February 2013 News Round Up
Mudeung San hosts Large New Year’s Gathering
Over 10,000 Gwangjuites ventured to Mt. Mudeung for sunrise on New Year’s Day. Braving the snowy conditions, many waited at the peaks of Seosuk-Dae and Jangbul-Jae, as well as other places throughout the park. Unfortunately, cloud-filled skies prevented visitors from seeing the first sun of 2013. Disappointment came over those in attendance, including 2,000 people and Mayor Kang who were participating in a sunrise event at Jeungsimsa. The celebration was to commemorate Mudeung-san’s designation as a National Park in 2012. Nevertheless, attendees enjoyed the upbeat traditional percussion-led music (pungmul) and were treated to tteokguk (rice cake soup) and rice balls – courtesy of the Korean Red Cross and Gwangju Bank respectively. So what if 2013’s first sunrise was blocked by a cloudy snowstorm? Two local organizations made sure those on hand enjoyed their time with nice food and lively music.
Food Price Disclosure to be enforced
City officials announced that restaurants have to display the total cost of meals to customers, through a law to be implemented on January 31st. The Food Sanitation Act was amended on December 17th and the new “disclosure” rule applies to any restaurant over 150 square meters in space. In Gwangju, this will affect 2,164 restaurants or 14% of all restaurants. Final price including VAT have to be posted in the main entrance so potential customers can see easily before entering. Restaurants that violate the law are to receive a corrective order, followed by a business suspension if the rule is not followed. A grace period up to April 31st has been offered for restaurants to have sufficient time and a crackdown is set to commence on May 1st. While some restaurants may not be overly happy, customers will see it as an opportunity to find reasonable options through checking prices ahead of entering.
Firefighter of the Year: Kim Oh-Joo from Gwangju
Kim Oh-Joo from Seobu Fire station has been selected as one of Korea’s “Heroic Firefighters of the Year.” According to The City’s Fire Safety Headquarters, Kim won a certificate and cash prize from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on December 13th. NEMA selected 8 firefighters after receiving recommendations of firefighters with excellent performance ratings. Gwangju’s Kim, who was appointed as a fire fighter in 1993, participated in the collapse of the Sampoong Department Store in 1995 and saved 22 lives. He is also qualified as a Helicopter emergency technician and plays an active part as an air rescue worker. Kim said “It is a big honor to have worked as a firefighter responsible for citizens’ lives for 20 years. I am grateful to receive this award. I regard fire fighting as my true calling and will do my best to protect citizens.”
Gwangju City Helps Homeless Through Cold Wave
Gwangju continued efforts in December to tackle a growing homeless problem. The City formed teams to help during last month’s severely cold weather. The teams are made up of five groups (representatives from each district, public officers, the police, counselors, and layers) and they started patrolling the bus terminal, parks any other places where the homeless people are known to stay. In December, officials convinced a little over ten people to go to a shelter or to try and find their families. The program has even gone so far as to consult the homeless on their debt problems. City officials said that they are trying to help the homeless be treated less as a distant and shameful part of society.
Mayor Kang Serves Food to the Elderly
Mayor Kang had a busy month and its no surprise that he gets a second story here. The mayor volunteered and distributed food to the elderly in Seogu’s Senior Welfare Center diner on January 4th. Roughly 650 people visited the center to receive free meals and as they were being served, the mayor asked about difficulties they face in life. Mayor Kang encouraged the volunteers and officials at the center by asking them to do their best to offer high quality meals and make sure no one skips meals. The City currently offers free meals to over 4,600 elderly people at 40 separate locations throughout Gwangju. A City official said, “We will try to reduce elderly hunger and offer good meals while considering that grocery costs are growing due to inflation.”