Seoul's Yongsan-gu has partnered with local churches to expand a network of neighborhood shelters protecting vulnerable residents from extreme heat and cold, district Mayor Kim Gyeong-dae announced.
The initiative extends the shelter program beyond public facilities to private venues, giving residents easy access to a safe resting place close to home and strengthening the district's community safety net.
Yongsan-gu signed an MOU with the Yongsan-gu Parish Council on Friday at Haebang Church, formalizing the designation and operation of additional heat and cold-wave shelters across the district.
District Mayor Kim and Yongsan-gu Parish Council President Park Yeong-guk attended the signing ceremony, along with representatives of the participating churches. Attendees signed the agreement and pledged to strengthen public-private cooperation in responding to local disasters.
Under the MOU, 15 local churches will operate as heat and cold-wave shelters, open to all district residents daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., including weekends. The district also plans to continue expanding the number of participating churches through ongoing consultations with the Parish Council.
The 15 participating churches are Huram Church, Haebang Church, Sinheung Church, Cheongpa Jungang Church, Seonggwang Church, Seoul Vision Church, Seonin Jungang Church, Sinchang Jeil Church, Mallihhyeon Church, Han River Jungang Church, Sinyongsan Church, City Mission Church, Samae Church, Daeseong Church and Hannam Jungang Church.
The MOU marks a shift from relying solely on public facilities to incorporating private venues into the shelter network. The goal is to improve accessibility for seniors, people with disabilities, the homeless and other groups most vulnerable to extreme heat and cold, allowing them to reach a shelter more conveniently from where they live.
The district also aims to increase the number of shelters available on weekends as well as weekdays, ensuring no gaps in resident protection during prolonged heat waves or cold snaps. Participating churches will contribute by providing shelter space and guiding visitors, supporting the broader community safety net.
"Extreme heat and cold brought on by climate change are becoming genuine threats to residents' lives and safety," district Mayor Kim said. "Building on cooperation with the community, we will continue to expand neighborhood shelters so that every resident can find a safe place to rest close to home."
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