[Interview] Yuseonghun, Geumcheon District Mayor, "Leap to a Vibrant Economic City Overflowing with Jobs"

Geumcheon Youth Dream Center Supports Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship through Future Job Experience Center Creation
Geumcheon-gu and G-Valley Promote Mutual Growth... Establishing a Business-Friendly Environment
Creating Customized Local Jobs with Geumcheon Job Corporation

"Creating and maintaining good jobs is directly linked to improving residents' quality of life and is the best form of welfare."

Yoo Seong-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, stated in an interview with this publication, "By utilizing the specialized infrastructure of G-Valley, we will create an employment-friendly corporate environment and generate high-quality jobs tailored to Geumcheon's unique characteristics, making it a city where all residents can work happily."

According to the '2023 First Half Regional Employment Survey Key Employment Indicators by Si/Gun/Gu' released by Statistics Korea on the 22nd of last month, Geumcheon-gu ranks 22nd in population among Seoul's 25 autonomous districts but holds 3rd place in employment rate at 62.6%. Notably, the youth employment rate for ages 15-29 is 63.9%, the highest nationwide.

Mayor Yoo said, "The 2nd and 3rd complexes of G-Valley (Seoul Digital Industrial Complex) located in Gasan-dong, Geumcheon-gu, are representative centers for job creation, housing about 9,600 companies and employing approximately 100,000 people. We are focusing on employment and startup policies for youth so that young people attracted by G-Valley can settle in our district."

The district established 'Cheongchun Building,' the first youth activity space created by a local government, and supported customized youth housing such as G-Valley House and social-mix public rental housing in Gasan-dong. By the end of this year, a nine-story youth startup space called 'Geumcheon Youth Dream Center' will be established in Doksan-dong. After opening, it will be used for educational programs supporting startups and as a residence for youth startup organizations. The district also operates a Youth Future Fund to foster youth entrepreneurship. By 2022, a total of 2 billion KRW was accumulated, and this year, 50 million KRW was provided to the 'Global Company-G-Valley Startup Open Innovation' project to nurture excellent startups.

Efforts are also underway to enhance youth employment capabilities through talent development projects. The Geumcheon Campus of the Youth Employment Academy, established in 2021, offers curricula reflecting new technology trends such as cloud computing and big data to boost young people's digital competitiveness. This year, a business agreement was signed with Chung-Ang University to carry out the 'Campus Town Talent Development Project.' Utilizing Chung-Ang University's resources, the project provides theoretical and practical education followed by job support through a job support center and matching with local companies, involving a total of 60 young participants. Next year, the district plans to operate a Future Job Experience Center. Mayor Yoo introduced, "Using the space of the Doksan 3-dong Career and Academic Support Center, scheduled for completion in 2024, we plan to provide a 4th Industrial Revolution experience zone equipped with 3D printers and coding devices, along with various educational programs about future careers."

He also emphasized, "The revitalization of G-Valley, the core of Geumcheon's economic growth, directly leads to jobs for residents," and expressed plans for coexistence with G-Valley. In December last year, the Geumcheon-G-Valley Development Council, a public-private network, was formed to promote mutual growth between Geumcheon-gu and G-Valley. Mayor Yoo explained, "Together with the Geumcheon-G-Valley Development Council, we discuss current issues and explore development plans for G-Valley, while concretizing the establishment of the Geumcheon Industrial Promotion Agency, a dedicated organization to lead the co-growth of the local economy."

Additionally, the district fosters a business-friendly environment by operating various support facilities such as the Corporate Support Center, Corporate Citizen Hall, and G-Valley Startup Welfare Center. It also supports G-Valley companies in expanding sales channels and globalization through advanced industry exhibitions and export consultation meetings inviting overseas buyers. Efforts are ongoing to create stable management conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the SME Development Fund, providing worker welfare points (600,000 KRW per person annually), and resident employment subsidies (500,000 KRW per person monthly).

Since establishing Geumcheon Job Corporation in 2020, the district has actively developed community-based jobs suited to Geumcheon's characteristics. 'CAFE_INN,' a caf? operated by diverse groups including youth, women with career interruptions, and seniors, has expanded to two locations. The district also runs service projects outsourcing facility management (cleaning, parking, etc.) for public institutions within the area. Mayor Yoo said, "We plan to link G-Valley with the Job Corporation to provide stable and quality jobs. Starting in September, we will implement the 'G-Sik (食, 識, 息) Project,' a food delivery service connected to group cafeterias within G-Valley."

Unique jobs for vulnerable groups in the employment market, such as seniors and people with disabilities, have also been created in Geumcheon-gu. The 'Together Green Caf?,' operated by senior baristas, started with its first branch in 2019 and has expanded to five locations. Seoul's first senior convenience store, 'Good Store,' opened its third branch this year following the second in 2021. Additionally, the 'Developmental Disability Orchestra Disability Awareness Instructor' is a newly launched specialized job project for people with developmental disabilities this year, with plans to add projects such as 'Wheelchair Cleaning Service' next year and continue expanding.

Mayor Yoo added, "We are also focusing on direct job matching projects that can achieve tangible results locally. To connect companies struggling with recruitment and job seekers, we operate job centers and run various programs such as Ilgu Day, job fairs, and Job Matching Days." Through these efforts, the district has helped over 1,300 people find jobs this year alone.

Finally, Yoo Seong-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, concluded, "At the start of the 8th local government term, I promised residents the creation of 47,000 jobs during my term, and after a year, we have achieved about 13,800. We will continue to spare no effort to make Geumcheon-gu the economic hub of the southwestern region, overflowing with jobs."