Dongjak-gu has launched a free line dance program at its district office as part of its open-building policy, with classes getting underway last Friday.
The district said it introduced the program to promote residents' health, foster a wholesome leisure culture and build on its push to make the district office a genuinely open space that residents can feel at home in.
The line dance classes run every Friday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the grand hall on the fourth floor of the district office. The pilot runs through August, after which the district plans to expand sessions to twice a week — Mondays and Fridays.
A professional line dance instructor leads each session. The classes are free and open to all residents on a drop-in basis, with no advance registration required. Session schedules may be adjusted depending on hall bookings.
Residents with questions can contact the Dongjak-gu District Office's Sports Policy Division.
The district has been actively building an open-office culture since July 1, when it lifted access restrictions on floors five through 10 of the district office building under the guiding principle that "residents are the true owners of Dongjak."
The "Open Mayor's Office" on the first floor is a notable part of that effort, where District Mayor Ryu Sam-young meets directly with residents every Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The initiative has drawn strong public interest, with more than 80 residents visiting across six sessions held so far.
The district has also designated the office building as a heat-relief shelter in response to the record-breaking heat wave that has persisted in recent weeks, and it has become a go-to urban retreat visited by hundreds of residents every day.
"I hope many residents will use these line dance classes to shake off the stress of daily life and fully enjoy the exciting changes happening at the district office," Ryu said. "We will continue doing our best to make the district office a resident-centered, open space that adds vitality to people's lives and broadens communication."
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