District signs MOU with Korea Energy Foundation to improve insulation, windows and high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment
Partnership aims to cut energy costs for low-income households while reducing carbon emissions through locally tailored projects
Seodaemun-gu in Seoul is rolling out an energy welfare policy that links climate crisis response to improving the living conditions of energy-vulnerable residents.
The district signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Energy Foundation on Monday to advance energy welfare and promote sustainable climate and energy policy.
The agreement aims to improve living conditions for residents most exposed to extreme heat and cold while raising residential energy efficiency as a path to carbon neutrality.
The two organizations will coordinate energy efficiency programs targeting low-income households and social welfare facilities, covering home insulation and window upgrades, high-efficiency boiler replacements, cooling equipment support and LED lighting distribution.
The partnership places particular emphasis on raising the energy efficiency of homes themselves — rather than simply providing one-time heating and cooling subsidies — with the goal of reducing residents' long-term energy costs.
The two sides will also jointly develop projects on renewable energy deployment, energy transition, and climate and carbon neutrality initiatives tailored to the district's specific characteristics.
Seodaemun-gu will assess the needs and living conditions of energy-vulnerable residents in the district and handle administrative support and community coordination. The Korea Energy Foundation will contribute policy advice, information sharing and program referrals based on its expertise and experience in the field.
The two organizations plan to identify specific projects through working-level consultations and will also explore ways to secure government and private funding as well as external financing. The actual beneficiaries, scale and timeline will be finalized through follow-up discussions.
"Responding to the climate crisis means reducing carbon emissions and, at the same time, protecting residents' lives," Seodaemun-gu District Mayor Park Un-gi said. "We will make sure that energy welfare and carbon neutrality are realized together in the daily lives of our residents."
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