Geumcheon-gu Provides 2.5 Billion KRW Loan Support from Small and Medium Business Development Fund

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Seong-hoon) announced that it will support a total of 2.57 billion KRW in the second half of the year through the Small and Medium Business Development Fund to alleviate financial difficulties faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggling due to the spread of COVID-19.

The support targets SMEs with their main office or business site in Geumcheon-gu, including manufacturing, knowledge industries, information and communication industries, and social economy enterprises. However, companies that have received support within the last five years are excluded.

Each company can receive up to 100 million KRW, with a loan interest rate of 1.5% per annum and repayment conditions of a one-year grace period followed by three years of equal installments (four times a year).

Companies wishing to apply for loans should refer to the ‘Notices and Announcements’ board on the district website by September 10, consult in advance with the designated bank representative, and then visit the 11th floor Regional Economy Division of Geumcheon-gu Office to apply.

Loan applications will be reviewed by the Small and Medium Business Development Fund Operation Deliberation Committee to decide final support eligibility. The development funds will be directly provided to selected companies after assessing their repayment ability at the Woori Bank Geumcheon-gu Branch.

Yoo Seong-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, said, “This loan support is an additional recruitment following the first half of the year to help more SMEs receive loan support and overcome financial difficulties,” adding, “We will continue to implement various policies to stabilize management of local SMEs and revitalize the local economy.”

For more details, inquiries can be made to the Regional Economy Division of Geumcheon-gu Office.

Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol) has prepared a supplementary budget proposal of 46 billion KRW for the second supplementary budget of 2021 and submitted it to the district council on the 24th. This supplementary budget focuses on stabilizing people's livelihoods, revitalizing the local economy, and supporting vulnerable groups.

The supplementary budget was prepared by mobilizing available resources through Seoul city’s adjustment grants settlement, national and city subsidies, and expenditure restructuring. It allocates 14.6 billion KRW to revitalize the local economy affected by the ongoing COVID-19, 15.3 billion KRW to support socially vulnerable groups, and 6.4 billion KRW to repair facilities and resolve inconveniences for residents.

To recover the depressed local economy, the budget includes ▲8.2 billion KRW for COVID-19 national coexistence support funds ▲5 billion KRW for the Small and Medium Business Development Fund related to small business support ▲1.024 billion KRW for the Hope Job Project ▲200 million KRW for additional issuance costs of Dongdaemun-gu Love Gift Certificates worth 10 billion KRW.

For vulnerable groups in blind spots, the budget includes ▲9.6 billion KRW for living support expenses ▲952 million KRW for emergency welfare support ▲1.495 billion KRW for housing and livelihood benefits for basic livelihood recipients ▲100 million KRW for learning smart devices for low-income groups ▲3.2 billion KRW for facilities providing convenience for the disabled.

To ensure residents’ safety and resolve inconveniences, the budget includes ▲1 billion KRW for LED security light installation ▲1.051 billion KRW for maintenance of roads and sidewalks within the district ▲2.02 billion KRW for maintenance of river facilities such as Jungnangcheon within the district ▲538 million KRW for installing heated seats at bus stops.

Additionally, for stable financial management of Dongdaemun-gu, the budget includes ▲3 billion KRW for transfer to the Integrated Financial Stabilization Fund ▲5 billion KRW for transfer to the special account for parking lot to alleviate parking shortages within the district.

Yoo Deok-yeol, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, said, “This supplementary budget focuses on revitalizing the local economy depressed by the ongoing COVID-19 situation and establishing a social safety net for vulnerable groups,” adding, “We will proactively discover and introduce policies that the district can implement to make Dongdaemun-gu a better place to live.”

Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Gyeom-su) is creating flower paths that bloom all four seasons along major roads and sidewalks with heavy traffic.

The flower path project includes various species such as ‘Lupinus,’ known for its rich volume and vibrant colors; ‘Geranium,’ ideal for ornamental use throughout the year due to its prolific blooming; and ‘Wave Petunia,’ which has a long blooming period until November. Target areas include Ui 1-gyo Bridge, around the district office, Suyu intersection, and the Dobong-ro area. Hanging flower pots and square and round pots will be installed on street lamps and railings.

The district plans to plant flowers and pots that suit all seasons harmoniously with surrounding structures to create a three-dimensional landscape. The local garden project, which creates flower beds under street trees or in idle spaces, is also ongoing. This project operates by residents planting and nurturing seasonal flowers, crops, and trees themselves.

