Establishment of the Second Basic Youth Policy Plan
Challenge for Designation as a Youth-Friendly City in 2025
Gwangyang City in South Jeolla Province has officially begun developing a mid-to-long-term plan to create a "Gwangyang-type Youth-Friendly City" in response to the regional extinction crisis and to implement a sustainable city centered on youth.
The city announced on June 16 that it held a kick-off briefing session for the "Research Service on Establishing the Basic Plan for a Youth-Friendly City" on June 12, presided over by Vice Mayor Kim Gihong.
Gwangyang City has embarked on establishing a mid-to-long-term plan to create a "Gwangyang-type Youth-Friendly City" in response to the regional extinction crisis and to implement a sustainable city centered on youth. Photo by Gwangyang City
The briefing was attended by the Korea Institute of Local Autonomy and Economy, which is conducting the research, as well as heads of departments responsible for 50 projects across the five major areas of youth policy. They shared key details for establishing the second Gwangyang City Basic Youth Policy Plan, a five-year plan to be implemented from 2026.
Through this research service, the city plans to review the achievements of the first plan and assess its policies, then newly identify and establish highly effective "Gwangyang-type youth policies" that resonate with young people. The city is actively working toward being designated as a youth-friendly city in 2025.
Vice Mayor Kim emphasized, "We must respond swiftly to the new government's national agenda," and requested, "Please highlight our city's strengths as much as possible, and establish effective youth policies based on in-depth surveys of the youth situation and the active participation of young people."
Jang Hyunpil, Director of the Korea Institute of Local Autonomy and Economy, stated, "It is important to approach youth policy not excessively from an industrial perspective, but rather from everyday, relatable viewpoints." He added, "We will focus our research on enabling young people to naturally integrate into the local community by leveraging Gwangyang's excellent cultural and artistic resources, such as the Jeonnam Provincial Art Museum and media art."
A "Youth-Friendly City" is a region designated by the Office for Government Policy Coordination under the Framework Act on Youth. Since 2024, the Office for Government Policy Coordination has been designating cities that promote youth participation in regional policy and development processes, and that establish and operate policies to strengthen youth capabilities and improve their quality of life, as youth-friendly cities. The plan is to select approximately 25 cities by 2028.
Based on its achievements?such as winning the "2024 Youth-Friendly Constitutional Award" in the communication category, an increase in net inflow of young people, and being the first local government in the country to win the employment sector award for 10 consecutive years?the city plans to promote the "Hometown Olle Youth Complex Space Project" and the second-year "Youth Sketch Village Project" to attract young people from outside the region. In addition, based on the "Basic Plan Research for the Creation of Youth Square," the city will also work to establish a generational communication space that combines culture, arts, food, and entrepreneurship.
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