In Dobong-gu, Youth Aged 19 to 45!

Dobong-gu, the first autonomous district in Seoul to raise the youth age limit to 45

The district revises the Youth Basic Ordinance, raising the youth age from 39 to 45

The number of district residents benefiting from youth policies increases from about 80,000 to 100,000

Various policy projects promoted for youth independence, including housing stability and employment/startups

First autonomous district in Seoul to utilize youth fund for ‘Youth Housing and Startup Space Lease Deposit Loan Project’

Dobong-gu (Mayor Oh Eon-seok) is making efforts to guarantee a happy life for youth and establish a more systematic and stable foundation for youth policies by newly creating a dedicated youth department in the 8th local government administration.

The district amended the Dobong-gu Youth Basic Ordinance to raise the youth age range from 19?39 to 19?45, becoming the first autonomous district in Seoul to do so.

This is a proactive measure in response to the ongoing decline in the youth population, increasing the number of youth in Dobong-gu benefiting from youth policies from about 80,000 (youth population ratio 25.8%) to about 100,000 (youth population ratio 34.9%).

As the youth population increases, the district plans to financially support this by enacting the 'Dobong-gu Youth Fund Ordinance' to establish a youth fund. Utilizing the established fund, Dobong-gu will be the first autonomous district in Seoul to promote the ‘Youth Housing and Startup Space Lease Deposit Loan Project’ to support youth who lack a foundation for independence.

Administrative efforts will also focus on youth aspiring to start businesses. To create a startup ecosystem where local youth companies can grow independently, the district plans to open a new ‘Youth Startup Support Center’ at ‘Seed Cube Changdong,’ scheduled for completion in July this year, to support prospective youth entrepreneurs. Additionally, the ‘Small and Medium Business Startup Incubation Center’ will be expanded and relocated to systematically and progressively incubate startups.

In January of this year, young music creators are playing music together at Eum Studio in Chang-dong, Dobong-gu.

Furthermore, among the nurtured startup companies, those with growth potential will be selected and supported to move into the ‘Seoul Startup Hub Changdong.’ Companies that have strengthened their self-sustainability at the ‘Seoul Startup Hub Changdong’ will then be settled back at ‘Seed Cube Changdong,’ establishing a virtuous cycle that allows youth to continuously engage in entrepreneurial activities within the region.

In addition, to provide a space where local youth can form networks and freely engage in activities, the ‘Seoul Youth Center Dobong Orang’ will be established in May, delivering various youth support policies and offering customized services tailored to diverse youth needs.

The district also plans policies for 19-year-old youth taking their first steps into society as adults. The ‘Youth Social First Start Support Fund’ is targeted for implementation in the second half of 2023, with ordinance revision procedures underway.

Oh Eon-seok, Mayor of Dobong-gu, stated, “The goal of this 8th local government administration is to provide opportunities for local youth to grow steadily and step-by-step,” adding, “To this end, the district will focus on preparing policies to create an environment where youth can become independent through housing stability, employment, and startups.”