Comprehensive summer heat measures to run through late September; new major heat alert and tropical night advisory levels introduced; hypermarkets and religious facilities join cooling shelter network; district office shelter to open 24 hours during heat advisories; cooling fog, shade structures expanded
Seoul's Jung-gu district is rolling out a comprehensive summer heat action plan through late September, mobilizing a full range of community-level measures to protect residents as heat waves grow more severe each year.
The district has established a tiered emergency response system: a heat wave response headquarters will be activated when a heat advisory is issued, and a disaster safety response headquarters will be stood up when a major heat alert is declared. The district said it will strengthen on-the-ground response this year following the introduction of two new alert levels — a major heat alert and a tropical night advisory.
The district is expanding its network of cooling shelters, designating 76 locations in total. New additions include the E-mart Cheonggyecheon branch and five religious facilities, improving accessibility for residents. When a heat advisory is in effect, the district office cooling shelter will remain open around the clock. If a major heat alert is declared, neighborhood community center shelters will extend their hours from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
During the peak heat months of July and August, the district also plans to operate "heat safety lodging" facilities for low-income elderly households and housing-vulnerable residents, subsidizing accommodation costs of up to 100,000 won (about $67) per room.
The district is also expanding outdoor infrastructure to reduce heat exposure.
Cooling fog systems will be installed at Seosomun History Park, and a canopy-style shade structure will be set up at Sohn Kee-chung Athletic Park. Parasol rental stations will be available at 29 locations including community centers and libraries, and bottled water refrigerators will operate at six high-traffic parks during July and August.
Management of shade structures near crosswalks will also be tightened. The district will closely monitor the open/close status and condition of all 175 shade structures — including four smart shade units installed this year — adjusting them according to weather conditions. Six additional smart shade structures are set to be installed in June.
In addition, 20 smart bus shelter rest stations and 66 cooling benches will be in operation, and water-spraying efforts will be carried out to ease the urban heat island effect in the city center.
The district has also put in place detailed protections for heat-vulnerable residents. Welfare checks will be conducted regularly for approximately 1,440 residents with health and housing vulnerabilities, using phone calls, in-person visits and Internet of Things devices.
Street homeless individuals will receive health checks through patrols conducted at least twice daily.
Heat-vulnerable households will receive cooling supplies and air-conditioning subsidies, and more than 800 heat prevention kits are to be produced and distributed.
To protect construction site and outdoor workers, the district will enforce mandatory midday rest periods and conduct safety education, while carrying out unannounced inspections to verify compliance with heat safety regulations at worksites.
"We will prepare thoroughly for summer heat waves and respond without gaps, so that residents can enjoy a healthy and safe summer," said Bae Hyeong-u, the acting district mayor of Jung-gu.
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