Why Did Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, Go on a 'Heat Hunt'?

Cooling Cost Support of 50,000 KRW per Household for Vulnerable Groups, Approximately 10,000 Households in Mapo-gu Expected to Benefit

Thorough Management of Heatwave Evacuation Facilities, ‘Safe Lodging’, ‘Heatwave Shelters’, and ‘Mapo Geuneulnaru’

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo District, visited a senior center in Jung-dong on the 15th to inspect the facilities.

Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su) is stepping up preparations for the heatwave this summer to protect vulnerable groups and residents.

First, the district will provide special cooling cost support to vulnerable groups facing the dual hardships of record-breaking heatwave forecasts and rising energy prices.

This project, funded by city funds, will provide 50,000 KRW per household once to recipients of the National Basic Livelihood Security and near-poverty groups residing in Mapo-gu as of June 30, without requiring a separate application.

Approximately 10,000 vulnerable households in the area are expected to benefit from this cooling cost support, and the district plans to finalize the list of recipients and complete payments around July 20.

Additionally, to protect elderly people vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, up to 10 rooms per day at H Avenue Hotel (152 Sinchon-ro) are being provided as heatwave shelter safe lodgings until the end of August.

Safe lodgings can be used free of charge during heatwave warnings, with one room per household as a principle, and accommodation is allowed for up to two people per household.

Applications can be made by visiting or calling the local community service center of the applicant’s address, and eligibility is determined comprehensively by the community center based on the applicant’s living environment, underlying diseases, and age.

Furthermore, the district operates heatwave shelters (general shelters and extended shelters) throughout the area until September 30.

Heatwave shelters, open to anyone from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, include 16 community service centers, 3 senior welfare centers, and 158 senior centers (with some variation in operating hours), totaling 177 locations. During heatwave warnings, 17 senior centers are designated as extended shelters and operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays as well.

Moreover, the district has launched the operation of ‘Mapo Geuneulnaru’, shade shelters to avoid the scorching sun, and will focus on safety management through the end of the year.

Currently, shade shelters are installed at 67 locations with heavy pedestrian traffic, such as crosswalks and traffic islands. Each neighborhood conducts inspections of the shade shelters at least once a week, and any malfunctions, damages, or hazardous situations are promptly reported to the relevant departments for repair.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, stated, “Natural disasters like heatwaves are especially dangerous for vulnerable groups, so community interest and support are urgently needed.” He added, “We will thoroughly manage heatwave preparedness facilities and actively promote heatwave safety guidelines to ensure all residents have a safe summer.”

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