Ministry of Health and Welfare evaluates local governments nationwide — Songpa-gu named top overall institution
District recognized across 11 categories including walking, smoking cessation and children's health management
Songpa-gu in Seoul was named the top overall institution at the 2026 Local Government Health Promotion Project Performance Awards held on June 30, earning a commendation from the Ministry of Health and Welfare minister.
The district claimed the overall category top prize in 2023 and 2024, the strategic category in 2025, and again took the overall top honor this year — marking four consecutive years of recognition.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare annually evaluates local governments nationwide on the planning, operation and outcomes of community health promotion projects to select outstanding institutions.
Songpa-gu operates 11 health promotion programs covering smoking cessation, alcohol reduction, physical activity, obesity prevention, and cardiovascular disease management, tailored to the district's characteristics and residents' needs. This year, the district received particularly high marks for moving beyond its previous education-focused approach to build an integrated health promotion model linking education, counseling and practice.
New initiatives included a mobile "smoking cessation classroom" for teenagers and an online smoking cessation counseling center, strengthening the district's cessation support network. Life-stage-specific programs — including health management for those preparing for or recovering from pregnancy, a tie-in with the Sonmokdakto 9988 initiative, and a physical activity program for children and grandparents — drove significant growth in resident participation and healthy lifestyle adoption.
Participation in the mobile walking challenge reached 54,027 people, up 176 percent from the previous year, while users of health-promoting staircases surged 528 percent to 873,782. Enrollment in the youth smoking cessation clinic rose 25.5 percent, and the smoking cessation success rate improved by 133.3 percent. The integrated children's health experience program drew 1,213 participants and the virtual alcohol experience program drew 1,061 — roughly double the targets — while participation in the healthy workplace program climbed 164 percent year on year.
Building on this recognition, the district plans to further expand its health promotion services so that all residents can access health management tailored to their stage of life.
In particular, Songpa-gu will strengthen prevention-focused health management and healthy lifestyle programs — and continue expanding customized support for health-vulnerable populations — as part of its core goal under the ninth elected administration: realizing Songpa as a "city of healthy longevity."
"Being named the top overall institution and receiving recognition for four consecutive years reflects the results of four years of effort together with our residents," district mayor Seo Gang-seok said. "In the ninth elected administration, we will build a Songpa where all residents are healthy and where life keeps getting better — a true city of healthy longevity."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
