Key Focus on Jobs, Housing, Education, and Welfare
Job-Seeking Allowance, Work Experience Dream Project, and Startup Special Guarantee Included
Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong is presiding over the Youth Policy Coordination Committee meeting held in the small conference room at City Hall on the afternoon of the 20th. Photo by Gwangju City
Gwangju City will invest a total project budget of 334.6 billion KRW this year to implement 96 youth programs across 28 departments. The city aims to become an "Opportunity City for Youth to Achieve Their Dreams" by introducing policies that meet local youths' expectations and are tangible in their daily lives.
On the 20th, Gwangju City held a meeting of the Youth Policy Coordination Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Committee) in the small conference room at City Hall, where the "2025 Youth Policy Implementation Plan" was reviewed and approved.
The Committee consists of 26 members, including Mayor Kang Gijung, department heads, youth policy activists, and experts. It is Gwangju's highest youth policy deliberation and decision-making body, responsible for establishing the city's basic youth policy plan, annual implementation plans, reviewing and promoting youth policies requiring decision-making, and setting policy directions.
This year, the Committee will implement 96 youth policies across five areas: ▲Employment ▲Housing ▲Education ▲Welfare & Culture ▲Participation & Rights.
In the employment sector, 45 billion KRW will be allocated to 33 initiatives such as the "Youth Job-Seeking Activity Allowance," "Youth Work Experience Dream Project," and "Youth Startup Special Guarantee." Notably, to address the trend of prolonged job searches, the job-seeking activity allowance will be extended by one month, increasing the total support to 3 million KRW (500,000 KRW per month). The Work Experience Dream Project will be adjusted to reflect youth demand, offering two options: the existing 25 hours per week for 5 months, and a new 40 hours per week for 3 months. The city will also strengthen employment linkage by providing incentives to workplaces that hire participating youth.
In the housing sector, 131.3 billion KRW will be invested in eight projects, including "Temporary Special Support for Youth Monthly Rent," "Customized Youth Housing Deposit Interest Support," as well as housing space support projects such as the "Gwangju Model Integrated Public Rental Housing Construction in Sangmu District" and "Namdo Hakshuk Operation."
In education, 123.8 billion KRW will be allocated to 24 projects, focusing on nurturing local talent and supporting local employment, entrepreneurship, and settlement through the establishment of the "Regional Innovation-led University Support System (RISE)."
In the welfare & culture sector, 32.6 billion KRW will be invested in 24 projects, including expanding the "Gwangju Model Youth Job Retention Savings" to 500 participants, and promoting the "Youth 13 Savings Account," "Youth Dream Bank (Financial Counseling Center)," and "Accident Insurance Support for Youth in Military Service."
In the participation & rights sector, 1.9 billion KRW will be invested in seven projects, including the operation of the "Youth Policy Coordination Committee," "Youth Committee," "Youth Center," and the "Youth Policy Integrated Platform."
Kang Gijung, Mayor of Gwangju and co-chair of the Youth Policy Coordination Committee, stated, "I always feel sorry when I see young people struggling with the dual challenges of employment and marriage in these difficult economic times," adding, "We will foster industries centered on artificial intelligence (AI) and future vehicles, increase startup success rates, and implement stronger and warmer policies to empower youth through our youth policies."
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