Interior ministry marks Senior Citizens' Day with road safety campaign in Seongdong

The interior ministry said Thursday it will hold an on-site safety campaign in the Sageun-dong area of Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on Friday to mark the 30th Senior Citizens' Day, targeting traffic and everyday accidents among older residents. The event takes place around the Sageun-dong senior welfare center, which was newly designated as a senior protection zone in May.

The ministry, the Seongdong-gu district office, the Hanyang precinct of the Seongdong police station and participating organizations of the central council for the safety culture movement will take part.

Officials will inspect the installation and management of traffic safety facilities and the pedestrian environment in the zone, checking for hazards on the ground. They will then guide pedestrians, local residents and merchants on walking and traffic safety rules, and call for slower driving and protection of pedestrians inside the zone.

At the welfare center, older residents will receive practical safety education on traffic, electricity and gas. The Korea Road Traffic Authority will cover safe walking practices and how to prevent traffic accidents, while the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation and the Korea Gas Safety Corporation will teach household rules for preventing electrical and gas accidents. Participants will receive portable shopping carts as gifts after the session.

The ministry said it plans to keep working with relevant organizations on on-site safety inspections and everyday safety education focused on senior protection zones and other living spaces used by older residents.

"It is important to carefully examine the risk factors in daily life and create a safe environment so that older people can go about their activities with peace of mind," said Park Hyung-bae, head of the ministry's safety prevention policy office. "We will continue to expand on-site safety culture activities that older residents can feel, working closely with relevant organizations."