Son Hwa-jeong, Head of Yeongjong-gu District, Inspects Cooling Bus for Mobile Workers Amid Heat Wave

Amid a record-breaking heat wave, Son Hwa-jeong, head of Incheon’s Yeongjong-gu District, visited Byeolbit Plaza in Yeongjong Haneul City around midday on Aug. 11 to personally inspect the operation of a “mobile heat shelter (cooling bus)” for outdoor mobile workers.

[The Korean Today] District Mayor Son Hwa-jeong inspecting heat shelter for mobile workers © Reporter Kim Mi-hee

During the visit, Son closely checked the air conditioning inside the cooling bus and carefully confirmed whether visitors were being supplied with sufficient heat-wave provisions, including bottled water and ion drinks.

Amid temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, Son encouraged the staff working to keep the shelter running and handed out cold drinks to mobile workers using the bus, listening directly to the difficulties they face working under the blazing sun.

One delivery rider who used the cooling bus said, “Working outdoors in the height of summer, it was hard because there was nowhere proper to rest even for a moment. Thanks to having this cool bus set up at Byeolbit Plaza, I’ve been able to drink something cold and rest comfortably. I’m truly grateful to Yeongjong-gu District for such thoughtful consideration.” Son repeatedly expressed gratitude for the efforts of mobile workers who sweat through the heat wave to keep residents’ daily lives running.

The “mobile heat shelter (cooling bus)” is one of the heat wave damage prevention measures prepared by Yeongjong-gu District. Since Aug. 10, it has been operating at two locations — Byeolbit Plaza in Yeongjong Haneul City and a roadside parking lot near the Unseo branch of the Saemaul Geumgo credit union. Operating hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and not only mobile workers but anyone vulnerable to the heat is free to visit to cool off and rehydrate.

District Mayor Son Hwa-jeong said, “With sweltering conditions persisting day and night — to the point that a tropical night advisory was newly introduced this year — ensuring the safety of mobile workers, whose workplace is essentially the street, has become a top priority.” She added, “Yeongjong-gu District will serve as a solid shade canopy in the heart of the city so that both on-site staff and workers who quietly keep moving can get through the summer in good health.” She also urged mobile workers, saying, “Above all, health and safety come first, so please stop by the shelters between rounds to rest sufficiently and drink water frequently.”

In addition to the cooling bus, the district is accelerating comprehensive measures to prevent heat wave damage, including operating heat shelters and installing shade canopies at crosswalks. It currently designates and operates a total of 20 heat shelters — 13 indoor and 7 outdoor — and plans to install shade canopies at 14 major crosswalks in the district in addition to the 256 already in place. The locations of nearby heat shelters can easily be checked by anyone through smartphone map apps or the disaster safety information app “Safety Stepping Stone (Anjeon Didimdol).”

[ Reporter Kim Mi-hee: incheonsouth@thekoreantoday.com ]

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