The child-friendly city of Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jung-hun) remodeled the senior citizen center to create the seventh branch of “Ggum Miso,” a shared space for senior citizens and children, reinforce the local care system, and create a city where children and teens are happy.

The children’s community center, Ggum Miso, is used as a senior citizen center during the day and transforms into an space for children and teens from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. after the senior citizens go home. The name, “Ggum Miso,” where “ggum” means “dream” and “miso” means “smile,” comes from the dreams and smiles that were wished upon those who came to receive rice at the neighborhood rice mills in the past.

All children and teens under the age of eighteen (excluding infants and toddlers) can freely use the Ggum Miso facility free of charge. Unlike the existing children’s facilities that are centered around learning programs, Ggum Miso is a space for children to plan their own activities. The facility will operate the autonomous committee, “Ggumjaengi,” made up of children and teens, and have permanent instructors who will act as guides for after school activities.

Opinions from senior citizens and children were collected before reforming the elderly hall to create a customized space that both the first and third generations could enjoy.

The seventh branch on the second floor of the Gangdong-gu Yaksu Center for Senior Citizens in Dunchon 2(i)-dong (150-8, Jinhwangdo-ro, Gangdong-gu, Seoul) maximally reflects the opinions of senior citizens, children, residents, and parties concerned with children’s welfare in terms of facility furnishings. The physical features of senior citizens and children were taken into consideration to incorporate a universal design that is comfortable for those of all ages and genders, and the facility was creatively decorated for children to freely rest and play.

Mayor Lee Jung-hun stated, “‘Ggum Miso’ is a model of Gangdong-type welfare that supports the healthy growth of children and teens, as well as the union of the first and third generations that live together under the same roof. The seventh branch opened in Dunchon-dong, following the opening of other branches in Gil-dong, Cheonho-dong, Amsa-dong, and Myeongil-dong, and we are currently preparing to open the eighth branch in Sangil-dong. We plan to open the twelfth branch of Ggum Miso by 2022.”

The opening of the seventh Ggum Miso has been delayed tentatively due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and operations will begin in full observance of the social distancing and disinfection/prevention measures in the future. 

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  The newly transformed senior community center in Amsa 2-2 (Amsa 2(i)-dong, No. 2) – the comb patterns were applied to the exterior safety windows to display Gangdong-gu’s special features.

  

  Entrance to a senior community center – the ramp to prevent the slipping of senior citizens who struggle with movement was installed along with a canopy to create a comfortable rest area.