Earlier, the district planted about 16,000 flowers such as King Narcissus, poppies, and violas across the area for spring and summer. Additionally, 827 hanging pots of Wave Petunia (37,000 flowers) were placed. The targeted sections include Dobong-ro (3.5 km), Samyang-ro (14.6 km), and Solsaem-ro (2 km), covering main roads, leftover green spaces, and local gardens within the district.

Park Gyeom-su, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, “I hope the beautiful flowers placed throughout the streets will bring comfort to hearts tired from COVID-19,” adding, “We will plant seasonal plants full of floral scents to create a fragrant and pleasant street environment.”

Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) is publicly recruiting 35 members for the ‘3rd Seodaemun Cooperation Council’ by September 7 to deliberate and coordinate matters for activating public-private cooperation.

The Seodaemun Cooperation Council is established based on the ‘Basic Ordinance for Activating Public-Private Cooperation in Seodaemun-gu’ and serves as a body where the public and private sectors jointly decide, execute, and evaluate policies to solve community issues.

Council members must participate in subcommittee meetings or working group activities at least once a month. The term is two years, with the possibility of two reappointments.

Regular meetings are held four times a year, and extraordinary meetings can be convened upon the request of one-third or more of the members.

Applicants must be Seodaemun-gu residents or those active in Seodaemun-gu for work or study, with experience in cooperation or willingness and plans to engage in cooperative activities.

Cooperation areas include education, community, local welfare, resident autonomy, social economy, volunteering, urban regeneration, resident participatory budgeting, multiculturalism, and youth.

Applicants can download the form from the Seodaemun-gu website’s notices and announcements, fill it out, and submit it via email (ccobugi01@sdm.go.kr) or visit the Public-Private Cooperation Division on the 6th floor of the 3rd annex building of Seodaemun-gu Office.

The district will conduct document screening considering expertise and announce the selection results on the 24th of next month, with appointments scheduled for mid-October. Mayor Moon Seok-jin said, “We look forward to many residents contributing ideas and creativity to the Seodaemun Cooperation Council for regional development.”

Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi) announced on the 24th that the Myeonmok Line urban railway (light rail) has been selected as a preliminary feasibility study project at the 5th Fiscal Project Evaluation Committee held by the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

This means the Myeonmok Line urban railway project, which the district has thoroughly investigated development status and additional transportation demand over the past two years and repeatedly requested the central government with the cooperation of local lawmakers, will gain momentum.

The Myeonmok Line urban railway connecting Sinnae-dong, Myeonmok-dong, and Cheongnyangni in Dongdaemun-gu is a 9.05 km line with 12 stations, operating one-way in 22 minutes. Once opened, it is expected to improve urban accessibility for residents of Myeonmok-dong and Sinnae-dong.

The Myeonmok Line project was converted from a private investment project to a public project by Seoul City in February 2019 and received approval for the urban railway network plan from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in November last year.

With a total project cost of 993.6 billion KRW, the Myeonmok Line urban railway is essential infrastructure to proactively respond to increasing transportation demand due to the completion of Yangwon District in Sinnae-dong and Mangwoo-dong and redevelopment projects in Myeonmok-dong.

Ryu Gyeong-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said, “The Myeonmok Line urban railway project is a long-awaited project for local residents and will contribute to balanced regional development by connecting subway lines 6 and 7 and the Gyeongchun Line,” adding, “We will closely cooperate with Seoul City and related agencies to ensure passing the preliminary feasibility study.” The Ministry of Economy and Finance will select the investigation agency and form a professional research team to start the preliminary feasibility study in October.

Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) won the Excellence Award at the ‘2021 Excellent Administration and Policy Case Presentation Contest’ with the theme ‘Seongbuk Village Archive, a repository of residents’ lives and urban records.’

The Korea Public Policy Evaluation Association and the Korean Governance Society have been discovering excellent cases in administration and policy sectors since 2013 to strengthen competitiveness in the public sector and contribute to national development through mutual information sharing and exchange. They select and announce excellent cases from central government ministries, local governments, and public institutions through a judging committee composed of academics and practitioners.

‘Seongbuk Village Archive’ collects records related to Seongbuk’s history, cultural resources, and residents’ lives, stores them in a digital archive system, and provides a website where anyone can easily access Seongbuk’s village records. It is an interactive knowledge platform where residents actively participate in discovering village records and producing historical and cultural content.

