Seoul Promotes Neighborhood Connections Through ‘Neighbor Vending Machine’ Pop-Up

The ‘Neighbor Vending Machine’ (Image courtesy of Seoul city)

SEOUL, Jun. 18 (Korea Bizwire) – The Seoul Volunteer Center recently operated a ‘Neighbor Vending Machine’ pop-up event themed around community communication at the 2024 Car-Free Jamsugyo Walkathon Festival, it announced on June 17. 

The concept allowed participants to write down messages or concerns they wanted to share with their neighbors, which would then dispense notes written by other citizens expressing sentiments they wished to convey to those living nearby. 

These pop-ups aim to spark interest in volunteerism and proliferate a culture of service by engaging citizens at festivals and other public gatherings. 

Over three days on April 19, May 2 and May 9, a total of 1,757 residents participated in the Neighbor Vending Machine pop-up, demonstrating keen interest in neighborhood relations. 

“I recently moved from Mapo-gu to Dongjak-gu, and wrote that ‘everything still feels unfamiliar after relocating from my old neighborhood. I want to greet my new neighbors,’” recounted one participant identified as Ms. A. “I was surprised when the vending machine responded, ‘Be sure to say good morning.’” 

Inspired by this enthusiasm, the center is launching a “Neighbor Project” intended to foster civic harmony. Through volunteer activities done alongside neighbors, the project seeks to resolve the lack of community communication and promote a culture of mutual consideration.

Initially piloting the program in Nowon-gu, Seocho-gu and Yangcheon-gu, the Neighbor Project will eventually expand across all districts of Seoul. 

Detailed information can be found on the center’s website (https://volunteer.seoul.go.kr) or by inquiring with their Planning and Research Team at 02-2136-8714.

M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)