6 Electric Fast Chargers Installed Near Yangjae IC, Seocho-gu

[Seoul District News] Seocho-gu Starts Operation of ‘Seoripul EV Fast Charging Station’ in Maeheon Citizen’s Forest East Public Parking Lot on 17th & Enhances Convenience, Speed, and Smart Management Unique to Seocho-gu...
Seongdong-gu Installs Safety Mirrors in Vulnerable Areas like Single-Person Household Dense Areas and Alleys to Prevent Crime... Guro-gu Completes Expansion and Remodeling of Gung-dong Comprehensive Social Welfare Center and Opens

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The inconvenience faced by drivers waiting in long lines at electric vehicle charging stations in rest areas along the Gyeongbu Expressway is expected to gradually be resolved.

Seocho-gu (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) began operating the ‘Seoripul EV Rapid Charging Station,’ which can charge six electric vehicles simultaneously, starting from the 17th at the public parking lot on the east side of Maehun Citizen’s Forest near the starting point of Yangjae IC on the Gyeongbu Expressway (237 Yangjae-dong).

This station installation aims to improve the convenience of electric vehicle charging for residents of nearby Yangjae-dong and also to serve electric vehicle users traveling long distances via the Gyeongbu Expressway.

The ‘Seoripul EV Rapid Charging Station’ is equipped with 200Kw rapid chargers and, unlike other charging stations, provides a unique charging service exclusive to Seocho-gu that offers convenience, speed, and smart management 24 hours a day, year-round.

First, the district introduced a system for user convenience. Once a personal payment card is registered for the first time on the dedicated app, users can enjoy a one-stop service from connecting the charging connector to charging and payment.

This reduces the time required compared to the existing three-step process of authentication, connecting the charging connector, and payment. It also eliminates the inconvenience of users having to operate the charger outdoors for a long time during bad weather such as rain, snow, heatwaves, or cold snaps.

Additionally, to smartly monitor long-term occupancy and illegal parking within the rapid charging station, CCTV is installed inside the chargers, establishing an illegal vehicle monitoring system. A fine of 100,000 KRW will be imposed if a non-electric vehicle is parked in the charging spot or if parking exceeds the charging time.

The station also offers a reservation system to reduce waiting times. Typically, electric vehicle users can check real-time charging availability through online apps. However, if another user arrives first when moving to charge, they had to turn back or wait, causing inconvenience. To improve this, a charging reservation function is supported to reduce such discomfort.

Starting from February this year, the district began operating 20 electric chargers at 13 public parking lots and plans to install a total of 77 chargers by the end of the year, including 38 rapid chargers and 39 slow chargers at 21 public parking lots.

Mayor Jeon Seong-su said, “We have established the Seoripul EV Rapid Charging Station to enable more convenient and smarter charging,” adding, “We hope that this station installation will allow users to charge their electric vehicles conveniently and quickly.”

Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jeong Won-oh) is promoting the installation of safety mirrors to proactively prevent crimes that cause anxiety not only among vulnerable groups such as women and youth but also all residents.

Safety mirrors are convex mirrors that provide a wide field of view, allowing immediate detection of suspicious behavior by people behind, which alleviates pedestrians’ psychological anxiety and also has a crime deterrent effect. Installation sites include crime-vulnerable areas or safety blind spots such as subway stations with high foot traffic, areas densely populated by single-person households, and narrow alleys.

Earlier this month, the district conducted on-site surveys in cooperation with Seoul Metro, the Women-Friendly City Resident Participation Group, and other public-private partners. Based on the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s living safety map analyzing the five major crimes in the past year, five subway stations including Wangsimni Station (photo) and Seongsu Station were surveyed, with plans to install mirrors at key points within the stations.

Additionally, recommendations are being received from local community centers for back roads and alleys, and general residents can also apply. The district plans to actively discover safety blind spots that administrative agencies might overlook through resident participation, such as alleys where people usually feel uneasy while walking.

A total of 30 safety mirrors will be installed in the district, and residents wishing to have one installed can apply to the Women and Family Division of Seongdong-gu Office by the end of November. The district will review installation suitability through on-site inspections and proceed with prompt installation.

Mayor Jeong Won-oh of Seongdong-gu said, “In response to the recent increase in digital sex crimes and random crimes, we are striving to alleviate residents’ psychological anxiety and ensure a safe daily life,” adding, “We will do our best to protect the vulnerable and eliminate safety blind spots so that residents can live in a safe and comfortable environment.”

Gung-dong Comprehensive Social Welfare Center is being reborn as a welfare and cultural space.

Guro-gu (Mayor Moon Heon-il) completed remodeling of the Gung-dong Comprehensive Social Welfare Center and will hold an opening ceremony on the 21st.

Guro-gu stated on the 17th, “Selected in 2019 for the Living SOC Complex Project organized by the Prime Minister’s Office, construction began in March this year. The remodeling has recently been completed, and the center will now operate as a space equipped with a living culture center and a small library.”

The Gung-dong Comprehensive Social Welfare Center (5 Ori-ro 22-gil) consists of basement level 1 to the 4th floor, including a gym, swimming pool, auditorium, senior dining hall, and program rooms.

The district invested a total of about 1.7 billion KRW, including 859 million KRW in national funds and 849 million KRW in district funds, to expand and remodel the 969.31㎡ area covering basement level 1 and the 3rd and 4th floors.

The small library on basement level 1 houses about 3,800 books suitable for all ages from infants to adults and includes floor seating, allowing free use by all age groups.

The 3rd and 4th floors serve as the living culture center. The 3rd floor includes a meeting space, soundproof space, and wooden floor space, while the 4th floor features a gym, GX room, and smart health zone. The meeting space is an open area where residents can freely converse and continuously exhibit artworks. The soundproof and wooden floor spaces are equipped with soundproof walls for cultural programs such as performances, concerts, and lectures. The smart health zone, equipped with smart devices like smart bands, and the GX room allow residents to enjoy Pilates, yoga, and more.

The elevator, which previously operated only up to the 3rd floor, now runs to the 4th floor, enhancing facility accessibility. The gym roof on the 4th floor was reinstalled with insulation materials, expected to reduce maintenance costs.

The opening ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on the 21st, featuring a pre-ceremony performance, facility tour, congratulatory speeches, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Marking the 20th anniversary of the Gung-dong Comprehensive Social Welfare Center, the ceremony will also include awards for outstanding welfare workers, choir performances, and a fashion show featuring the smart companion robot ‘Hyodori’ and seniors.

After the ceremony, the welfare center will begin full-scale operations.

A Guro-gu official said, “We hope the renewed Gung-dong Comprehensive Social Welfare Center will become a space that meets residents’ welfare needs and cultural life simultaneously,” adding, “We will continue to do our best to build a foundation where residents can enjoy welfare services and leisure activities together.”

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