First in the Nation to Introduce Youth Allowance... 1,013 Beneficiaries Receive 600,000 Won Annually
From Housing to Jobs and Startups... Winner of the "Youth-Friendly Constitutional Award" for Four Consecutive Years
Cheongyang County in South Chungcheong Province is emerging as a role model among local governments nationwide by putting youth policies at the forefront to overcome the crisis of local extinction.
In 2021, Cheongyang County declared the "Year of Youth" and presented the vision of "Cheongyang Yeonhwa (Cheongyang Lotus Flower, meaning Cheongyang where the lives of young people bloom)." The county has been drawing attention by implementing comprehensive policies to support youth independence and settlement.
Through the "Cheongyang County Youth Allowance Payment Ordinance," enacted in May 2021, the county has provided an annual allowance of 600,000 won to young people aged 25 and 35. As of May 2025, a total of 1,013 young people have benefited from this program. The policy is evaluated as serving not only as simple financial support but also as an institutional stepping stone for youth to enter society and achieve independence.
In addition, the county has expanded the priority allocation ratio for youth in public rental housing to 90% and is currently operating five share houses with a total capacity of 14 people.
Furthermore, utilizing the Local Extinction Response Fund, the county plans to complete 20 new youth share houses by the end of this year. Integrated youth spaces such as Blueship House and Youth LAB have also been established, creating a comprehensive support model that provides housing, entrepreneurship, and information all in one place.
The youth startup incubating space "Nugunagae" has been operating since its first opening in 2021, with a total of four locations now open in Cheongyang-eup and Jeongsan-myeon. The county plans to establish a step-by-step startup support system by linking half-price stores and Nugunagae with the completion of the "Naeil-iU Center" in 2026.
From 2021 to 2024, the county received the "Youth-Friendly Constitutional Award" for four consecutive years. Notably, after winning the Grand Prize for three consecutive years, the county received the Communication Award in 2024, with its policies based on close cooperation and participation with youth highly evaluated.
In the 2023 evaluation of outstanding youth policies in South Chungcheong Province, the county ranked first among counties and was awarded a commendation and prize money from the governor.
Cheongyang County's policies are based on a two-track strategy aimed at expanding the "resident population," rather than simply increasing the number of registered inhabitants.
Instead of pursuing individual policies for jobs, housing, or culture, the county is creating a comprehensive and organic settlement infrastructure so that young people can stay rather than leave the region.
To this end, in 2018, the county amended the "Basic Ordinance on Youth Support," expanding the age range for youth to 18-45, forming a youth network, and listening closely to policy needs.
In addition, the county is leading data-based policy design by collaborating with the Chungnam Institute to analyze the actual conditions of youth life and diagnose issues.
It is also noteworthy that the county has established a nimble and efficient policy implementation system through benchmarking other local governments, linking public contest projects, and collaborating with the private sector.
Amid the deepening shadows of local extinction and aging, Cheongyang County is taking on these challenges head-on with "youth" as the solution.
County Governor Kim Dongon’s philosophy that administration for youth is ultimately an investment in the region’s future is setting a new standard for local governance in Korea.
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