Establishing a Local Children's Center in Jipyeong to Address Care Gaps in the Eastern Region
Expanding Interest Subsidies for Housing Loans to Young Newlywed Couples
Building a Foundation for Youth Independence Through Start-up Programs and Job Matching
Aiming to Create a Warm Community with No Welfare Blind Spots
Yangpyeong County in Gyeonggi Province is accelerating efforts to realize a "Healthy Yangpyeong" by establishing a comprehensive care system that covers everyone from children to the elderly and people with disabilities. Through integrated policies that consider the entire life cycle-including childcare, education, housing, welfare, and elderly care-the county is working to build a sustainable local community.
Jin Jeon, Yangpyeong County Governor (fifth from the left), is taking a commemorative photo after the opening ceremony of the "Youth Rest Cafe and Together Care Center" last year. Provided by Yangpyeong County
As of the end of April, the county reported that there were about 15,000 children living in Yangpyeong, accounting for approximately 12% of the total population. With the goal of creating an environment conducive to raising children, the county is addressing after-school care gaps and ensuring children's access to cultural activities by operating seven local children's centers, four Together Care Centers, nine Youth Rest Cafes, and three youth after-school academies.
In particular, to meet the growing demand for child care and to provide alternatives, the county established three new Together Care Centers between the second half of 2023 and 2024, bringing the total number of care hubs to four. In 2025, Yangpyeong plans to further activate its unique care system by participating in Gyeonggi Province’s public project for hub-type care centers, selecting a hub among local elementary care institutions, and focusing on building an emergency elementary care system. Furthermore, to balance care demand across the region, the county plans to establish a public local children's center in the plaza area near Jipyeong Station in Jipyeong-myeon by 2028, which will help alleviate the care burden in the eastern part of the county.
Housing support for young adults is also drawing attention.
Since 2023, Yangpyeong County has implemented an interest subsidy program for newlywed couples, and starting this year, the program has expanded to include housing purchase funds. Young newlywed couples residing in Yangpyeong are now eligible for up to 2 million won per year in interest subsidies.
In addition, the county operates job search and start-up support programs, entrepreneurship capacity-building education, and training for young entrepreneurs, actively supporting young people in settling in the region and building a stable foundation for independence.
As Yangpyeong County enters an era of population aging, it is also focusing on expanding welfare for senior citizens. The Yangpyeong Senior Welfare Center operates 108 different programs to help seniors lead vibrant daily lives. These range from lifelong learning programs such as computer, calligraphy, and smartphone classes, to photography, music, and physical education. The center also provides winter heating cost support, cultural performances, and outings for elderly people living alone, as well as various health and welfare initiatives to ensure that seniors with mobility challenges can benefit from a wide array of services.
One notable initiative is the artificial intelligence (AI) welfare check service for seniors living alone. Through a partnership with Korea Electric Power Corporation, the county uses AI analysis of electricity usage and communication data in senior households to detect abnormal signs. If a potential crisis is detected, township officials and honorary social welfare officers check in on the individual, helping to prevent solitary deaths and respond to emergencies.
Addressing welfare blind spots for people with disabilities is another area of special focus for the county. Yangpyeong operates 31 welfare facilities for people with disabilities, including 10 residential facilities run by legal entities-the highest number in Gyeonggi Province. The county also ranks first in the province in terms of annual budget allocated for operating facilities for people with disabilities.
Various welfare policies, such as the operation of "Simmaru," a shelter for elderly people with disabilities, vacation care programs for students with developmental disabilities, and independent living housing for people with disabilities, are highly regarded for providing robust support to vulnerable groups. In addition, by the end of 2027, the county plans to open the "Bandabi Sports Center," a specialized sports facility for people with disabilities in the Yangpyeong-eup area, laying the foundation for the promotion of disability sports.
Jin Jeon, Yangpyeong County Governor (center), is seen conducting the "Child Abuse Prevention Relay Campaign" on November 5, 2024. Provided by Yangpyeong County
Jin Jeon, Governor of Yangpyeong County, stated, "Yangpyeong aspires to be a warm community where all generations live together in harmony. We will not stop at simply expanding care infrastructure, but will continue to enhance both the quality and accessibility of care services, developing a care system in which the entire local community participates. Through care policies that ensure no one is left behind-from children to seniors and people with disabilities-we will do our utmost to ensure that all residents can enjoy healthy and happy lives."
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