Mapo-gu Holds Online New Year's Meeting... Seong Jang-hyun, Yongsan-gu Mayor, "Accelerating International Business Complex Development"

[Seoul District News] Mapo-gu to Hold 'Online New Year's Meeting' at 3 PM on the 6th... Live Broadcast on Mapo-gu YouTube Channel... 'Mapo World' Virtual Space Features Residents' New Year Wishes and BTS Dance Challenge Video... Yongsan-gu Mayor Seong Jang-hyun's New Year Address Filmed and Streamed on District YouTube... Guro-gu Mayor Lee Sung Reports New Year Tasks Online to Residents... Gwanak-gu Mayor Park Jun-hee Starts New Year Work with Non-face-to-face Morning Broadcast... Eunpyeong-gu Opens Permanent Screening Clinic and Respiratory Clinic... Jungnang-gu, Naver Me...

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Mapo-gu (Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) announced that it will hold the ‘2022 Mapo-gu New Year Greeting Meeting’ online at 3 p.m. on the 6th to welcome the Year of the Black Tiger.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of residents, this New Year Greeting Meeting will be broadcast live in real time on Mapo-gu’s official YouTube channel (my Mapo Mapo-gu). It is designed as a place of communication and harmony to pledge progress together with residents for the new year and share the vision of ‘a bigger and happier Mapo through communication and innovation.’

Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun of Mapo-gu plans to deliver the direction of district administration focusing on overcoming COVID-19 and recovery to a better daily life, plans for healing the local economy, creating a pleasant residential environment, strengthening community care functions and social safety nets, low-carbon eco-friendly policies, and other future plans to improve residents’ quality of life in his New Year’s address.

After the host’s opening declaration, the event will begin with a video containing the hopeful New Year wishes of Mapo-gu residents, followed by a congratulatory performance of ‘Beom Naeryeonda’ by the Odyssey performance team and a promotional video of Mapo-gu tourism.

In particular, this year’s New Year wishes video of Mapo-gu residents was produced with metaverse elements, set in a virtual space called ‘Mapo World,’ where residents’ appearances filmed at local landmarks such as Yeonnam-dong Central Park and World Cup Market can be seen. Additionally, the event features a Mapo-gu residents’ dance challenge to BTS’s ‘Permission to Dance,’ choreographed using sign language symbolizing overcoming COVID-19.

A district official said, “Due to the COVID-19 situation, the New Year Greeting Meeting is held online, and to communicate with more residents, we planned the residents’ New Year wishes and dance challenge. With over 120 Mapo-gu residents participating, the largest scale ever, it is meaningful as it conveys messages of overcoming COVID-19 and hope.”

“Dear Yongsan family! Based on the brilliant achievements of the past 11 years, we will accelerate district development to soar as a global central city.”

Yongsan-gu (Mayor Sung Chang-hyun) replaced the New Year greeting meeting with a non-face-to-face event considering the COVID-19 situation. On the 3rd, the mayor’s New Year address was recorded on video and broadcast on the district’s YouTube channel.

Mayor Sung said in his New Year address, “Despite the difficulties of the COVID-19 crisis last year, we were recognized as a livable city. We will not stop at being a friendly city for the elderly, children, and women but will expand better services and infrastructure for a people-centered happy city, Yongsan.”

He also pledged, “This spring, the sports field and softball stadium on the returned Yongsan Park site will open. We will support the government to break down the forbidden walls and transform the U.S. military base into a world-class park.”

In particular, he said, “Last June, we completed the establishment of the Yongsan district unit plan for 1.04 million pyeong, including the creation of the international business district and the undergrounding of the Gyeongbu Line. We will proactively respond to changes in the times to ensure all development projects across Yongsan proceed calmly.”

Mayor Sung promised residents, “We will devote ourselves to restoring daily life and revitalizing the local economy. By issuing 50 billion won worth of Yongsan Love Gift Certificates, twice the amount of last year, we will root an economic virtuous cycle throughout Yongsan.”

