A signature community program running since 1999, the initiative delivers carefully fermented doenjang and soy sauce to 280 low-income households; a charity donation ceremony was also held Tuesday to pass on proceeds from a Chuseok saemaul market.
Seoul's Seocho-gu district office said it joined the Seocho-gu Saemaul Women's Association on Tuesday at the district office plaza for the "2026 Charity Doenjang and Soy Sauce Making" event, carrying on a tradition of community care.
Organized by the Seocho-gu Saemaul Women's Association and sponsored by the district office, the program has been a signature neighborhood-assistance initiative of the association since 1999. Members hand-prepare doenjang ("fermented soybean paste") and soy sauce to share with marginalized neighbors — elderly people living alone, child-headed households and grandparent-grandchild families facing financial hardship.
Members packaged doenjang and soy sauce they had carefully fermented since spring, then from 2 p.m. Tuesday handed over bundles — each containing 2 kilograms of doenjang and two 360-milliliter bottles of soy sauce — to representatives from neighborhood community centers at the district office plaza. The sets are to be delivered with warm wishes to a total of 280 low-income households in the district.
Song Yeong-bok, chair of the Seocho-gu Saemaul Women's Association, said she was glad to once again share the doenjang and soy sauce that members had prepared with care. "It is a small gesture, but I hope the healthy food and the warmth behind it help our neighbors get through a cozy winter," she said.
The day before the main event, about 40 people — including Seocho-gu District Mayor Jeon Seong-su, Seocho-gu Council Speaker Yoo Ji-ung and association members — gathered for a charity donation ceremony in which the association presented a portion of the food-sales proceeds it raised at a Chuseok saemaul community market held earlier.
District Mayor Jeon thanked association chair Song and the members for their annual commitment to giving and sharing on behalf of those in need. "We will continue to work alongside residents to spread the warmth of community sharing and make our neighborhood an even healthier and more caring place," he said.
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
