KUCHING — Kuching South City Council (MBKS) is taking further steps towards its mission of becoming both a Child-Friendly City and an Age-Friendly City by building international partnerships.
Mayor of Kuching South, Dato Wee Hong Seng, together with Deputy Mayor Dato Zaiedi bin Suhaili and Senior Assistant Secretary Lilian Liew, visited the Guro District Social Welfare Center in South Korea during an official trip this week.
The visit served as a platform to explore collaboration between Kuching South and Guro, particularly in advancing inclusive urban development that caters to both children and the elderly.
During the study tour, the MBKS delegation was introduced to Guro’s innovative community programmes. Among them were the Smart Companion Robot “Hyodol” Project, Digital Inclusion Programmes for the Elderly, and Smart Health and Welfare Services that integrate technology with community care.
The Guro District Welfare Center, which serves nearly 375,000 annual users, also runs pioneering initiatives such as the Visiting Health and Welfare Rider Project and Customized Cognitive Health Programs. These efforts target elderly residents, vulnerable groups, and single-person households — areas Kuching South aims to strengthen as part of its own city development agenda.
Dato Wee highlighted the importance of adopting modern approaches while ensuring inclusivity.
“What we have seen today in Guro District is a forward-looking model of community care where technology, inclusivity, and human compassion converge. This visit provides valuable insights as Kuching South advances its mission to create a city that nurtures both our young and elderly populations,” he said.
The delegation also expressed interest in Guro’s public-private-academic partnerships, which combine health, education, and welfare services. According to Dato Wee, such integrated collaboration could provide a strong roadmap for governance in Kuching South.
This visit marks another milestone for MBKS as it continues building an international knowledge exchange platform to shape Kuching South into a city that is inclusive, safe, and sustainable for all generations. – MBKS