Dobong-gu Accelerates Creating a 'Young and Vibrant Dobong' Ideal for Youth
Youth Policies on Jobs, Startups, Housing... Results from Youth Communication
Dobong-style Youth Internship and Experiential Policies Receive Strong Response
Youth Age Limit Raised from 39 to 45, Public Institutions, Companies, Overseas Internships, Youth Employment Support Center and Youth Startup Center Established...
Oh Eun-seok, Mayor of Dobong District, is giving a greeting speech at the opening ceremony of the Youth Startup Center last May.
Since the launch of the 8th term of the civilian government, Dobong-gu (Mayor Oh Eon-seok) has continuously introduced youth policies.
From establishing legal and institutional support measures to implementing support projects that can be tangibly felt, Dobong-gu’s youth policies have been evaluated by local youth as “practical support for necessary areas that truly resonates.” This is the result of constant communication with young people and reflecting their opinions in the policies.
The starting point of youth policies is laying the foundation
The district first focused on creating a foundation for youth policies so that young people could grow in Dobong. In January 2023, it established the “Youth Future Division,” which is dedicated to youth policies. Currently, this division oversees youth policies related to employment, housing stability, and more.
In April of last year, through the revision of the “Dobong-gu Youth Basic Ordinance,” Dobong-gu became the first autonomous district in Seoul to raise the upper age limit for youth from 39 to 45. This measure reflects the current era’s trends, considering the increased average lifespan and the district’s overall average age of 47, and is a proactive response to the “super-aged society.” The number of youth policy beneficiaries increased from 80,000 to 100,000, and with the age limit raised, there is now room to plan “middle-aged policies” for those aged 46 to 64 who had previously been in a blind spot.
As the number of beneficiaries increased, the district quickly secured the accompanying budget. In August of the same year, it established a “Youth Fund” of 2 billion KRW, laying a stable financial foundation for discovering and promoting youth policies.
Making Changdong a youth startup hub... from nurturing companies to creating jobs
After expanding the number of youth policy beneficiaries and securing resources, the district has been actively supporting youth employment and startups.
In May this year, the district opened the Youth Startup Center, an incubating space for youth startups. The “Youth Startup Center” provides startup spaces and support measures to help startups grow steadily from the initial stage. The center is located in Seed Cube Changdong, a hub for startups and cultural industries, offering an optimal location for business operations. Currently, 21 youth startup companies, including those producing 3D content, are housed there, where young entrepreneurs actively exchange ideas and develop their capabilities.
The district plans to develop Changdong into a genuine youth startup hub through the establishment of the Youth Startup Center. At the center’s opening ceremony on May 24, Mayor Oh Eon-seok of Dobong-gu stated, “We will create a robust startup ecosystem by linking the center with Startup Hub Changdong and Seed Cube Changdong.”
On the same day as the center’s opening, the district signed a “Dobong-gu Enterprise Growth Support Agreement” with the Seoul Business Agency. This aims to foster startup companies and promote regional growth, with plans to nurture excellent companies and create quality jobs for local youth.
The district is also working to build employment infrastructure to help promising young talents succeed in finding jobs. In May this year, Dobong-gu became the first autonomous district in Seoul to establish a “Youth Employment Support Center” on the first floor of the district office building. The center supports all stages necessary for employment, from preparation to final acceptance. It is equipped with spaces for certification and exam preparation, a suit rental room, video interview rooms, and counseling rooms.
The district is also promoting the “Dobong-type Youth Internship” program, considering the job market’s preference for experienced workers. The Dobong-type Youth Internship program consists of three types: “Public Institution Internship,” “Corporate Practical Internship,” and the “Overseas Internship,” which was the first of its kind implemented by a Seoul autonomous district. Currently, 20 local youth are interning at 19 public institutions and companies, and 12 youths are gaining internship experience overseas in places such as Los Angeles, USA.
Support for nurturing future talents suitable for the Fourth Industrial Revolution era is also being provided. At the “Youth Employment Academy Dobong Campus,” established in December last year as a digital talent training institution, practical professional education is offered in fields such as artificial intelligence and software development that can be directly applied in corporate settings. Furthermore, through matching between companies and graduates, the program leads to actual employment.
Establishing a stable residential foundation... leading to local settlement
Once an environment where young people can be active is created, the next step is to provide housing for youth.
The district is making great efforts to provide high-quality housing at prices lower than market rates for homeless youth. In July last year, to attract young populations and foster a startup and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Changdong area, the district collaborated with Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation and Housing & Urban Guarantee Corporation to specially supply 200 youth housing units in Seed Cube Changdong at about 70% of the market price.
Additionally, to improve the residential environment for youth engaged in startups and music activities, 48 units of “job-linked housing” were secured within Changdong Aureune. Near these residences are “Seoul Startup Hub Changdong,” “Seed Cube Changdong Office,” “Dobong-gu Youth Startup Center,” and “Small and Medium Enterprise Startup Incubation Center,” enabling linkage with startup and creative activities.
Mayor Oh Eon-seok of Dobong-gu said, “The district will continue to implement various youth policies to create a ‘young and vibrant Dobong-gu’ where youth want to live.”
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