Selected for Ministry of Employment and Labor's Youth Growth Project
Gwanak District and Sillim-dong Sseurirum Join Forces with the Seoul Gwanak Branch
Step-by-Step Growth Program for Youth Aged 15 to 39
From Self-Recovery to Career Planning
According to recent data from Statistics Korea, as of February, the number of young people who were "just resting"?meaning they were neither seeking employment nor working for any particular reason?reached approximately 530,000, the highest figure ever recorded.
To prevent young people from becoming disconnected from economic activity due to prolonged unemployment and from transitioning into the category of those who are "just resting," Gwanak District (headed by Mayor Park Junhee) is taking action.
In February, the district was selected for the "2025 Youth Growth Project (Youth Cafe)" organized by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and subsequently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Seoul Gwanak Branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor. In addition, "Sillim-dong Sseurirum," one of Gwanak District's representative youth spaces, was designated as a youth cafe, paving the way for the full-scale implementation of the project.
The Youth Growth Project offers an "accompaniment program" for young people who have given up on job searching or find it difficult to restart, providing career exploration, job competency enhancement, and guidance in finding direction in their lives.
To support the step-by-step growth of young people, the district plans to operate customized programs including: initial consultations; guidance on youth employment policies; psychological counseling and mindfulness workshops; career exploration and job planning consultations; job experience and mentoring from current professionals; basic and practical training for newcomers to the workforce; and community-based networking and activities.
The district will also provide ongoing monitoring and follow-up mentoring even after the program concludes. In addition, "parent education" will be offered so that families can participate in supporting youth development together.
The Youth Growth Project, which is open to adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 39, will run until December. Applications can be submitted each month via the Gwanak District Office website (Participation/Reservation → Apply for Participation → Class/Event Reservation) or the Sillim-dong Sseurirum blog.
Mayor Park Junhee stated, "Warm and practical support is needed so that young people who have stepped back from competition and are 'taking a break' can reconnect with society," adding, "Through the Youth Growth Project, Gwanak District will provide care for young people's well-being and help them rediscover their direction in life."
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