Songpa-gu Provides Emergency Heating Cost Support to 66 Senior Centers

Seogang-seok, Mayor of Songpa District, visited an elderly welfare facility at the end of last year to check on the seniors and listen to their difficulties.

Songpa-gu Establishes Rapid Support Measures at Cold Wave Shelters for Elderly Facing Heating Cost Crisis ▲Additional Heating Cost Support Decided for a Total of 66 Senior Centers Including Public and Housing-Type Private Senior Centers... Existing Heating Cost Support of 370,000 KRW Plus Additional 150,000 KRW Provided for 3 Months

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) announced that it will urgently support heating costs at 66 senior centers in the district.

Mayor Seo Gang-seok explained, “Many vulnerable groups are facing greater difficulties due to the ‘heating cost bomb’ caused by gas price hikes amid a cold wave exceeding minus 10℃ this winter,” adding, “We have decided to focus heating cost support on local senior centers, which serve as cold wave shelters for about 3,000 elderly people who might otherwise be neglected.”

The emergency support targets a total of 66 senior centers, including public and housing-type private senior centers. An additional maximum of 150,000 KRW per month will be provided on top of the existing heating cost support of 370,000 KRW, with a maximum of 520,000 KRW per month supported for the three winter months (January to March).

In particular, 45 public senior centers among them also function as cold wave shelters for vulnerable groups as part of Songpa-gu’s comprehensive winter cold wave countermeasures, making heating cost support urgently needed.

Accordingly, considering the inflation rate, the district planned a 15% increase in the maximum heating cost support for 2023 compared to the previous year. However, due to consecutive record-breaking cold waves and soaring heating costs, additional support was decided to minimize the increased burden on elderly users of the senior centers.

Mayor Seo Gang-seok of Songpa-gu said, “Senior centers serve not only as leisure facilities for the elderly but also as cold wave shelters protecting the safety of vulnerable groups. Therefore, we decided on proactive support so that elderly users can spend a warm winter,” and added, “We will continue to carefully monitor and support basic livelihood security recipients and elderly living alone to ensure they do not face difficulties.”

Meanwhile, since this year, Songpa-gu has been mobilizing administrative power to realize welfare in Songpa by supporting low-income elderly living alone with a living allowance of 70,000 KRW each and focusing on socially disadvantaged and marginalized groups.

Eunpyeong-gu Expands ‘I-Mom Taxi’ for Pregnant Women and Infants

Destinations Expanded to Daycare Centers, Libraries, Cultural Centers... ‘Hospital Accompaniment Service’ to Begin in February Providing Childcare During Hospital Visits

Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) announced that it will expand the transportation service ‘I-Mom Taxi’ for pregnant women and families with infants.

‘I-Mom Taxi’ is a dedicated taxi service available to households with pregnant women and infants. It was first implemented nationwide by Eunpyeong-gu in 2020 to address the serious low birthrate issue.

This year, with the service expansion, destinations will increase to include daycare centers, libraries, and cultural centers within the district after 2 p.m., in addition to medical visits to hospitals. Previously, only hospital visits for medical purposes were allowed.

Starting in February, a ‘Hospital Accompaniment Service’ will be launched for I-Mom Taxi users. Linked with senior citizen job projects, this service provides childcare and assistance with boarding and alighting from the taxi during hospital visits. Reservations must be made at least 1 to 3 days in advance, and the service is available on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

To use the service, users must install the dedicated smartphone app ‘I-Mom Taxi,’ register as members, and make advance reservations. Eligible users are pregnant women or households with infants under 24 months old (born from January 2021) residing in Eunpyeong-gu. Eligible users are provided with 10 ride vouchers annually.

As of January 2023, the number of I-Mom Taxi members reached 5,688, with 26,570 rides operated. A satisfaction survey conducted last year showed that 94.6% of users were satisfied, maintaining over 90% satisfaction for three consecutive years since the service began.

One user commented in a review, “I-Mom Taxi is the best welfare service in Eunpyeong-gu, and I feel proud to be an Eunpyeong resident.” Another said, “Pregnant friends living in other districts envy this service.”

The district ensures quality service by assigning dedicated drivers, operating large vans that can accommodate large strollers, and equipping vehicles with car seats and air purifiers. Daily vehicle interior disinfection is mandatory, and safety and quarantine are strictly managed.

Mayor Kim Mi-kyung of Eunpyeong-gu said, “We will continue to improve the I-Mom Taxi service to resolve user inconveniences and enhance mobility convenience,” adding, “We will lead efforts to make Eunpyeong a happy place to give birth and raise children.”

Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, Holds Donation Ceremony for Haepumjang Palpal Jangeo (Eel Soup Meal Kit)

Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, held a donation ceremony for Haepumjang Palpal Jangeo products (eel soup meal kits) at the mayor’s office at 2:30 p.m. on the 25th.

On this day, Yoo Seung-jin, CEO of Haepumjang Palpal Jangeo, donated 500 eel soup meal kits worth approximately 5.5 million KRW, hoping to help neighbors in need. He also pledged to regularly donate goods every month to elderly living alone and low-income seniors in the district.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok of Nowon-gu expressed gratitude, saying, “I thank CEO Yoo Seung-jin of Haepumjang Palpal Jangeo for always taking the lead in helping neighbors in need,” and added, “We will deliver these donations to those who need assistance.”

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