Daily Capacity of Seoul Physical Fitness 9988 to Be Expanded Fivefold...Service Split into Certification and Experience Types

\r\n
[Financial News] The "Seoul Physical Fitness 9988 Certification Center" will hereafter offer services in two formats: a certification type and an experience type. The service, which previously accommodated about 12 people per day, will be able to serve up to 64 people a day when the two types are combined. Those who need certificates for purposes such as employment or school admissions can apply for the "certification type," while citizens who simply wish to have their fitness measured can apply for the "experience type."
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 18th that starting next month it will split the fitness assessment services at the "Seoul Physical Fitness 9988 Certification Center" into two types and completely overhaul its operations, including a significant increase in user capacity. Reservation methods, which had been limited to smartphones, will also be expanded to include in-person and phone reservations.
Through the existing "National Fitness Award 100" program, citizens were able to obtain fitness test certificates required for submission in recruitment and school admissions, and these certificates can now also be issued through the "Seoul Physical Fitness 9988 Certification Center." As a result, the number of users has surged, leading to inconveniences such as reservations filling up quickly.
On the 3rd of last month, reservations closed almost immediately after the booking page opened due to a flood of users. In response, the city decided to segment demand and increase capacity so that more citizens can use the service.
Starting next month, the daily capacity for the "certification type" will be gradually expanded to up to 16 people, and up to 48 people for the "experience type." The plan is to increase the maximum number of users per center from the current 12 to as many as 64, a fivefold increase.
The "certification-type fitness assessment" will operate in the same way as before and is intended for citizens who need an official fitness test certificate. The "experience-type fitness assessment" targets citizens who need to check their fitness level and manage their health.
Reservation methods have also been diversified. For the remaining reservation slots this month, the city is accepting bookings not only through the "Wrist Doctor 9988" app but also via in-person and phone reservations. However, citizens who wish to take the "certification-type fitness assessment" rather than the experience type must still book through the app only.
If there are same-day openings when visiting the center, citizens can immediately participate in a fitness assessment by registering on-site. However, wait times may occur for walk-in visitors.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is currently conducting a research project to establish operating standards for fitness certification centers focused on citizens' health management. It also plans to gradually introduce AI-based fitness management services and further develop "Seoul Physical Fitness 9988" into a comprehensive fitness management platform.
The city also plans to further expand reservation options by introducing additional booking methods, such as group reservations and programs linked with public health center health management programs. In addition, to accommodate citizens who find it difficult to visit during daytime hours due to work, it is preparing flexible operating measures such as evening hours on weekdays and Saturday operations.
Cho Young-chang, Director-General of the Citizens' Health Bureau at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said, "The core of this overhaul is to drastically increase the number of daily users so that waiting times are reduced while opportunities for fitness assessments are greatly expanded," adding, "We will continue to refine and upgrade operations so that citizens can use the fitness certification centers as a starting point for everyday health management."
chlee1@fnnews.com Lee Chang-hoon Reporter