Seonghwa Lim of Gwangju Seo-gu Council Calls for Improvement in Youth Leader Treatment

Ordinance on the Operation of the "Treatment Improvement Committee" Passes Standing Committee

Seonghwa Lim, a member of the Gwangju Seo-gu Council (representing Gwangcheon-dong, Yudeok-dong, Chipyeong-dong, Sangmu 1-dong, and Dongcheon-dong), proposed the "Ordinance on Improving the Treatment and Status of Youth Leaders in Seo-gu, Gwangju," during the 332nd extraordinary session. The ordinance was passed in its original form by the relevant standing committee.

Following Gwangju City, Seo-gu is the first among the five districts to enact an ordinance that includes provisions for the establishment and operation of a Youth Leader Treatment Improvement Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee"). Through this ordinance, Seo-gu plans to develop concrete plans to improve the treatment of youth leaders and to promote effective support programs.

Photo of Seonghwa Lim. Provided by the office of Seonghwa Lim

The "Ordinance on Improving the Treatment and Status of Youth Leaders in Seo-gu," which was enacted with the ultimate goal of enhancing the treatment and status of youth leaders while considering the sustainability of youth policy, consists of: ▲ the establishment and implementation of support plans ▲ support projects and fact-finding surveys ▲ the establishment and operation of the Treatment Improvement Committee ▲ and awards.

Lim stated, "In the face of national challenges such as low birth rates and an aging population, fostering youth is a very important issue." She added, "Nevertheless, youth leaders who support the growth of young people are facing the dual hardship of wages that do not even reach a living wage and job insecurity."

She continued, "There is also a heightened sense of relative deprivation due to differences in treatment between regular and non-regular employees within the same organization." Lim added, "Through the operation of the 'Youth Leader Treatment Improvement Committee' included in this ordinance, we will gather the opinions of youth institution staff and stakeholders to gradually establish and implement systems for improving their treatment, in line with Seo-gu's vision as a child-friendly city."

Meanwhile, Lim has actively worked to improve the rights and welfare of children and youth through various legislative activities, including the "Seo-gu Youth Day Ordinance" and the "Seo-gu Youth Activity Promotion Ordinance."

For the effective enactment of this ordinance to improve the treatment of youth leaders, Lim held meetings with youth organizations and institution staff (11 people), as well as consulted with relevant stakeholders, to directly listen to and share a variety of on-site opinions.