"We will keep visiting sites and looking after residents — especially elderly and vulnerable people — so they can get through the summer safely and comfortably," said Yeongdeungpo-gu District Mayor Jo Yu-jin.
The heat wave has shown no sign of letting up even after the traditional start of autumn, putting both central government agencies and local authorities on emergency footing.
Jo set out Friday to check on communities struggling under the relentless heat, first visiting Mullae Park alongside Lee Ho-hyeon, second vice minister of the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy. The two inspected a stream rest area and a cooling fog system, both installed as heat-response facilities.
The stream rest area — a small artificial waterway built inside the park — was funded through a competitive grant from the ministry that Yeongdeungpo-gu won. Designed to lower ambient temperatures during heat waves, the space also features shade structures where residents can play in the water and rest during summer.
Jo thanked Vice Minister Lee for the ministry's active heat-response efforts and asked for continued support for Yeongdeungpo-gu, which has built such a close working relationship with the ministry that it is often called a partner agency.
The district mayor then visited facilities serving homeless residents near Yeongdeungpo Station, including a jjokbangchon neighborhood, the Hope Support Center, Gwangya Church, the Ongdalsaem Drop-in Center and a jjokbang counseling office, encouraging staff and checking on the welfare of those using the services.
Jo reviewed heat-preparedness measures including protection plans for people sleeping rough, distributions of iced water and a mobile shower vehicle. Stepping into the cool air of one facility, he relaxed and said, "It's so hot outside — I'd like to lie down here for a while myself."
At Gwangya Church, which provides free meals, electrical upgrade work was underway to boost voltage capacity. A staff member told Jo: "The voltage was so low that the air conditioner kept tripping off whenever we turned it on. Now we'll finally be able to serve meals in a cool, comfortable dining room" — and thanked him for the support.
During the rounds, a resident Jo encountered asked him to help organize a baduk tournament, saying, "When I concentrate on the game, I forget my stress and don't even think about drinking."
The inspection concluded at two rest stops for gig and delivery workers — the first at the Yeongdeungpo Industrial Mission and the second in Singil-dong. Each facility is equipped with cold drinking water, air conditioning, helmet dryers, phone chargers and security cameras, giving workers a safe place to rest between jobs.
Jo encouraged the delivery and gig workers who must ride the asphalt even under extreme heat alerts to make ends meet, calling the facilities "a true oasis for mobile workers" and urging staff to keep running them with care.
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