He also emphasized, “In March this year, the long-neglected railroad hospital will be reborn as the Yongsan History Museum. The museum will be the core of the historical and cultural renaissance special zone, generating 66.2 billion won in production inducement effects over the next five years, enhancing Yongsan’s status and laying the foundation for Yongsan’s future century.”

Lee Sung, Mayor of Guro-gu, will report the New Year’s work plan to residents online.

Guro-gu announced on the 4th, “We will hold an online New Year’s work report titled ‘Talking about Guro 2022’ to explain the direction of district administration and major projects for the new year to residents. The annual New Year’s sunrise event will not be held to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

The ‘Talking about Guro 2022’ New Year’s work report was pre-recorded and will be released on the YouTube channel ‘Guro-gu Office Broadcasting Center’ on the morning of the 7th.

Mayor Lee Sung stated in the New Year’s work report video, “We will support residents’ recovery from COVID-19 and breathe new life into the city,” outlining the direction of district administration for the new year.

He introduced the current status of major projects such as building smart city infrastructure, expanding libraries, constructing national and public daycare centers, and creating various cultural and sports facilities, promising, “I will not hesitate to start anew if it is for the residents during the remaining term.”

He also explained key issues and priority projects by sector, including the selection of a future education district and the promotion of Anyangcheon National Garden creation, as well as this year’s budget status.

Guro-gu also held the New Year greeting meeting for residents and the opening ceremony for employees as non-face-to-face events.

First, the New Year greeting meeting video was released on the 1st. The video consisted of Mayor Lee Sung’s New Year address and New Year’s greetings from key figures such as members of the National Assembly and city and district councilors.

For employees, an online opening ceremony was held using the internal administrative network of the district office to convey the New Year’s vision and requests.

A Guro-gu official said, “Due to the spread of COVID-19, we prepared New Year events using online methods. In the hopeful Year of the Black Tiger, all public officials at the district office will do their best to create a more people-centered and happier Guro.”

Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) started work by emphasizing communication and cooperation with employees and the local community through morning broadcasts within the office without a separate opening ceremony to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the Year of the Black Tiger.

Mayor Park Jun-hee of Gwanak-gu delivered New Year greetings to employees via morning broadcast at 9 a.m. on the 3rd to secure the health and safety of employees following strengthened COVID-19 quarantine measures.

Mayor Park encouraged employees, saying, “Last year was a historic year preparing for overcoming COVID-19 and what comes after, and our district achieved brilliant results despite unprecedented crises. This was all thanks to the passionate dedication and efforts of our employees.”

He added, “If last year was a time to lay the foundation for change and innovation amid the COVID-19 crisis, this year is an important time to create changes that residents can feel based on those achievements. I ask everyone to do their best in their respective positions through active participation and creative work innovation.”

He also said, “The greatest value in life is happiness, and if our employees are happy, the quality of life that residents experience through district administration can also improve. As mayor, I will always think hard and make great efforts to create a happy and vibrant working environment,” concluding the broadcast with this commitment.

In the afternoon, he sequentially visited the Gwanak Cultural Foundation, Gwanak Fire Station, and Gwanak Police Station, which cooperated with COVID-19-related work, to express gratitude for their active cooperation in operating COVID-19-related facilities and transporting confirmed patients.

Afterward, he visited the COVID-19 response team situation rooms, the district health center, and all departments of the district office to encourage employees and listen to their difficulties.

Mayor Park said, “I am always deeply grateful for the hard work of the workers who silently do their best for the safe and comfortable recovery of residents’ daily lives. Thanks to your efforts, with quarantine and successful vaccination, we will soon be able to return to normal life.”

Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong District (left), is visiting the screening clinic to encourage the staff.

Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) announced that it has newly opened a ‘Permanent Screening Clinic and Respiratory Dedicated Clinic’ on the first floor of the health center to effectively respond to the crisis of new infectious diseases such as COVID-19 testing.

