[Interview] 'This Man' Who Gave Up Civil Service Appointment to Help Youths Stand on Their Own Feet

Interview with Park Taeyang, Senior Activist of Youth Group 'Hanul'
Gave Up Job to Fully Devote to Supporting Independent Youth
Formed Local Community... Plans to Publish Collected Essays

"The greatest fear felt by young people preparing for independence is the sense of isolation and helplessness that comes with suddenly being alone. While financial support is important, warm societal attention and continuous interest are also necessary."

Park Taeyang (24), a senior activist of the youth organization 'Hanul' who participated in the overseas travel support project 'Dream Making' for youth preparing for independence, held by direct sales travel agency Norangpungseon in Osaka, Japan from the 8th to the 10th, emphasized in an interview with Asia Economy, "Youth preparing for independence experience the fear of being suddenly thrown into the world alone at an age when they should be nurturing their dreams, regardless of their own choices."

Park Taeyang, who participated in the overseas travel support project "Dream Making" for youth preparing for independence, conducted by Norangpungseon in Osaka, Japan from the 8th to the 10th, is explaining the difficulties faced by youth preparing for independence.
[Photo by Norangpungseon]

Youth preparing for independence are those who, due to the absence of parents or lack of suitable guardians, have been under the care of child care facilities, group homes, or foster care facilities, and typically start living independently after the protection period ends at age 18. The term was changed from 'children aging out of care' in the past. Because they have to leave the place where they lived at an early age and social problems arise accordingly, the government amended the Child Welfare Act in 2021 to allow the protection period to be extended up to age 24 if the individual wishes.

Dreamed of Helping Youth Preparing for Independence... Gave Up Passing Civil Service Exam to Establish Organization

Senior activist Park has been active for just over a year after founding the youth organization 'Hanul,' which serves as a focal point for youth preparing for independence. After his parents' divorce, he lived with two younger siblings in a remarried family but entered a group home at age 18 due to abuse issues. As a youth preparing for independence, he majored in social welfare in college and dreamed of becoming a social worker to help young people facing similar difficulties. However, due to COVID-19, it became difficult to complete the practical training required for social welfare certification, so he changed his career track (to education administration) and passed the civil service exam.

While preparing for a career as a civil servant, he changed his mind in August 2022 after two youth preparing for independence in Gwangju Metropolitan City made tragic choices in succession. Park said, "During a civil society meeting, the idea of creating an organization to help youth preparing for independence came up," and added, "I gave up entering the civil service to focus on this activity."

Hanul, the organization he belongs to, means "to be a fence." It communicates with youth preparing for independence in the Gwangju area through social networking services (SNS) and shares support measures. They also run a program called 'Monthly Family,' where participants meet once a month to share a meal and feel the warmth of gathering with family.

Park Taeyang, who participated in the overseas travel support project "Dream Making" for youth preparing for independence, conducted by Norangpungseon in Osaka, Japan from the 8th to the 10th, is urging warm attention and care for youth preparing for independence in an interview with Asia Economy.
[Photo by Norangpungseon]

Increase in Youth Preparing for Independence Due to Rising Divorce Rates... Growing Social and Economic Risks

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Child Rights Protection Agency, the number of youth preparing for independence nationwide has been over 2,000 annually: 2,593 in 2017, 2,606 in 2018, 2,587 in 2019, 2,368 in 2020, and 2,102 in 2021. Park said, "Not only those entering care facilities due to lack of parents or guardians but also youth preparing for independence are increasing due to the rise in divorce rates." Although there are differences by local government, youth preparing for independence typically receive a settlement fund of 10 million KRW and a monthly independence support allowance of about 500,000 KRW for five years. Separately, companies, civic groups, and public institutions provide sponsorships including financial, housing, employment, and scholarship support.

As the difficulties faced by youth preparing for independence are recognized as social issues, some institutional improvements have been made to establish a minimum safety net, but they are still exposed to risks due to inexperience. In fact, one youth preparing for independence was scammed through a loan via a mobile phone by an acquaintance, losing their settlement fund and incurring millions of won in debt, leading to a personal rehabilitation application. Although the period for receiving the independence support allowance was extended from three to five years, most youth preparing for independence are job seekers, and after the five-year period ends, it is difficult to cover basic living expenses such as rent, public utilities, food, and transportation.

"Young People Wandering Alone and Giving Up Dreams... I Want to Fill the Gap"

Another difficulty they frequently mention, alongside economic independence, is career and counseling support. Park said, "Even if they have interests or questions, many young people lose motivation because they have no opportunity to meet someone working in the relevant field," adding, "Because of this, many give up their dreams or fall into simple labor."

He plans to publish a book in June compiling essays from himself and other youth to raise awareness of the lives and difficulties faced by youth preparing for independence. He is also actively proposing policies needed by these youth. Ultimately, his goal is to create a social enterprise that helps youth preparing for independence. Park said, "I want to fill the gaps that cannot be solved by government or private support," and added, "My dream is to give back the help I received as a youth preparing for independence."