2nd Sejong City Youth Council Concludes Legislative Activities

Youth Council Holds Plenary Session and Completion Ceremony
Some Express Concerns Over Disappointment

The 2nd Youth Council has concluded its one-year activities.
Photo by the Child and Youth Division, Health and Welfare Bureau

Sejong City announced on June 29 that the activities of the 2nd Youth Council have concluded, following the final plenary session and completion ceremony held at the City Council's main chamber on June 28.

The 29 members of the Youth Council, appointed in July last year, have spent the past year experiencing democracy outside of school and developing policies to protect the rights of children and youth. According to officials, the council members broadened their understanding of democracy through institutional education, interviews with Sejong City Council members, monitoring of youth spaces such as Yido, and joint workshops with youth participation organizations.

However, there have also been concerns raised within the public sector. One government official stated, "I am deeply concerned about what the Youth Council students might have thought while observing the relationship between the Sejong City Council and the executive branch over the past year," and added, "It is uncomfortable that adults have sometimes set a poor example." This is interpreted as a reference to the ongoing tensions between the executive branch and the council since last year.

At the plenary session, five standing committees, organized according to the interests of the Youth Council members, presented their proposed policies in five-minute speeches.

The committees proposed: ▲guaranteeing equal education for youth ▲suggestions for proper smartphone use ▲recommendations to reduce illegal waste dumping ▲creating safe cities together ▲revitalizing youth centers and expanding youth participation. The five agenda items will be reviewed by City Hall and relevant agencies and are expected to be reflected in future policies.

At the completion ceremony, Lee Youngok, Director of the Health and Welfare Bureau, presented certificates of completion to the Youth Council members, congratulating and encouraging them for their year of activities.

Lee Youngok, Director of the Health and Welfare Bureau, stated, "The activities of the Youth Council provide a valuable experience for youth to directly participate in various decision-making processes that shape democracy," and added, "We will do our best to ensure that the voices of youth who actively participated in the Youth Council are reflected in municipal policies."