Learning Spaces and Studios Available
Over 570,000 Visitors at Seoul Youth Center Last Year
Youth Spaces Operated by Each District Also Popular
On a weekday afternoon, the Seoul Youth Center in Dobong-gu, Seoul was visited. The desks and spaces prepared for studying on the first and second floors were almost fully occupied. Many young people were working on their laptops or studying with books open.
There was a notice stating that the facility is intended for those aged 19 to 39, and most visitors were in their 20s and 30s. A job seeker, Mr. An (25), whom we met there, explained, "It's not easy to study in a one-room apartment, so I have to come out every day, but the cost of study rooms or coffee is too burdensome, making it difficult. I frequently use the youth center where I can study for free without feeling pressured."
Recently, more young people have been visiting centers operated by local governments such as Seoul City. This is interpreted as an increase in demand for free study spaces amid ongoing employment difficulties and high inflation.
The Seoul Youth Center, operated by Seoul City and the Seoul Metropolitan Youth Center, is a space that any youth can use without restrictions. Currently, it operates in 15 locations across Seoul, including Dobong-gu, Mapo-gu, and Seocho-gu. Most centers are located near subway stations, enhancing accessibility for young people who rely heavily on public transportation. In addition to study spaces, the centers offer facilities such as meeting rooms equipped with beam projectors and studios for video interviews, all available at prices lower than market rates.
The young people we met that day unanimously said, "Having a free space to use in times like these eases our worries." Mr. Lim (23), who is preparing for an internship after taking a leave of absence from university, said, "In these difficult times for employment, it's great to be able to do something for free." He added, "I've visited several youth centers, and all are conveniently located near subway stations, which is good for accessibility." Mr. Lee (28), who is preparing for a job change after resigning, said, "I rented a studio inside the center for a video interview. If I had to find and prepare it on my own, it would have cost a lot of money and time, but I was able to use it comfortably."
The number of visitors to the Seoul Youth Center has been rapidly increasing over the past three years. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Youth Center, the total number of users of the center spaces last year reached 574,308. This is more than 16 times the 34,040 users in 2021. Even when calculated arithmetically based on the number of days the centers were open, the number of users increased about eightfold. For this year, as of June, 396,241 people have visited, indicating that more young people are expected to use the centers than last year.
Additionally, the number of local districts establishing additional youth spaces is gradually increasing. Among the 25 autonomous districts in Seoul, 13 are confirmed to be operating separate spaces that young people can use for free.
‘Gwanak Youth Center,’ operated by Gwanak-gu in Seoul, opened in May last year and is seeing a rapid increase in monthly users. It provides activity spaces for youth interaction as well as youth-tailored programs related to employment, jobs, and welfare. A representative from Gwanak Youth Center said, "We expected about 20,000 visitors this year, but as of the end of August, already 63,000 people have visited the center. We also hold events such as employment capacity-building programs and one-day classes, which have received positive responses, so we plan to expand support further."
Ms. Choi Hyesu (24), a job seeker who spends most weekdays at the center, said, "Studying in cafes is socially frowned upon, so I avoided it, but the youth center is comfortable to use." She added, "I found that each district seems to have a youth center, so the accessibility is good, and I think positively about it."
A meeting for the youth support project is being held at Gwanak Youth Center located in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. [Photo by Yeom Dayeon]
Reflecting this demand, Seoul City plans to expand the number of youth centers. A center in Seongbuk-gu is scheduled to open in the first half of next year, and in the second half of 2026, a center will be established within the Yeonhui public housing in Seodaemun-gu. The city is also positively discussing plans to establish centers in Jung-gu and other districts.
A Seoul City official said, "Since 2022, the city has established a policy to restructure youth spaces at the city level and is discussing installing one center per autonomous district. As we have confirmed the increasing demand for spaces that young people can use, we will strive to increase related facilities."
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