[This Person] Park Seong-su, Songpa District Mayor, Nationwide First to Provide 200,000 Won per Person as ‘Adult Start Support Fund’

Expected Benefits for 6,000 Residents Born in 2002 Living in Songpa-gu for Over a Year... Support with Songpa Love Gift Certificates Starting September 1, Fully Funded with 1.2 Billion KRW

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa District Office, will provide support funds for those who have reached the age of majority at 19 years old.

Songpa District (Mayor Park Seong-su) will start providing the ‘Songpa Coming-of-Age Support Fund’ from September 1 to encourage young people who have reached adulthood.

Support funds exclusively for 19-year-old youth are the first of their kind nationwide by Songpa District.

According to the district, the youth population aged 19 to 39 is about 210,000, accounting for one-third of the total population. On average, about 6,000 adolescents become adults and take their first step into society every year.

However, most adolescents spend their youth aiming for college admission, so the status of adulthood, which grants social rights and responsibilities, comes as a sudden reality.

Therefore, the district implemented the ‘Coming-of-Age Support Fund’ with the meaning that young people should deeply reflect on their status as adults at least once, and the older generation should take interest in helping youth grow into responsible members of society.

The support target is those born in 2002 who are Songpa residents reaching adulthood this year, and who have continuously registered their residence and lived in Songpa for more than one year from before August 31, 2020, until the time of payment. Those born in 2002 whose birthdays have not yet passed are also included.

The support fund is 200,000 KRW per person. It will be provided as Songpa Love Gift Certificates (mobile Zero Pay) to be used for self-development and cultural activities. The scale of support is about 6,000 people, totaling 1.2 billion KRW, fully funded by the district.

The application period is from September 1 to 30. Applications can be made through the ‘Coming-of-Age Support Fund Application Menu’ after signing up on the Songpa District website. No additional documents are required.

Applicants who apply before mid-September will receive the payment before Chuseok, and those who apply later will receive it in early October.

For other inquiries, check the ‘Notices and Announcements’ on the Songpa District Office website from the 25th or call the Job Policy Officer at Songpa District Office.

Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa District, said, “Although various youth policies are being implemented nationwide, for those taking their first step into society as adults, support is limited to congratulatory cards or letters.” He added, “Based on the Coming-of-Age Support Fund, we will diversify the target groups of youth policies and actively implement policies that have a high impact on young people.”

To discover youth policies, Songpa District formed the ‘Songpa Youth Network’ in 2019 and is promoting initiatives such as the youth-proposed Songpa Youth Job Mentoring Platform ‘Songpul,’ assigning youth members to various Songpa District committees, and operating ‘Songpa Youth TV’ on YouTube.