Gwangju Seo-gu Signs Business Agreement for 'Youth Family Care Discovery Support'

Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Kim Ikang) announced on the 24th that it signed the 2nd business agreement for the ‘Family Care Youth Discovery Support Project’ on the previous day at the Nanum Hall on the 3rd floor of Seo-gu Office.

This business agreement was attended by representatives from 11 organizations, including the Seo-gu Community Social Security Council and the Gwangju Metropolitan City Western Education Support Office.

The term "family care youth" refers to young people who care for family members with disabilities, mental or physical illnesses, or drug-related issues, also known as "Young Carers." Interest in family care youth has increased nationwide following incidents of caregiving-related murders.

In 2022, Seo-gu established a cooperative system among related organizations for discovering and supporting family care youth through the first agreement, which focused on providing services by sector, discovering subjects, and promoting the project. Last year, Seo-gu enacted an ordinance to support family care youth and became the first in the nation to provide family care youth allowances.

To strengthen the social care network built so far, this new agreement added two organizations, Save the Children and World Vision Mujin Comprehensive Social Welfare Center, for post-management of family care youth.

Kim Ikang, Mayor of Seo-gu, said, “We will take the lead in developing customized care policies unique to Seo-gu that actively support young people with the community, so that our youth, who are responsible for the future, do not face unequal starting points due to family care issues.”

Reporter Dongho Shin, Honam Coverage Headquarters, Asia Economy baekok@asiae.co.kr