[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced on the 30th that it will operate a healing program at the National Youth Didim Center (hereinafter Didim Center) in the first half of this year for adolescents who have difficulties in relationships with family and peers due to emotional and behavioral problems.
When adolescents enter the Didim Center, experts observe their daily lives and conduct counseling to identify the causes and characteristics of problematic behaviors. Based on this, they provide mental rehabilitation counseling and treatment, therapeutic care, cultural and career activities, alternative education, and programs involving guardians.
Since the Didim Center is designated as an alternative education consignment institution by 17 metropolitan and provincial offices of education nationwide, adolescents are credited with school attendance days while participating in the program.
The healing program is operated at two Didim Centers in Yongin and Daegu. At the Yongin Didim Center, weekend care services are also provided for residents who find it difficult to return home on weekends, such as adolescents living in youth shelters.
The first half of the year includes a long-term course of 16 weeks and a short-term course of 11 nights and 12 days. Applications can be made through the Didim Center website or local youth counseling and welfare centers.
The Didim Center is operated with lottery funds from the Lottery Commission and has provided healing services to over 7,800 adolescents in the past 10 years.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is building additional Didim Centers in Iksan, Jeonbuk, and Gwangju to improve accessibility for local youth. They are scheduled to open in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
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