Increase from 100,000 to 200,000 Won and Abolition of 'Application Year Restriction'
Support for Veterans with Mandatory Service Extended up to Age 42
Yangcheon-gu, Seoul (Mayor Lee Gi-jae) announced on the 2nd that it will significantly expand the ‘Youth National Qualification Exam Fee Support Project’ starting this year to reduce the economic burden on unemployed local youth and help develop their employment capabilities.
Yangcheon-gu, District Mayor Lee Gi-jae having a conversation with youth at the Seoul Youth Center Yangcheon. Provided by Yangcheon-gu.
Following last year’s expansion of support to cover all national qualifications across approximately 900 types, this year the support amount will be doubled from the previous 100,000 KRW to a maximum of 200,000 KRW.
To enhance convenience, the ‘application year restriction,’ which allowed support only in the first year of application, has also been abolished. Accordingly, youths who received support in 2023 and 2024 can apply for the difference, enabling them to receive support over multiple years within the support amount limit.
The eligible applicants are youths aged between 19 and 39 (as of the application date) who have continuously resided in Yangcheon-gu with their resident registration before January 1 of this year until the application date, and who are unemployed without business registration.
In particular, starting this year, discharged veterans who have completed mandatory military service can extend the age limit by up to 3 years according to their service period, allowing support up to age 42. This aims to provide fair opportunities to discharged veterans who had limited chances to take qualification exams due to military service, offering practical benefits to youths who faced difficulties preparing for employment because of their service.
The support covers language tests (TOEIC, OPIC, TEPS, G-TELP, etc.), basic and advanced Korean History Proficiency Tests, national (official) qualifications, and is limited to exams taken in the current year, with a maximum of 200,000 KRW per person. Applications can be submitted online through the Yangcheon-gu Office website until December 10, and the program may close early if the budget is exhausted.
Meanwhile, the ‘Youth National Qualification Exam Fee Support Project,’ newly established in 2023, has received great response by supporting about 2,830 youths with approximately 190 million KRW over the past two years. Additionally, the district supports youth employment activities in various ways, including operating youth employment education programs, running a youth job cafe, hosting the Yangcheon Youth Academy, and holding youth job fairs.
Mayor Lee Gi-jae stated, “We have significantly expanded the project so that local youths can pursue their dreams without worrying about qualification exam fees,” and added, “We will continue to nurture the potential of youths through various job support policies and create a Yangcheon-gu where young people can take pride.”
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