The district invested a total of 950 million won, including 241 million won in national funds and 100 million won in city funds, to remodel the first floor of the health center by the end of last month to build the screening clinic and respiratory dedicated clinic.

Until now, the district operated the screening clinic and respiratory dedicated clinic in a poor environment consisting of containers and tents. With the completion of this remodeling, both visitors and medical staff can use the facilities in a pleasant environment.

The remodeled facility is equipped with a negative pressure central control system and air purification devices. Visitors can safely undergo tests in a short time with minimal movement through the newly established reception room, medical examination room, specimen collection room, respiratory dedicated clinic, X-ray room, and patient transfer waiting room.

Medical staff can perform reception and specimen collection in a comfortable space. Especially, the entire process from reception to specimen collection is conducted as a ‘non-contact walk-through,’ perfectly separating the movement paths of medical staff and visitors to minimize infection risk.

Additionally, by installing the respiratory dedicated clinic, the district has established a medical utilization system to prepare for the simultaneous outbreak of new infectious diseases and respiratory infectious diseases such as colds and flu. The district expects to resolve concerns about gaps in medical care for respiratory and fever patients.

Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, said, “We have laid the foundation to protect the health of citizens and medical staff in preparation for the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and the outbreak of new infectious diseases. We will do our best to protect citizens’ health and safety until COVID-19 ends.”

Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) has built a virtual world of Manguri Historical and Cultural Park, a treasure trove of modern and contemporary Korean history, through Naver’s metaverse platform ‘ZEPETO.’

Upon entering, visitors can virtually experience key historical facilities such as the Jungnang Mangwoo Space, scheduled to open in 2022, a character wall introducing major modern historical figures like Han Yong-un and Bang Jeong-hwan, registered cultural heritage tombstones, and the joint tombstone of independence activist Yu Gwan-sun in Itaewon.

‘Metaverse’ is a compound word of ‘meta,’ meaning virtual or abstract, and ‘universe,’ meaning the real world, referring to a virtual world where economic, cultural, and social activities can be conducted using avatars. Naver ZEPETO, used by 200 million people worldwide, is a global metaverse platform where 80% of users belong to the MZ (Millennial and Generation Z) generation, representing the future generation.

Considering these characteristics, the Manguri Historical and Cultural Park metaverse was created with three features: history, healing, and enjoyment, to arouse the interest and curiosity of the MZ generation and allow them to feel healing and enjoyment along with the park’s historical and cultural background.

Entering the four-season themed Manguri Historical and Cultural Park, visitors see bus stops and park information boards, and upon entering the main gate, the spring theme unfolds. This area includes the Jungnang Mangwoo Space scheduled to open in 2022, a famous person character wall, Nogosan commemorative monument, observatory, and rest area. The summer theme features the 13-degree Creative Army Tower, Hall of Great People (underground maze), outdoor picnic area, valley, garden, and jumping game. The autumn and winter themes include a large observatory, cloud bridge jumping game, and the joint tombstone of Itaewon independence activists. Registered cultural heritage tombs of Han Yong-un, Bang Jeong-hwan, Seo Dong-il, and Seo Gwang-jo are located throughout the four-season themes.

Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi of Jungnang-gu said, “In these days when outdoor activities are difficult due to COVID-19, I hope the Manguri Historical and Cultural Park metaverse, created in a fun way, becomes a space where young generations can enjoyably learn history while meeting patriots who led modern and contemporary history.”

Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol) has confirmed an increase of 900 million won in education expense subsidies from last year to 8 billion won, continuing investment in nurturing future talents in 2022.

Despite the difficult financial situation, the district allocated 8 billion won in education expense subsidies to improve the educational environment, ranking among the top 25 autonomous districts in Seoul for the second consecutive year.

