Youth Policy to Promote 'Youth Population U-Turn', Ages 25-39 on the Rise
Full Support for Youth Growth, All-Out Effort to Create Youth-Friendly Cities
The youth policies of Gumi City, North Gyeongsang Province, are showing tangible results.
According to an analysis of population movement in the first half of 2024, the number of young people in the employment age group (25-39) in Gumi City increased by 130.
In particular, based on the male-centered industrial structure, the phenomenon of young men returning to jobs in Gumi is progressing rapidly. This contrasts with last year, when there was an outflow of people from Gumi across all age groups.
With the return of young men signaling a turning point, Gumi City is making every effort to be designated as a 'youth-friendly city' by the government. Since July, the city has operated the Youth Women's Policy Planning Group, expanding housing support and increasing opportunities for policy participation to create a better living environment for young people.
▲ Full Operation of Policy System for Youth
In September, the city plans to operate a 'Comprehensive Task Force for Preventing Youth Outflow' to encourage young people to settle in the region. Chaired directly by the mayor of Gumi, the task force will collaborate with each department to review existing policies from the perspective of the youth population and identify new tasks. Upgraded from the Youth Women's Policy Planning Group previously chaired by the vice mayor, this task force will play a pivotal role in preparing comprehensive measures for all youth.
The city is also accelerating the creation of youth activity hubs. A youth hub space is being established at Gumi Station, and a Youth-Small Business Coexistence Center will be set up in Munhwaro. In April, 'Youth Imagination Maru' opened in the Kumo Market, where 12 young artists are currently engaged in creative activities.
▲ Expanding Housing Support for Worry-Free Living in Gumi
The city is also implementing policies to ease the housing burden. In August, a new youth monthly rent support program was launched, relaxing income criteria for those excluded from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's temporary special monthly rent support project.
Through this, about 1,000 young people are expected to benefit this year, and up to 800,000 KRW in support is being provided through the youth deposit/lease loan interest support program.
Next year, a new housing support project will be introduced for 100 young people from the Seoul metropolitan area to settle in Gumi. This is expected to increase the inflow rate and address the issue of vacant one-room apartments in the Gangdong area, achieving two goals at once.
▲ Establishing a Safety Ladder for Young Women's Startups
To attract more young women, the city is reorganizing its startup support programs. The existing youth startup support project will add specialized training courses for women entrepreneurs, and support for startups in the arts, such as workshops and music cafes, will be strengthened in the Kumo Market area.
In addition, the city is fostering a stable startup environment through youth startup support projects, operation of makerspaces, and support for local settlement of young entrepreneurs.
▲ Revitalizing the Community through Youth Participation
The city is also supporting various activities to encourage youth participation in the local community. The 'Gumi-Young Energy (Youth Activity Support) Project,' utilizing 100 million KRW in hometown love donations, provides young people with opportunities to contribute directly to the region. On September 21, the Gumi Running Crew held the GRC Project, and on the 28th, the Indong Youth Council will host the Indong Rodeo Youth Street Festival.
On October 2, the 2nd Gumi City Youth Day event, 'Gumi-Young Festa,' will be held at Kumoh National Institute of Technology. To meet the cultural needs of young people, the Youth Festival Planning Group 'Goopy-D' (Gumi-Young Fiesta Director) will participate, adding meaning to the event.
Goopy-D is a youth festival planning group for the 2024 Youth Day event 'Gumi-Young Festa,' launched in May and consisting of 18 members.
To further activate youth policy participation, in May, the new student council presidents of four local universities were newly appointed to the 3rd Gumi City Youth Policy Committee, and the city is also opening channels for community participation through the Youth Policy Participation Group.
Mayor Kim Jangho said, "The youth population is a crucial factor that will determine the future of Gumi City," adding, "We will establish a foundation for young people to live and grow stably in Gumi and leap forward as a youth-friendly city."
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