President Lee Visits Donuidong Shantytown to Inspect Heatwave Measures: "We Must Ensure No One Is Left Without Support"

Field Visit Follows Cabinet Directive to Support Heatwave-Vulnerable Groups
Checking Air Conditioner Installation, Rent, and Welfare Eligibility

On May 21, President Lee Jae-myung visited the Donuidong shantytown in Seoul to inspect the status of support measures for vulnerable groups in preparation for concentrated heavy rain and heatwaves during the summer season. This visit followed his directive at the previous day's Cabinet meeting, where he instructed officials to conduct on-site inspections and prepare support measures for those vulnerable to heatwaves, including shantytown residents, elderly people living alone, and outdoor workers.

President Lee Jae-myung is greeting residents during his visit to the Donuidong Shantytown in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 21st. (Photo by Blue House) Yonhap News

Kang Yoo-jung, Chief Presidential Spokesperson, announced in a written briefing that President Lee had visited the Donuidong shantytown that afternoon to listen to the opinions of officials and residents.

President Lee first met with staff from the shantytown counseling center to express his gratitude for their efforts to ensure the safety and support of the residents. He then toured spaces left vacant for demolition and suggested that they be used as communal rest areas for residents.

President Lee also carefully checked the status of air conditioning installations on site. After seeing an air conditioner mounted on the exterior wall of a building, he confirmed the current status of cooling equipment installation with the counseling center director who accompanied him. When a resident voiced concerns about the difficulty of enduring the summer without an air conditioner, President Lee asked the officials about possible support measures.

As he walked through the alleys, President Lee personally asked each resident he encountered if they had any inconveniences, if there was anything they needed, or if they were in good health. The residents responded warmly, saying, "This is the first time a president has come since this neighborhood was established," and "Thank you for coming all the way here." President Lee returned their greetings with handshakes and hugs.

President Lee also visited the room of one resident to ask whether they had received the basic livelihood support grant. He inquired about the monthly rent, and when the resident answered that it was around 300,000 won, he responded by asking whether that was not too expensive. When a counseling center staff member explained that rents tend to be set in line with the level of housing benefits, President Lee reportedly expressed concern.

In another resident's home, President Lee noticed a painting on the wall and asked who had drawn it. Upon learning that the resident had painted it themselves, he remarked, "You did a wonderful job." President Lee also paid close attention to the residents' health conditions and the difficulties they face in their daily lives.

President Lee instructed his staff to check for any welfare blind spots. He spent a long time talking with an elderly woman who was alone in her room, asking how she spent her days and about her life history. He then asked if she was receiving basic livelihood security benefits, and when the woman replied that she was not a recipient because she has a daughter, President Lee told his aides that he understood support for dependents and benefit recipients had become unrelated and instructed them to look into her situation for follow-up action.

President Lee Jae-myung visited the Donui-dong shantytown in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 21st to check the status of preparations for the summer heavy rains and heat waves. (Photo by Blue House) Yonhap News

Even while moving between locations, President Lee repeatedly asked, "Is cleaning and management being properly carried out?" and "Are there any areas that require more attention?" as he checked the situation on the ground. He responded to the warm welcome of residents waiting at the end of the street and agreed to photo requests. When he met a resident waiting with a copy of his book, President Lee approached, asked for their name, and signed it personally.

As President Lee was leaving after finishing his schedule, he responded, "The mothers must stay healthy." According to Chief Spokesperson Kang, President Lee spent about an hour touring various parts of the shantytown, exchanging final greetings with residents waiting by his vehicle before concluding his visit.

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