In January 2020, the district established the first digital archive among all autonomous districts nationwide and currently stores and provides about 7,000 digital village records through the website.

The digital village records include photos, videos, publications, oral histories, and more. The district operates programs tailored to local characteristics, such as sections on independence movements and literary content in Seongbuk. Additionally, in December 2020, Seongbuk-gu enacted the first ordinance in Seoul regarding the collection and management of private records, institutionalizing the previously unregulated collection of private records and clarifying definitions, collection methods, and procedures to establish a systematic foundation.

Seongbuk Village Archive has been highly evaluated for realizing record democracy and governance by enabling residents to actively participate as record subjects through resident record group activities, capturing stories that administrative domains could not grasp, and recording their own history with their own hands.

Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, said, “We will continue to explore Seongbuk’s unique identity, collect and preserve traces of residents’ activities and daily lives that may easily disappear over time as valuable records, and play a leading role in developing record culture in the era of local autonomy so that residents can feel pride.”

Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) has expanded charging infrastructure to promote the use of electric vehicles and enhance user convenience.

Although interest in electric vehicles has been increasing due to policies promoting eco-friendly vehicles and rising environmental awareness among citizens, charging infrastructure remains insufficient, causing inconvenience for electric vehicle users.

Accordingly, the district installed an additional electric vehicle concentrated charging station and one rapid charger this month and began full-scale operation. The project budget was secured with 200 million KRW of city funds selected through the ‘2020 Seoul-type Concentrated Charging Station Construction Project’ contest.

First, at ‘Deungnamu Public Parking Lot (508-1 Junggye-dong),’ a concentrated charging station with more than five rapid chargers was installed, allowing multiple vehicles to charge simultaneously. This location is adjacent to the Nowon-gu Citizens’ Hall (former Nowon-gu Citizens’ Center), shopping centers, the Buk Seoul Museum of Art, and two neighborhood parks, making it suitable for high utilization by residents.

The district created five electric vehicle-only parking spaces here and installed two 100kW rapid chargers and one 50kW rapid charger. Notably, two 100kW chargers with improved performance compared to 50kW chargers were installed.

One rapid charger was installed at the ‘Nowon Eco Center Parking Lot (46 Deokneung-ro).’ The Nowon Eco Center is a representative environmental education facility in the district, located near Madeul Sports Town, which is frequently used by residents.

The district explained that it selected locations with high demand and convenient access to maximize the effect of expanding rapid chargers and building concentrated charging stations.

With this additional installation, the district now operates a total of 38 rapid chargers at 14 locations. These rapid charging stations are available 24 hours a day for all residents, and charging from full depletion takes about 30 to 40 minutes, greatly enhancing user convenience.

Additionally, to promote electric vehicle use, the district amended the ‘Nowon-gu Parking Lot Installation and Management Ordinance’ in 2017 to exempt parking fees within one hour during electric vehicle charging. Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “To promote eco-friendly vehicle use, it is urgent to establish related infrastructure to eliminate user inconvenience,” adding, “We will continue to implement incentive policies that electric vehicle users can feel, including installing charging stations.”

Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Seon-gap) is promoting the ‘Smart Talk to Get Smarter’ program, a non-face-to-face cognitive learning support program using ‘KakaoTalk’ to prevent dementia among seniors aged 60 and over.

Previously, only seniors diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment through early dementia screening were eligible, but from this year, any senior aged 60 or older interested in dementia prevention can use the program free of charge.

On weekdays (Monday to Friday) at 10 a.m., various cognitive domain problems such as attention, calculation, perception, language, and reasoning are delivered via notification messages. Seniors check and submit answers, and outstanding participants are selected quarterly to receive materials and tools for dementia prevention.

Participation is easy by adding the KakaoTalk channel ‘Gwangjin-gu Dementia Safety Center’ as a friend using the friend search function or by scanning the QR code for registration with a smartphone.

Kim Seon-gap, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, said, “We will spare no support from dementia prevention to treatment to improve the quality of life for seniors and their families,” adding, “We will continue to develop and provide various programs tailored to seniors’ needs.”

Dongjak-gu (Mayor Lee Chang-woo) will install eight boarding platforms at city bus stops to provide residents with safe and comfortable public transportation use.

Currently, there are 117 street-side city bus stops in the district, with 63 having boarding platforms installed.

As part of the street-side bus stop environment improvement project, the district will carry out construction at eight locations by October to resolve inconveniences at stops without boarding platforms or with outdated ones, completing a total of 70 city bus stop boarding platforms.

