[This Person] Moon Seok-jin, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, Communicates with Youth Participation Committee Members through 'Close Talk'

'7th Seodaemun-gu Youth Participation Committee' Wraps Up Year of Achievements Including Participatory Budgeting Operation

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) announced on the 7th that the meeting program between the mayor and the Youth Participation Committee members, called ‘Close Talk,’ was recently held in the main conference room of the district office.

First, Youth Participation Committee members Shin Ji-min (Gajaeul Middle School, Grade 3) and Ji Yoon-seo (Gajaeul Middle School, Grade 3) conducted the games ‘What’s in My Bag’ and ‘Balance,’ creating a time for communication.

Mayor Moon Seok-jin presented items such as a business card, comb, and notebook, while the youth members showed study materials, locker keys, hair ties, etc., explaining their uses and understanding each other’s daily lives.

They also answered questions about which they would choose if possible: ‘being born rich’ or ‘being born smart,’ and ‘going to the past’ or ‘going to the future,’ sharing their values and thoughts.

Next, an interview with the mayor was conducted, moderated by Vice Chair Park Chae-yoon (Yeonbuk Middle School, Grade 3).

The youth members asked questions about the mayor’s duties, and Mayor Moon explained them clearly and simply.

When asked about special policies of the district, he introduced the ‘Seodaemun-gu 100 Families Embrace’ project, which supports a difficult family for a long period through a connection with an individual or organization.

Mayor Moon referred to the phrase from the movie ‘Schindler’s List,’ “Saving one person is saving the world,” conveying the message that “reaching out to one person in our daily lives is truly precious.”

In response to a youth member’s question, “I want to continue participating in the Youth Participation Committee activities but worry because of my studies,” he encouraged by saying, “Engaging in various activities and growing yourself will be a great foundation for living in the future.”

The Seodaemun-gu Youth Participation Committee started in 2015 and is now in its 7th term this year (Chairpersons Son Ji-yeon and Park Joon-sung).

After an open recruitment in March and appointing 35 members in April, the committee concluded its annual activities with this ‘Close Talk’ with the mayor.

Committee member Kim Ja-young (Gajaeul Middle School, Grade 3) shared her thoughts: “It was good to experience policy proposal and drafting, and as a team leader, I was able to mediate opinions among team members and improve problem-solving skills.”

Committee member Byun Jung-won (Inchang High School, Grade 3) said, “It was rewarding to discuss and write policy proposals to solve problems around me,” and recommended committee activities to youths who want to realize policies and form diverse human relationships.

This 7th committee achieved results by reflecting five projects, including the ‘Public Art Project for Youth Cultural Rights,’ in the 2022 district budget through the operation of the ‘Youth Participatory Budget System.’ The 8th committee members will be publicly recruited early next year.

Meanwhile, Moon Seok-jin, who has served as the mayor of Seodaemun-gu for three terms from the 5th to the 7th elected administrations, is drawing attention as his possibility of entering the National Assembly is increasing after Congressman Woo Sang-ho announced he would not run in the 22nd general election following his candidacy in the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election.