The education expense subsidies will be used to support programs for strengthening academic achievement and enhancing public education quality, future core competency education to nurture proactive talents suitable for the future society amid uncertain environments such as COVID-19, and actively support future environmental and ecological education to respond to global crises such as climate change and environmental pollution for sustainable society creation.

Additionally, 5.298 billion won was allocated for eco-friendly meal support expanded to kindergartens from this year, 414 million won for school entrance preparation funds for elementary, middle, and high schools, and 300 million won for free education for all grades in high school. The budget increased by 818 million won compared to the previous year to create an educational environment where students in the region can learn and grow together without discrimination or exclusion.

Details of support for kindergartens and elementary, middle, and high schools will be decided through the Dongdaemun-gu Education Expense Subsidy Deliberation Committee this year.

Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol of Dongdaemun-gu said, “To make Dongdaemun-gu a good place to raise children and convenient for studying, we increased the education expense subsidy by 900 million won from last year to 8 billion won. We will do our best so that students in the region can receive high-quality public education without discrimination this year as well.”

Seoul Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Kyum-soo) will carry out the Hope Ondol Warm Winter Project until the 14th of next month.

The Hope Ondol Project is a public-private cooperative fundraising campaign in partnership with the Seoul Social Welfare Community Chest. The support targets low-income residents in urgent need and vulnerable groups in welfare blind spots.

The fundraising goal is 1 billion won, the same as last year. Although Gangbuk-gu raised about 1.52 billion won in 2020, exceeding the target, it maintained the previous year’s level considering the difficulties caused by COVID-19. Donation items include cash, daily necessities such as rice, kimchi, briquettes, and individually packaged clothing.

Residents and businesses wishing to share warmth can apply via QR code or visit the district welfare policy division or local community centers. Donations from all sectors will be delivered to social welfare facilities, elderly living alone, and disabled families in the region.

The district has launched fundraising encouragement activities centered on QR codes to increase participation. All donors will receive thank-you letters, and sponsors’ names will be published in the district newsletter. There are also plans to regularly award certificates of appreciation to residents who help neighbors.

Mayor Park Kyum-soo of Gangbuk-gu said, “We will deliver goods and donations to neighbors in need with the warm hearts shown by all donors. We ask for much interest and support so that the helping and caring hands of sharing and consideration can circulate in a virtuous cycle.”

Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Chae Hyun-il) announced that it will provide a ‘First Meeting Voucher’ worth 2 million won per newborn to all babies born from the new year.

The ‘First Meeting Voucher’ is a support fund to reduce the economic burden of early child-rearing. It is a project implemented to integrate and adjust childbirth incentives that the government previously conducted individually in each local government and to reduce population inflow and outflow caused by differences in childbirth incentives.

The voucher will be paid as a one-time lump sum of 2 million won in voucher (card points) to newborns registered after January 1, 2022, regardless of birth order. It can be received on the existing National Happiness Card or by issuing a new card at each financial institution.

The points can be used in all industries except those classified as entertainment establishments, gambling industries, leisure industries, and other types outside the payment purpose. They can be used for one year from the birth date, and unused points will automatically expire after the period ends.

Online applications can be made from January 5 on the Bokjiro website and from January 7 on Government24, and applications can also be made by visiting local community centers. The district plans to pay the vouchers from April after preparation for the system implementation.

Meanwhile, with the payment of the ‘First Meeting Voucher,’ the existing childbirth incentive and birth congratulatory gift support projects will end. Babies born in 2021 can receive childbirth incentives within six months from the birth date and birth congratulatory gifts within three months from the birth date by applying. However, childbirth incentives can be applied for within six months after one year if the residence period in Yeongdeungpo-gu is less than one year.

Mayor Chae Hyun-il of Yeongdeungpo-gu said, “The burden of childbirth and child-rearing is not only an individual problem but one that the nation and society must share. We will continue to strive to create a high-quality childcare environment and measures to increase the birth rate to make Yeongdeungpo a childbirth-friendly city where both children and parents are happy.”

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