Vouchers for 80,000 Citizens with Obesity to Use Sports Facilities... Oh Se-hoon: "Obesity Is a Public Issue"

Announcement of Measures to Reduce Obesity Rates Among Seoul Citizens

Improving Eating Habits... Expanding Fitness Networks Across the City

Voucher Support... Real-Time Monitoring of Key Health Indicators

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will provide vouchers worth 50,000 won each to 80,000 citizens with severe obesity, which can be used at any public or private sports facility. In particular, the city will upgrade its health management platform, Sonmok Doctor 9988, to offer AI-powered personalized health management prescriptions.

On the morning of April 20, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced the “2026 Seoul, Escape from Obesity Declaration” policy at Yeouinaru Station Runner’s Station, focusing on three key areas and six projects: improving eating habits, improving lifestyle habits, and supporting daily obesity management.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is holding the 'On-site Presentation on Measures to Reduce the Obesity Rate Among Seoul Citizens' at Yeouinaru Station Runner's Station in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the 20th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

To improve eating habits, the city will expand its flagship healthy diet program, “Tongkwaehan Han-ggi.” This project increases and promotes restaurants where diners can choose multi-grain rice instead of white rice. The number of participating restaurants, currently around 3,000, will be increased to 10,000 by the end of this year.

The “Less Sweet Project,” previously focused on elementary students, will be expanded as “Less Sweet 2050.” This is a practical, low-sugar campaign involving 3,000 citizens in their 20s to 50s. Activities include meal logging through the Sonmok Doctor 9988 app and AI nutrition counseling.

To improve lifestyle habits, the number of “Seoul Fitness Zones” will be expanded from the current 19 to 56 by the end of the year. The goal is to build a fitness network accessible to all, close to workplaces and homes. Specifically, citizens with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher—classified as obese or overweight—will be offered a six-month intensive management program, the “Special Fitness Care Package,” in connection with metabolic syndrome clinics at local health centers.

Exercise programs will run at different times of day, including “Morning Coffee Run,” “Relaxed Morning” in the morning, and “7979 Seoul Running Crew” and “Exercise at Seoul Plaza” in the evening. Fitness-themed “Fun Stations,” such as the one at Yeouinaru Station Runner’s Station, will be increased to 18 locations. Fun Stations will be established at subway stations including Mongchontoseong, Sinmokdong, Achasan, Junggye, Munjeong, and City Hall. The number of outdoor park golf courses will be expanded to 36, and indoor courses to 67. School sports facilities will be made available at up to 502 locations.

The city will also newly establish the “Hangang Bike Hub,” a base area for Han River bicycle users, providing rest and maintenance space for riders at sites connected to Jamsil and Ttukseom Hangang Bus Piers.

For daily obesity management support, Sonmok Doctor 9988 will also be expanded. Up to 80,000 citizens who are found to have severe obesity (BMI of 30 or higher) from Seoul Fitness Zone or health center tests will receive a mobile voucher worth up to 50,000 won each, usable at public and private sports facilities. A new health mode will be introduced in the Sonmok Doctor 9988 app, allowing users to check key health indicators related to obesity, such as weight, body fat, and BMI, at any time.

Mayor Oh stated, “Obesity is a core issue directly linked to healthy life expectancy, quality of life, and city competitiveness, and it can no longer be left solely to individual willpower—it is a public matter. Now is the time to take a step further and create a city where all citizens can easily practice healthy eating and naturally exercise close to home, ensuring an equal starting line for health.”

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