Gangseo-gu Installs 200 "Kkachi Chairs" for Older Adults to Rest While Walking

Seoul's Gangseo-gu District (Mayor Jin Gyohoon) said Thursday that it had installed 200 Kkachi chairs, resting spots for pedestrians, in places frequented by older adults, including neighborhood parks and senior centers, to make it easier for them to walk around their neighborhoods.

Cylindrical magpie chair in front of a senior center. Provided by Gangseo-gu.

The Kkachi chair is designed to let older adults who have difficulty walking for long periods sit down and rest whenever they need to. It is named after the magpie, a symbol of the district.

The district selected locations after analyzing the proportion of older residents, the distribution of senior centers and welfare centers, and the number of traditional market visitors. It installed 150 two-seat benches and 50 cylindrical chairs, focusing on neighborhood parks, areas around senior centers, and stops for free shuttle buses for older adults and people with mobility challenges. The chairs feature a wood design to blend in with the surrounding landscape.

Mayor Jin said, "It is more important than anything to make small but thoughtful improvements to the environment so that older adults do not experience inconvenience even in their everyday walks. We will continue to identify customized welfare programs that residents can directly experience in their daily lives."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.