Bus stops without boarding platforms caused inconvenience during summer heavy rain or heatwaves due to lack of waiting space. Therefore, the district prioritized locations with many requests for boarding platform installation.

Based on on-site surveys, locations without traffic inconvenience and suitable installation environments were selected, including seven new installations at Hangang Hyundai Apartments in Heukseok-dong, Daerim Elementary School, in front of Daeshin Credit Union in Sadang-dong, and the rear gate of Sangdo 3rd Samsung Raemian. One stop with a deteriorated boarding platform (Jangseungbaegi Station) will have its platform replaced due to urban aesthetics concerns.

The district plans to continuously identify new and replacement sites for boarding platforms to resolve complaints related to the inconvenience of city bus use due to lack of platforms and will conduct extensive facility inspections and management in the second half of the year.

Lee Hyun-jae, Director of the Transportation Administration Division, said, “We have worked to provide a more comfortable and pleasant environment for residents using public transportation,” adding, “We will actively resolve inconveniences to ensure pedestrian safety and traffic convenience for residents.”

Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Noh Hyun-song) is collaborating with social enterprises and resident organizations to use digital technology to address energy blind spots.

The district has been selected for the ‘2021 Resident Participation and Digital-Based Local Community Field Problem Solving Project’ organized by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and is launching the ‘Energy Consumption Environment Improvement Project for Vulnerable Groups in Low-rise Residential Areas Using Power Data’ this month.

This project targets low-rise residential areas in the Gonghang-dong urban regeneration zone, building a village energy management system using power data to improve the energy consumption environment for vulnerable groups.

Power consumption information of participating vulnerable groups is received from Korea Electric Power Corporation and provided in real-time via a smartphone app service to guide usage and promote efficient power use.

The app informs users about peak power consumption times, months with increased consumption, and identifies waste factors to help reduce power consumption.

For digitally marginalized groups such as the elderly who find smartphone apps difficult, a customized information delivery system via phone calls, text messages, and visits is established.

Additionally, the project recruits general residents and stores to participate, enabling them to donate saved electricity during peak power times to vulnerable groups.

The project aims to present a new business model where energy savings lead to energy welfare.

The project is jointly promoted by Gangseo-gu Office, ToFather Co., Ltd., Gonghang-dong Urban Regeneration Field Support Center, and Gonghang-dong Resident Center. The Smart City Division of the district office coordinates the project, while the Urban Regeneration Field Support Center and Resident Center recruit vulnerable and general residents and stores. The social enterprise ToFather Co., Ltd. builds and operates the village power database and energy management system.

Energy Economics Institute and Korea Energy Agency, with extensive research on energy-vulnerable groups, participate as advisors to promptly address issues arising during project implementation.

This project is expected to become a new regional innovation model by providing resident-tailored services to solve local energy problems through cooperation among residents, urban regeneration centers, companies, and local governments.

Gangnam-gu (Mayor Jung Soon-gyun) is recruiting second-round applicants for employment incentives, providing 500,000 KRW per unemployed youth to stabilize their livelihoods, starting September 1.

This second support project is an additional opportunity for young job seekers who missed the first recruitment, accepting applications throughout September.

Eligible applicants are unemployed youths aged 19 to 34 residing in Gangnam-gu according to resident registration, who graduated within two years from their last school. Those graduating in August this year or within two years after military service, who were not eligible in the first round, can also apply.

However, those receiving unemployment benefits or who participated in the 2020 Youth Job-Seeking Activity Support Fund or the 2021 National Employment Support System (Type 1) are excluded.

Applications can be made online via the Seoul Youth Portal, and after screening, support funds will be provided as mobile Gangnam Love Gift Certificates in mid-October.

For more details, contact the Job Policy Division of Gangnam-gu Office or refer to the Gangnam-gu website.

Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Kim Soo-young) announced on the 24th that the ‘Mokdong Line (Sinwol?Dangsan)’ and the ‘Gangbuk Transversal Line (Mokdong?Cheongnyangni) Light Rail Transit Project’ passing through Deungchon-ro (Mok 3, 4-dong) have been selected as preliminary feasibility study projects in the second round of 2021 by the 5th Fiscal Project Evaluation Committee of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

The Mokdong Line light rail project was originally proposed by Yangcheon-gu to Seoul City in 2005 and included twice in the ‘Seoul 10-Year Urban Railway Basic Plan’ in 2008 and 2015, confirmed and announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. However, as the project was initially planned as a private investment project, progress was delayed due to lack of private sector proposals amid construction market downturns.

