Seongdong-gu District Mayor Yoo Bo-hwa is conducting sidewalk inspections even amid a heat wave.
The effort aims to create a safe and comfortable walking environment where all residents can move about without worry. Yoo's commitment to resident safety — venturing out in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius — has drawn attention.
The district announced Tuesday that it is carrying out regular sidewalk inspections across all pedestrian routes in the district.
The inspections are designed to proactively identify potential hazards such as pavement damage and subsidence on routes residents use daily, and to carry out prompt repairs to prevent accidents. Rather than a one-off effort, the program links regular field checks with follow-up maintenance to keep pedestrian routes in continuous good condition.
The district has designated every Wednesday as "Sidewalk Inspection Day," with staff from the relevant department conducting field checks. The inspection scope covers all sidewalks in the district — 17 city-road routes totaling 71.8 kilometers and 31 district-road routes totaling 28.7 kilometers. Staff members are each assigned specific routes to examine closely for conditions that cause pedestrian inconvenience or pose safety risks.
Routes are inspected in sequence each week so that all roads in the district are covered within a one-month cycle. Rather than limiting checks to specific sections or areas where complaints have been filed, the district plans to monitor the walking environment across all of Seongdong-gu on a regular basis, identifying and addressing hazards before they cause harm.
The inspections cover all aspects of pedestrian safety. Key items include damaged or sunken sidewalk pavement and Braille blocks; sections where curb cuts have not been installed, obstructing strollers and elderly or disabled pedestrians; broken pedestrian fencing; sections left unrestored after excavation work; and illegally placed objects on the pavement.
Hazards identified during inspections are addressed promptly. Minor pavement damage and other issues that can be fixed immediately are handled by the road maintenance crew, while cases requiring larger-scale repairs are assessed on site and scheduled for early completion.
The district said it will continue weekly field inspections, directly checking everything from neighborhood sidewalks to pedestrian paths along major roads, carrying out necessary repairs quickly to prevent accidents and improve walking convenience.
"Sidewalks are the most basic lifestyle facility residents use every day, so it is important to pay close attention even to small inconveniences and hazards," Yoo said. "Through continuous inspections and prompt repairs, we will build a safe walking environment where every resident can walk with peace of mind."
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