Yangcheon-gu Establishes Virtual Desktop-Based Remote Work Support System... Nowon-gu Eliminates Single-Use Paper Cups at District Office Cafe

[Seoul District News] Yangcheon-gu Supports Remote Work with VDI Setup Allowing Office-Equivalent Access from Home, Implements Security Solutions like Screen Capture Prevention and Watermark for Safe Remote Work Environment... Jungnang-gu Recruits Jungnang Artists to Bring Performances to Every Street... Guro-gu Renovates Gocheok Neighborhood Market Arcade

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Kim Soo-young) is building a telecommuting support system based on desktop virtualization technology (VDI: Virtual Desktop Infrastructure), becoming the first autonomous district in Seoul to do so.

As the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has normalized non-face-to-face work culture, the need for a more advanced telecommuting system beyond the existing remote work method (VPN) has emerged.

Accordingly, Yangcheon-gu has decided to introduce desktop virtualization technology (VDI), which allows employees to have the same environment as their office PC even when using their personal PC at home, and build the "Yangcheon-gu Telecommuting Support System." Yangcheon-gu is the first autonomous district in Seoul to apply VDI technology to telecommuting.

“Desktop virtualization technology (VDI)” is a solution that manages data on a central server rather than on the office PC, protecting important information safely from external hacking and ensuring business continuity through a flexible work environment.

The "Yangcheon-gu Telecommuting Support System" operates by allocating the district's main server resources to provide individual virtual desktop environments when employees connect from outside. All data produced and stored during work is saved and protected on the district's main operating server. The district also plans to introduce technologies such as screen capture prevention and watermarking to further strengthen the security system.

After installation and preliminary testing, the district plans to complete the final build by March and provide employees with a fast and convenient telecommuting environment.

Kim Soo-young, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, said, "Once the virtual desktop-based telecommuting support system is established, a work infrastructure that allows work anytime and anywhere will be in place," adding, "We will make every effort to ensure that this project is carried out smoothly, as it enhances security and ensures business continuity."

Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it has introduced a reusable cup sharing system in the district office caf? and has been operating it in earnest since February.

Instead of disposable paper cups that are used once and discarded, the district aims to lead a sustainable resource circulation culture by practicing "zero waste" through reusing plastic cups.

With the introduction of the "Reusable Cup Sharing System," from February, all beverages in the district office caf? can only be served in personal cups or reusable cups.

Used reusable cups can be returned by placing them in return boxes installed on each floor from the 2nd to the 6th floor of the district office. The returned cups are collected once daily by a social enterprise partnered with the district. The collected cups undergo a six-step sterilization and disinfection process before being supplied back to the caf? for reuse.

The district expects this project to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 0.347 tons annually and save 533 volume-based waste bags (100 liters each). The caf? currently operating on the 6th floor plans to move to the 1st floor once construction is completed, and with an expected increase in visitors, the effect is anticipated to be even greater.

The district plans to pilot the reusable cup sharing system within the district office, review improvements, and then expand it to public institutions, welfare centers, and community service centers in the area, as well as encourage nearby caf?s to adopt reusable cup usage.

In addition, the district is promoting various policies to reduce waste and promote resource circulation. It operates three recycling centers and, since July last year, has been running "Saerok," an unpackaged store in collaboration with four local social economy enterprises. "Saerok" is a store that reduces disposable packaging by encouraging customers to bring their own containers, practicing the meaning of recycling and upcycling.

Moreover, the Nowon Eco Center, a carbon-zero building established to respond to climate change, provides climate energy and ecological environment-related learning and experience programs for various age groups from children to seniors, leading environmental education efforts.

Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, said, "Individual will is important, but institutional measures to reduce disposable products are also crucial," adding, "We will continue to make efforts to create an environment where practices to respond to climate change can be part of daily life."

The Jungnang Artist program was established to provide broad performance opportunities for local cultural artists and groups and to allow the community to share cultural talents with neighbors.

The recruitment period is open year-round, and anyone who is a cultural artist or group capable of street performances in music, performing arts, or other artistic fields can apply regardless of qualifications, age, or region.

Selected Jungnang Artists can perform various shows starting in March, including street performances, neighborhood busking, small concerts, and major local festivals such as the Seoul Rose Festival and Yongma Waterfall Culture and Arts Festival.

Those interested can apply through the Jungnang Cultural Foundation website or via email. Detailed information is available on the website, and inquiries can be made to the Jungnang Cultural Foundation.

Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said, "I hope many cultural artists, whose stages have diminished due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, will be given various performance opportunities," adding, "I also hope the performances by Jungnang Artists will bring joy and comfort to the residents."

Guro-gu (Mayor Lee Sung) has renovated the arcade at Gocheok Neighborhood Market.

Guro-gu announced on the 10th, "The arcade at Gocheok Neighborhood Market was installed in 2003 and had become old and worn out," adding, "We conducted a full renovation to provide a pleasant and safe market environment for merchants and customers."

The renovation work on the Gocheok Neighborhood Market arcade was carried out over an area of 1,131.44㎡ with a length of 148 meters around 257-1 Gocheok-dong. The old arcade roof was removed and newly installed with a 16T double-layer panel for enhanced strength. The ceiling height was raised to secure natural lighting, and ventilation under the arcade was improved.

The eaves gutters were completely replaced, significantly improving drainage facilities, and corrosion removal and repainting of the existing steel frame were also performed.

Guro-gu invested a total of approximately 686 million KRW, including about 530 million KRW secured from the Seoul Metropolitan Government's traditional market facility modernization project support contest last year. Construction began in October last year and was recently completed.

Additionally, before the onset of the hot season, Guro-gu plans to install about 20 cooling fans along a 150-meter section at 257-6 Gocheok-dong.

Gocheok Neighborhood Market, with a total floor area of 6,014㎥ and about 2,000 stores, was selected as a "Cultural Tourism Market" by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups in March 2019 and developed into a traditional market street (around Gocheok-ro 32-gil).

Guro-gu has installed traditional roof tiles and eaves above the stores, created traditional pattern gates at the main and north entrances where many customers enter, and carried out various activities such as developing food products and merchant education while maintaining the market's interior and exterior facilities.

A Guro-gu official said, "The arcade renovation has made Gocheok Neighborhood Market even better," adding, "We will do our best to ensure it becomes a pleasant and safe market where merchants and local residents can coexist."

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