Songpa-gu to host 27th welfare fair at Olympic Park

Songpa-gu in Seoul will hold the "27th Social Welfare Day Ceremony and 2026 Songpa Welfare Fair" on Oct. 31, the district announced.

The fair will be held under the theme "Warm Welfare, Attentive Care, Inclusive City Songpa." More than 60 public and private organizations — including social welfare agencies and facilities within the district and the Dong Haengbok Ulta-ri Federation — will take part.

Co-hosted by Songpa-gu and the Songpa-gu Community Social Security Council, the fair will offer welfare information across eight fields: employment and residential support, health and medical care, children and youth, senior citizens, people with disabilities, women and childcare, case management, and community resources. More than 40 hands-on, promotional and counseling programs will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The welfare service experience booths will feature a range of resident participation programs, including a cafe run by Deomasil, a stress-relief kiosk, a calligraphy calendar-making workshop with senior artists, a handmade Dubai Chewy Cookie session, postcard drawing and recycled keyring crafting.

A highlight will be the "Health Exercise Experience Zone," operated in partnership with Korea National Sport University, which will offer AI-based fitness assessments and personalized exercise guidance tailored to each participant's age and physical condition. Sports taping and other health management programs will also be available, giving residents a chance to check their fitness levels and learn practical workout routines for daily life.

A Goodwill Store booth selling donated clothing, shoes and toys will also be set up, alongside a food booth run by the Dong Haengbok Ulta-ri Federation. All proceeds will go toward a "Warm Winter" support project for vulnerable residents in the district.

New this year is "Songtiago Donation Orienteering," a walking program that combines health and charitable giving. All participation fees will be donated to the Community Chest of Korea, allowing participants to look after their own health while contributing to their neighbors.

District Mayor Seo Gang-seok said he hoped the fair would go beyond public-private cooperation to give residents a chance to enjoy a variety of experiences and share welfare information tailored to Songpa. "We will continue to identify and expand diverse welfare services to improve the well-being of our residents," he added.

The 27th Social Welfare Day Ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. that day, opening with a performance before proceeding to an opening declaration, commendations for welfare contributors and congratulatory remarks from guests. A total of 21 social welfare workers who have contributed to the development of welfare in Songpa will receive citations.