Here is the latest and greatest that’s happening in the area, straight from city hall.
Pyeongtaek’s Annual City Cleanup
Pyeongtaek citizens care about their city and organize several cleanups throughout the year. One particular citizen, Oh Sung-myeon, has made these cleanups his mission and so far he has collected about 3 tons of garbage around Ohseong-myeon. This year is no different and the annual cleanup scheduled at the end of August will mark the rainy season and the city’s renewed commitment. Every year the city sets up a budget for collecting and disposing of coastal garbage and scrapped fish to improve the eco-friendly fishing grounds. In the past the Mayor of Pyeongtaek and 30 local fishermen from the Pyeongtaek Province organized groups to collect scraps, abandoned items and household garbage from Pyeongtaek Lake. The waste collected is turned over to a special processing company. In addition community leaders like the city’s head council, Oseong Nonghyup, and Happiness Hall participate in an annual citywide deep clean where local citizens are asked to help with abandoned advertisements and household garbage.
Hygiene Training at Local Markets
As the heat of summer starts to increase, so does the chances for food contamination. It can happen in as little as 30 minutes and sometimes it can take up to 6 hours. While the symptoms are unpleasant (diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting) most people recover within 1-3 days, it can discourage customers from returning and directly impacts the local economy. What most of us probably knows is that improper handling can infect eggs and milk with salmonella. And bacteria grows really well in meat, milk, cheese, ice cream, and mayonnaise. But did you know the most common food poisoning via staphylococcus aureus is the result of a food preparer transferring it to the food they are working around? Yes, this could even mean YOU if you prepare your meal at home. This is pretty common for dairy and room temperature products like deli meats, especially because the staph toxin is resistant to heat and often cannot be boiled.
Which is why Pyeongtaek City’s Market President recently gave its citizens the opportunity to practice personal hygiene and preventive measures. An official said, “The most common way to deal with waterborne disease infections is to follow personal hygiene regulations and get adequate rest. Wash your hands with soap and water for 30 seconds or more. Try not to eat raw food. If the food has been improperly handled or exposed to room temperature for too long, throw it away. Boil water from unregulated sources before drinking it.”
Note: People with cirrhosis should be aware that the fresh catch of the day (oysters, octopus, etc.) is often treated with a solution made up of a high salt concentration.
Searching for Hidden Cameras
Concerned about the issue of hidden cameras, Pyeongtaek City’s Administrative Welfare Center in Chungbuk province decided to check all of their public restrooms and toilets. The chief of the Women’s Welfare Office and the chairperson of the Cheongbuk Euphon Committee joined them in their endeavors. No cameras were found. Chungcheongbuk police said, ” To create a safe public toilet environment the Provincial Administrative and the Welfare Center is operating an inspection team at all times to prevent illegal hidden camera crimes. We also offer equipment free of charge for private companies such as in-house companies, restaurants, and lodging businesses.”
Anjung-eup Delivers Cooling Blankets to the Elderly
On June 26th Joint Chairman Kim Tae-ok , and a local social security council member of Pyeongtaek City, Cho Sung-gyu, in support of the Samsung Sharing Walking Welfare Fund, delivered 20 cooling summer blankets to 20 families living alone in the city. “I want all residents to enjoy a healthy and pleasant summer,” Chairman Kim Tae-ok said, “so I am glad that we can help families deal with the heat.” The members of the social security of Anjung-eup wanted to let the residents know they are working hard to solve welfare issues in the community and an official said, “we will continue to actively cooperate in the towns and villages for Anjung-eup, where everyone lives more and more.”
Urban Renewal College
On July 5th, Pyeongtaek celebrated it’s 5th Urban Renewal College Completion Ceremony. 88 fifth graders participated in a program designed to increase the student’s understanding of urban needs and encourage them as future residents to initiate urban regeneration projects. Some of the local customized education courses included a small residential housing readjustment project, where residents shared their opinions and drew up a plan. At the completion ceremony, the school produced 68 graduates. Pyeongtaek Mayor Jeong Jang-seon hopes that this style of college will help continue to educate and impower local residents to come up with and actively pursue urban regeneration projects.
Gender Equality Week
Chairman Kim Min-seo of the Women Association Congress hosted the 24th Gender Equality Week in Pyeongtaek, The event was attended by more than 800 citizens and members of various women’s organizations. Chairman Kim Min-seo said, “We have launched a volunteer drive to build a safe and family-friendly Pyeongtaek, and we will continue to work to ensure a real gender equality society through the harmonious development of men and women with one mind.” To that end, citizens were presented with 28 Confucian scholars who have supported women’s rights and regional development. A family love talk concert was held by singer Lee Sang-woo under the theme “All-Korea Love” to remember the meaning of family love, laughing and singing with Si Min, and making a harmonious family. Pyeongtaek Mayor Jeong Jang-seon thanked the members of the women’s organization for addressing the socially disadvantaged as equals in Pyeongtaek City. He also indicated that a women’s Smart Coaching College for female leaders and managers should be ready to launch in the second half of this year. “So we ask for a lot of attention and participation.”
That’s it for this week. If something is happening in your neck of the woods that you think the community should know about, leave us a comment below!
Christi Cline holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Korean American. She proudly served in the US Marines and worked as a police officer before moving into social media and online content.
As a Cultural Liason and Content Creator with South of Seoul, Ms. Cline reported on Pyeongtaek news and helped to coordinate youth camps with the Pyeongtaek Youth Center.
After leaving her volunteer position with South of Seoul, Christi moved to the United States and joined a global communications technology company.
