Suncheon City Holds 'Jeonggeoun Damso' to Share Youth Concerns Together

Collecting Opinions on Effective Youth Policies from the Perspective of Young People

They are taking a commemorative photo after having a warm conversation. (Photo by Suncheon City)

[Suncheon=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Heo Seok) announced on the 8th that it held a warm conversation time with about 30 young people at the Global Webtoon Center the day before to share the concerns of the times.

The conversation was organized to communicate what kind of support policies are practically needed for young people by gathering youth from various fields.

A young participant in the warm conversation suggested easing the support criteria, saying that startups and one-person companies have difficulties receiving employment subsidies through Suncheon City's youth job creation projects.

They also requested support so that youth organizations active in Daehak-ro can collaborate and carry out community projects together.

In response, Mayor Heo Seok said he would do his best to help young entrepreneurs such as startups to sprout, and would spare no administrative support to help young people become independent by preparing institutional measures.

He also advised that while it is good for young people to get employed by companies, they should actively consider starting businesses with good ideas to provide jobs to others, and that they should think from a long-term perspective so as not to be hindered by settling for short-term youth job support projects when seeking stable jobs.

Furthermore, Mayor Heo said he understands that young people have various concerns not only about jobs but also about marriage, child-rearing, and more, and since it is impossible to solve all problems at once, the wisdom to gradually solve important issues one by one according to each person's priorities is most important.

Mayor Heo Seok of Suncheon said, “Despite the COVID-19 crisis, Suncheon City has attracted many domestic and foreign companies through the establishment of three major oases related to the magnesium industry, fermented food industry support center, where people and companies gather to create jobs,” adding, “In particular, while promoting the magnesium commercialization support project, we are cooperating with about 20 small and medium-sized enterprises manufacturing magnesium materials and parts in Korea. Among them, 8 companies have completed relocation to Suncheon’s Haeryong Industrial Complex, and 14 companies are in the process of relocating. In the long term, if a magnesium material and parts ecosystem, which is an ultra-lightweight material, is established in Suncheon, more quality jobs will be created.”

Mayor Heo Seok, who led the warm conversation, said, “I hope that young people will make good use of spaces such as Suncheon Youth Center, Global Webtoon Center, and Jeonnam Contents Korea Lab, which are places for youth to play, and continuously discuss and exchange ideas through a horizontal network to bring about change and development,” adding, “The strength of youth lies in fiercely confronting challenges and preparing for the future, and I will do my best to activate communication with young people going forward.”