Ulsan's Dong-gu improves school zone safety at 7 sites

Ulsan's Dong-gu has spent 350 million won ($232,000) this year to improve pedestrian and traffic conditions at seven school zone sites — including elementary schools and former kindergartens whose zones were lifted after closure — through its school zone improvement project.

The district announced Thursday that it had completed a second round of improvements, following a first phase targeting five sites — including Hwaam, Jeonha and Munhyeon elementary schools — that wrapped up in May.

The first phase, completed May 26, raised the visibility of school zones in front of three elementary schools — Hwaam, Jeonha and Munhyeon — through road resurfacing, sidewalk block repairs, anti-slip paving and lane repainting. In front of the now-closed former Sarang Kindergarten and former Rumbini Kindergarten, the district removed school zone signs and cleared road fixtures to ease inconvenience for drivers.

The second phase incorporated residents' requests, expanding the sidewalk behind Jeonha Elementary School toward the Ulsan City Child Care Support Center and replacing aging pedestrian guardrails. A new crosswalk was also installed in front of Nammok Elementary School to strengthen child traffic safety measures.

"We will continue to inspect and address hazards within school zones to ensure children can walk safely," a Dong-gu official said.