‘Making Pohang a Place to Live!’... Seeking Solutions from Youth Leading Pohang's Future

‘Youth-Led Residential Environment, Finding Answers in Pohang’ Themed Youth Forum

Mayor Lee, “Pohang’s Challenge Dreaming of the Local Era, Together with Youth”

On the 26th, Pohang City held the ‘Pohang Youth Forum 2024’ at the Pohang Youth Center & Youth Startup Platform under the theme ‘Youth-led Residential Environment, Finding the Answer in Pohang!’

On the 26th, Pohang City held a youth forum at the Pohang Youth Center & Youth Startup Platform under the theme "Youth-Led Residential Environment, Finding the Answer in Pohang!"

Co-hosted by the city and the Pohang Youth Policy Coordination Committee, the event was organized to seek solutions for improving the residential environment for local youth led by young people themselves and to activate networking among the younger generation.

Before the forum, Mayor Lee Kang-deok encouraged those who contributed to the promotion of youth policies by presenting commendations.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok said, “I hope that through this youth-led youth forum, a deep consensus will be formed on leading regional development,” adding, “I hope that young people will join Pohang’s bold dreams and challenges to complete the true era of local autonomy.”

The forum featured keynote speakers including Park Joo-hee, Secretary General of the Youth Foundation under the Prime Minister’s Office, Professor Joo Jae-won of Handong University, and student Cho Yoon-kyung from POSTECH.

Secretary General Park Joo-hee spoke on the theme ‘How Does Youth Policy Move Society?’ emphasizing that future youth policies should be designed as public-private cooperation models to help youth facing new crises, and that youth-friendly cities open their paths when youth policies work together with local communities.

Professor Joo Jae-won of Handong University, under the theme ‘Youth Jobs and Regional Competitiveness,’ explained that to solve the crisis of regional extinction caused by concentration in the metropolitan area, it is essential to support jobs for women in their 20s and 30s and the cultural environment where they can stay, which can lead to an increase in the local population.

POSTECH student Cho Yoon-kyung shared her experiences and presented on life in Pohang after entering POSTECH, showcasing her unique MZ generation wit.

During the subsequent open discussion, chaired by Lee Jong-seung, head of the Pohang Youth Policy Coordination Committee, the keynote speakers and Kwon Hyuk-won, Director of Pohang City’s Job and Economy Bureau, continued the discussion.

They discussed the direction youth policies should take for regional development and the importance of youth roles, responding candidly to realistic questions from about 100 young attendees, fostering communication.

The second part of the event was a networking session where young attendees shared dinner, with Jajangmyeon generously donated by Oh Tae-pil, head of the Nam-gu branch of the Korea Foodservice Industry Association in Pohang.

The third part was a talk concert featuring comedians Kim Young-hee and Jung Beom-gyun, famous for the comedy show ‘Communication King Maljae Halmae,’ who engaged with the youth through stand-up comedy. Comedian Kim Young-hee delivered warm comfort and inspiration to the youth with witty and sincere responses.

Son Dong-kwang, co-chairman of the city’s Youth Policy Coordination Committee, said, “I hope the Youth Foundation, which serves as a hub for youth centers nationwide, will play a role in conveying the diverse voices of youth raised at this forum to society,” adding, “We will work together to expand various policy supports for local youth.”

Secretary General Park Joo-hee responded, “As a partner connecting youth, policy, local areas, and the central government, I will faithfully fulfill the role of improving residential conditions for youth.”

The Youth Policy Forum is held once a year, selecting topics related to Pohang’s future.