During the 6th local government term, the district established a policy for urban railway projects, persistently requested Seoul City, the competent authority, to convert the Mokdong Line to a public project, fully underground it, and start early construction. As a result, the ‘2nd Seoul Urban Railway Network Plan’ was finally approved and announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in November 2020.

Also, the ‘Gangbuk Transversal Line (Mokdong?Cheongnyangni),’ newly included in the 2nd Seoul Urban Railway Network Plan and selected for the preliminary feasibility study, runs from Mokdong Station via Deungchon-ro to Cheongnyangni. It is expected to greatly improve railway transportation services in Mok 3-dong and Mok 4-dong (Deungchon-ro) and alleviate public transportation blind spots.

The selected second-round preliminary feasibility study projects (Gangbuk Transversal Line, Mokdong Line, Myeonmok Line, Nangok Line) will proceed with pre-procedures such as selecting investigation agencies (KDI, Josewon) and forming expert research teams before starting the study.

Yangcheon-gu plans to continuously consult with Seoul City, investigation agencies (KDI, etc.), and related organizations to ensure smooth progress of the light rail projects once the investigation agencies are selected and the study begins.

Kim Soo-young, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, said, “We are pleased that the Mokdong Line and Gangbuk Transversal Line have been selected for the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s preliminary feasibility study,” adding, “We will closely cooperate with Seoul City and related agencies to pass the study and improve public transportation blind spots and traffic conditions in the region, promoting balanced regional development.”

Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon) will hold the ‘Gangdong Residents’ Policy Proposal TokTok Square’ from September 6 to 16, where residents propose and create policies.

The ‘Gangdong Residents’ Policy Proposal TokTok Square’ is part of the ‘2040 Gangdong Vision Policy Research’ to establish mid- to long-term development strategies for Gangdong-gu. It aims to gather residents’ opinions and create policy visions by field such as environment, urban planning, welfare, and transportation.

Through this forum, the district plans to investigate policy demands that residents feel necessary, inconvenient, or need improvement in daily life and reflect them in the ‘2040 Gangdong Vision Policy Research.’

The forum will be held four times by region from September 6 to 16, conducted online for two hours from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. to allow many residents to participate.

There is no limit on the number of participants, but participation links will be provided only to those who apply in advance by September 3.

Advance registration can be done on the TokTok Square website. Those unable to attend the forum can leave policy proposal opinions on the website, and after the forum, the proposed policies will be available for review on the site.

Lee Jeong-hoon, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, said, “The ‘Gangdong Residents’ Policy Proposal TokTok Square’ will share regional improvement points and necessary policies and discuss mid- to long-term development plans with residents,” adding, “We hope many residents participate to present policies and visions that everyone can agree on.”

Gwanak-gu and Seoul National University are recruiting students for the second session of the ‘Seoul National University Museum Modern Art and Culture Online Course’ opening in September.

The Modern Art and Culture Course is a collaborative academic and administrative project between the district and Seoul National University, providing differentiated, high-quality art and culture education to enhance residents’ understanding of culture and arts, improve quality of life, and support self-realization.

This course’s theme is ‘Asian Art History’ and consists of 12 lectures covering topics such as ▲Modern and contemporary Asian history and art ▲Cultural Revolution and New Chinese art ▲Changes in Chinese contemporary art due to reform and opening policies ▲Influence of 21st-century Chinese art ▲Postwar Japanese art ▲Subculture and contemporary Japanese art ▲Contemporary art in Thailand and Singapore ▲Contemporary art in Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia ▲Contemporary art in Indonesia and the Philippines ▲Reasons to pay attention to Indian contemporary art ▲Asian contemporary art market ▲Glocalism and new horizons of contemporary art.

Seoul National University professors and experts will participate as lecturers, and considering COVID-19, the course will be conducted through online video lectures.

The course runs from September 2 to November 18, every Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., accessible live via the Seoul National University Central Library website.

The tuition fee is 20,000 KRW, and anyone aged 20 or older can apply through the Seoul National University Museum website. Enrollment is limited to 130 people on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, contact the Seoul National University Museum.

Jongno-gu (Mayor Kim Young-jong) is operating various reading and cultural programs for local residents to welcome the season of abundant harvests and clear skies.

