Shin Jonghyuk, Gwangju Namgu Councilor: "Youth-Responsive Budgeting System Needed to Enhance Policy Effectiveness"

Shin Jonghyuk, Gwangju Namgu Councilor

Amid a severe shortage of budget for youth policies in Gwangju Namgu, there has been a call for the introduction of a 'youth-responsive budgeting system' to enhance policy effectiveness.

On June 16, at the second plenary session of the 312th regular meeting, Shin Jonghyuk, a Gwangju Namgu Councilor, stated during a five-minute free speech, "The youth population in Namgu is about 47,455, accounting for approximately 23% of the total population, yet the budget allocation for them is severely lacking," he said.

This year, the budget for youth policy initiatives in Namgu, including national and municipal funds, is 700 million won. Out of the original budget of 900 million won, 200 million won was cut during the first supplementary budget review, resulting in an overall decrease. There are only seven projects in Namgu that are 100% locally funded for youth, amounting to a mere 90 million won.

Shin stated, "Rather than making genuine efforts to help young people in Namgu maintain hope in their lives, the district is making their future even bleaker by cutting the budget," and argued, "As an institutional measure to improve the quality of life for young people, a youth-responsive budgeting system should be introduced."

He continued, "From the budget planning stage, the impact on young people must be analyzed, and the structure must allow for goal-setting and performance evaluation," and added, "Through a youth-responsive budgeting system, the effectiveness of youth policies can be accurately assessed and the needs of young people can be reflected in the budget."

He also emphasized, "In line with the government's policy direction, the executive branch must make significant efforts and considerations to establish response systems for youth pledges, such as preparing for public contests and holding youth meetings," and added, "I hope that, through this statement, Namgu will demonstrate through its youth policies and budget that it has not given up on its young people."