Second such certification among county's 16 government-supported shelters
Yeoncheon-gun announced Wednesday that the resident evacuation shelter in Gomun-ri, Yeoncheon-eup, has received full Barrier Free (BF) certification for its barrier-free living environment.
The certification recognizes the facility's design and construction from the ground up to ensure safe and convenient access for all residents, including people with disabilities and the elderly. The Korea Productivity Center Certification Institute awarded the facility an "excellent" rating.
The Gomun-ri shelter is equipped with a dedicated entrance and ramp for people with disabilities, tactile map signage and audio guidance systems for the visually impaired, and accessible restrooms, among other amenities. These features ensure that disabled and non-disabled residents alike can use the facility safely and conveniently in the event of a disaster or emergency.
Yeoncheon-gun has now secured BF certification for two of its 16 government-supported resident evacuation shelters — first for the Gwangdong-ri shelter, built in 2024 in connection with the Gwangdong-ri community center, and now for the Gomun-ri facility. The county said the achievement reflects not only its commitment to resident safety in a border region but also its careful attention to the needs of mobility-impaired residents who may face particular difficulties evacuating during emergencies.
Hwang Dae-woo, head of the safety management division, said the county continues to expand its shelter network despite the practical challenges of building below-ground facilities in a border area. "Following this year's BF certification for Gomun-ri, we plan to invest 960 million won ($708,000) in 2027 to build one new shelter in the Dongjung-ri area of Wangjing-myeon, a project selected under the Ministry of Interior and Safety program," Hwang said.
"We will do our utmost to not only expand evacuation shelters but also create a barrier-free evacuation environment accessible to everyone — disabled and non-disabled alike — so that residents are protected in any emergency," Hwang added.
pjh@heraldcorp.com