The ‘Jongno-gu Public Library Reading Month Event,’ held throughout September, is planned under the theme ‘Enjoying Our Family Library 100 Times More’ to provide residents with the joy and fun of reading.

Programs for the whole family include ▲Innovative Book Organization ▲Meetings with authors Kang Won-im and Tak Kyung-eun ▲Children’s Reading Coaching ▲Book Art Workshop ▲Family Reading Discussions through Books ▲Parent Reading Discussion Education, conducted both online and offline.

First, ‘Innovative Book Organization,’ presented via the Jongno Cultural Foundation’s YouTube channel, introduces various book organization methods along with ‘Book+Interior’ ideas for decorating bookshelves. It offers a meaningful experience to review one’s reading habits while organizing owned books.

‘Meet the Author’ sessions with Kang Won-im, author of ‘Mom’s Book Club,’ and Tak Kyung-eun, author of ‘Running High,’ will be held at Areumkkum Library and the Children and Youth National Studies Library, respectively. They will share stories of self-exploration and growth through book clubs and the journey of two girls who started running to find their true selves.

Additionally, 20 families with elementary school children will receive expert reading education in ‘Family Reading Discussions through Books,’ and a ‘Parent Special Lecture’ will offer tips for wise reading during prolonged COVID-19. These diverse programs provide excellent opportunities for families to grow closer through books.

For detailed information on the Reading Month programs, refer to the Jongno Public Library and Jongno Cultural Foundation websites. Schedules may change or be canceled depending on COVID-19 developments.

In July 2020, Jongno-gu expanded e-books and electronic library services to support residents facing difficulties using libraries due to COVID-19. As of August 2021, the district holds 12,485 e-book titles and selects recommended books monthly to enable residents to enjoy reading anytime and anywhere without visiting libraries.

Mayor Kim Young-jong said, “We hope residents exhausted by ongoing social distancing will participate in the Reading Month programs to share the joy of reading and take a brief rest,” adding, “We will strive to create a reading-friendly Jongno where everyone can enjoy cultural life and happiness close to home.”

Guro-gu (Mayor Lee Seong) operates a free architectural consultation office with professional architects.

Guro-gu stated on the 25th, “Many residents struggle because there is no proper place to consult on specialized fields such as architecture,” adding, “Therefore, we established a free architectural consultation office to help residents understand architecture and guide solutions to various architectural issues.”

The free architectural consultation starts on the 31st of this month and operates every Tuesday and Thursday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., subject to change depending on COVID-19 levels.

Any Guro-gu resident can receive free consultation by visiting the Architecture Division’s consultation office on the 2nd floor of the main building of Guro-gu Office. For more details, contact the Architecture Division.

Guro-gu appointed 12 architects recommended by the Guro Architects Association, who have academic knowledge and diverse experience. These professional architects will provide comprehensive consultation services through one-on-one sessions with residents.

The consultation covers all architectural matters, including administrative procedures and related laws for permit applications, consultations on architectural activities (new construction, extension, change of use, design, construction costs), damage caused by construction sites, and solutions to architectural disputes and complaints.

Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) held the youth communication project ‘WHO A U’ (Who Are You) event at the Seoul Youth Center Eunpyeong Orang on the 23rd.

‘WHO A U’ was planned to communicate the concerns and thoughts of young people struggling with the prolonged COVID-19 situation through online content, fostering dialogue between the district and youth. The main content involved an anonymous KakaoTalk chat room where four young people and the Eunpyeong-gu mayor discussed common topics, and the youth tried to guess who the mayor was.

Mayor Kim Mi-kyung and four youth representatives (university students, office workers, self-employed, etc.) set nicknames and entered the open chat room, sharing and communicating various opinions on youth issues and policies. Their honest conversations are expected to resonate and comfort many young people.

One participant said, “It was amazing to communicate with the mayor, who usually seemed difficult to approach, through chat and even meet to discuss job concerns,” adding, “I hope there will be more opportunities for youth and administrative leaders to meet.”

Mayor Kim Mi-kyung said, “Communicating anonymously with young people today provided a real opportunity to empathize with their thoughts on difficulties such as employment and housing,” adding, “Despite tough times, I hope young people stay strong. Eunpyeong-gu will continue to create communication spaces to address practical issues faced by youth.”

The event video will be available from the 31st on Eunpyeong-gu’s promotional channels (Eunpyeongin Media, etc.) and the Seoul Youth Center Eunpyeong Orang blog.

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