Commissioner’s Award in the ‘2021 Excellent Local Cultural Heritage Utilization Projects’ evaluation for the program ‘1908 Seodaemun Prison, Connecting with the World 2021.’

The Cultural Heritage Administration selected 26 projects out of 400 nationwide projects funded by the national government this year across five categories (▲Living Cultural Heritage ▲Confucian Academies and Seowon Cultural Heritage ▲Traditional Mountain Temple Cultural Heritage ▲Old Houses and Ancestral Homes ▲Cultural Heritage Night Tours) for awards.

Among them, the district received the honor in the ‘Living Cultural Heritage Project’ category.

From April to November this year, the district held a historical experience program under the theme ‘Walking Following the Star of Independence’ at the Seodaemun Prison History Hall for foreign exchange students and foreigners residing in Korea.

The program offered a special experience to feel the spirit of independence of ancestors from over 100 years ago through a play reenacting independence activists imprisoned at Seodaemun Prison, historical guided tours, mini concerts, flower-making for memorial offerings, and letter writing to independence martyrs.

It also conducted traditional market experience programs in cooperation with the Yeongcheon Market Merchants Association.

The district was the only Seoul autonomous district to receive the award this year as well as last year and has been selected again as a recipient of the Cultural Heritage Administration’s ‘Local Cultural Heritage Utilization Project’ support for next year.

Mayor Moon Seok-jin of Seodaemun-gu said, “In the new year, we plan to continue historical reenactment tours, concerts, real-time video streaming, and the Seodaemun Global Cultural Planner Training Program.”

Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Seon-gap)’s representative attraction, ‘Achasan Companion Forest Trail,’ was selected as the only ‘Winter Season Non-Face-to-Face Safe Tourism Destination’ in Seoul.

The Korea Tourism Organization announced earlier this month 25 winter tourism destinations where visitors can travel safely amid the phased return to normal life. The selected sites include natural healing tourism spots, various historical sites, and old-style small stations preserving traditional atmospheres.

Achasan is a representative sunrise viewing spot in Seoul and a beloved resting place for residents. The Achasan Companion Forest Trail, newly renovated in June this year, is a barrier-free forest trail. It has no stairs, making it comfortable for the elderly, disabled, and other mobility-impaired visitors.

Each tree around the Companion Forest Trail has a nameplate with its own story, allowing visitors to feel as if they are conversing with the forest while walking.

The Achasan Local History Room and History and Culture Promotion Center operate ‘History and Culture Classes’ and ‘History and Culture Tours’ for residents and tourists visiting Achasan. Anyone who wishes to participate can join for free and experience the historical and cultural value of Achasan with expert guides.

Additionally, the ‘Achasan Forest Library’ is scheduled to open in 2022, and the ‘Hongnyeonbong Fortress Ruins Exhibition Hall’ in 2023. These will serve as cultural healing spaces and historical education facilities to enjoy nature.

Mayor Kim Seon-gap of Gwangjin-gu said, “We are pleased that Achasan Companion Forest Trail has been selected as a winter non-face-to-face safe tourism destination, making it known to more people. We will continue to develop diverse cultural tourism content to make Gwangjin-gu a place everyone wants to visit.”

Dobong-gu (Mayor Lee Dong-jin) presented its carbon neutrality best practices at the ‘2021 Local Government Climate Change Response Performance Report Meeting’ hosted by the Ministry of Environment and organized by the Korea Environment Corporation on the 22nd.

Dobong-gu was recognized for activities including ▲designing 2050 carbon neutrality reflecting local characteristics ▲establishing the ‘Dobong Residents’ Practice Charter’ ▲spreading the ‘Greenhouse Gas Reduction Pledge to Cut 4 Tons per Person’ campaign ▲promoting carbon neutrality awareness through the Dobong Environmental Education Center and UNESCO’s official Sustainable Development Education (ESD) project, leading to its selection as a best practice case.

The report meeting, held non-face-to-face via ZOOM and YouTube, aimed to discover, share, and spread excellent cases of local government carbon neutrality initiatives. Among 32 local government cases, 12 basic and metropolitan local governments including Dobong-gu were selected as best cases.

Dobong-gu was the only city in Korea to receive the highest grade A in the ‘2021 Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)’ evaluation of 965 cities worldwide and won the Minister of Environment Award at the ‘2021 Carbon Neutrality Competition,’ gaining recognition for its climate and energy policies.

On the 16th, Dobong-gu was also selected as an excellent case in climate and energy at the ‘GCoM Korea Network Meeting’ hosted by the GCoM Korea Secretariat and ICLEI Korea Office.

Mayor Lee Dong-jin of Dobong-gu said, “I am pleased that Dobong-gu’s efforts to respond to the climate crisis have been well recognized. We will continue to actively cooperate and participate with the government’s ‘2050 Carbon Neutrality’ goal and strive to become a role model local government in climate crisis response.”

Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Chae Hyun-il) conducted joint safety inspections with external experts on a total of 58 construction sites and safety-vulnerable facilities to prepare for various winter disasters such as heavy snow and fires.

From November 20, the district focused inspections on 48 medium and large construction sites and 10 safety-vulnerable facilities including type 3 facilities and specific management target facilities, checking the establishment and implementation of safety management measures.

The inspections were conducted jointly by specialized personnel from the Regional Construction Safety Center such as soil and foundation engineers, architects, and structural engineers, along with the Seoul City advisory group.

The main inspection items included ▲establishment of emergency contact systems and safety management plans for disaster response ▲safety management of construction equipment such as tower cranes and drilling machines and tidiness around construction sites ▲checking for ground subsidence, cracks, and damage to earth retaining structures at excavation sites.

Additionally, they checked ▲plans for fire, explosion, and suffocation prevention ▲reinforcement and maintenance of temporary fences, screens, and falling object prevention nets against strong winds ▲availability of emergency snow removal materials and equipment for winter heavy snow.

For safety-vulnerable facilities, inspections included ▲uneven settlement, tilting, detachment, corrosion, exposure, and leakage of ground, buildings, and residential slopes ▲disaster risk factors such as cracks and deformation in major structural parts ▲whether safety measures such as repairs and reinforcements were implemented.

COVID-19 prevention measures were also thoroughly checked, including ▲management of workers entering construction sites ▲compliance with personal hygiene rules ▲disinfection and ventilation status on site, emphasizing prevention of COVID-19 spread and health management of workers.

Minor issues found during inspections were immediately corrected on-site, while defects requiring repair or reinforcement were ordered to be fixed along with additional safety measures. The district plans to manage these intensively until risks are eliminated.

Mayor Chae Hyun-il of Yeongdeungpo-gu said, “Through regular and meticulous safety inspections, we will proactively prevent safety accidents that may occur in winter. We will do our best to minimize human casualties and property damage through close emergency contact systems and continuous site management.”

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