Seoul to Convert 'Support Project for Settlement of Middle-Entry Youth' to Private Consignment Starting Next Year

End of Public-Private Partnership 'Seoul On Dream Education Center' Project Since 2015, City to Operate from Next Year
Open Recruitment for Name of Support Center for Midway Immigrant Youth

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City announced on the 28th that it will transfer the support center to private consignment starting next year, as part of a public-private cooperation project that has comprehensively supported middle-entry immigrant youth’s stable settlement in Korean society since 2015 through Korean language education, naturalization exams, and more.

The ‘Seoul On Dream Education Center,’ whose project ends this year, has been used by 22,543 middle-entry immigrant youth, and in the first half of this year, 6,331 people utilized the center for Korean language education, career counseling, and customized programs.

Through the privately consigned center, Seoul City plans to provide comprehensive support to middle-entry immigrant youth, including basic Korean language education necessary for adapting to Korean life, qualification exams, naturalization tests, education on understanding Korean society, professional counseling, and user-tailored programs. The goal is to assist youth who face difficulties due to insufficient Korean language skills and lack of information about Korean society.

Accordingly, Seoul City will hold a public contest to collect new center names from the 30th until October 22nd. Any citizen interested in foreigner policies can participate regardless of region or age. Applicants can submit their entries by filling out and sending the application form to the designated submission office within the period.

The winning entries will be selected through a two-stage review process: the first stage by an internal screening and the second by a panel of external experts. A total of eight names will be chosen. The final rankings will be announced in early November on the Seoul City website and the Naesonane Seoul platform. The eight final names will be used as the official name for the Seoul City middle-entry immigrant youth support center, which will operate from next year, after citizen voting and expert consultations.

Kim Seon-soon, Director of the Seoul City Women and Family Policy Office, said, “This will be an opportunity for citizens to recognize the concept of middle-entry immigrant youth,” adding, “Seoul City will do its best to help middle-entry immigrant youth grow into healthy members of Korean society.”