Yangpyeong-gun Appoints 22 Members to "Future-Ready Yangpyeong-gun Youth Council"

Yangpyeong Youth Culture Center announced on July 25 that it successfully held the "2025 Yangpyeong-gun Youth Council Appointment Ceremony" on July 23 in the Ullim Hall on the third floor of the center, marking the fifth anniversary of its establishment and officially launching the activities of the integrated youth participation organization unique to Yangpyeong-gun, the "Yangpyeong-gun Youth Council."

Yangpyeong Youth Culture House held the "2025 Yangpyeong County Youth Council Appointment Ceremony" on the 23rd at the Ullim Hall on the 3rd floor of the Culture House and is taking a commemorative photo. Provided by Yangpyeong County

The "Yangpyeong-gun Youth Council" was established in May 2021 under Article 5-2 of the Framework Act on Youth. It is an integrated youth participation body unique to Yangpyeong-gun, formed through a memorandum of understanding among three organizations: Yangpyeong-gun Office (Youth Participation Committee), Yangpyeong-gun Council (Youth Council), and Gyeonggi Yangpyeong Office of Education (Youth Education Council). This organization is recognized as the only regionally specialized model in the country for expanding youth self-governance and participation in policymaking.

This year, the Yangpyeong-gun Youth Council consists of 22 youths aged 14 to 19, selected through an open recruitment process by the Gyeonggi Yangpyeong Office of Education. From May 2025 to February 2026, they plan to lead youth rights enhancement and community change through a variety of policy participation activities, including the Gyeonggi-do Budget School, Policy Mentoring, 2024 Yangpyeong-gun Youth Policy Monitoring, Policy Proposal Competition, and Policy Market.

The appointment ceremony was attended not only by the council members but also by Yangpyeong-gun Mayor Jeon Jinseon, Yangpyeong Office of Education Superintendent Cha Misoon, Yangpyeong-gun Council Vice Chairperson Oh Hyeja, parents, and other distinguished guests. The event began with the screening of "THISISME," a video produced, directed, filmed, and edited by the youth members themselves. This was followed by the awarding of appointment certificates and a performance where logo patches representing Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Yangpyeong Office of Education, and Yangpyeong-gun Council were attached to the council uniforms. This performance, symbolizing cooperation, communication, a sense of belonging, and responsibility among the three organizations and the youth, was met with enthusiastic applause from the attendees.

Mayor Jeon Jinseon emphasized, "We consider the youth of Yangpyeong-gun as partners in policy decision-making and hope they will become young people who prepare for the future." Superintendent Cha Misoon congratulated the appointed youth members, saying, "I hope you will become responsible youth leaders who can connect and communicate with a diverse range of people." Vice Chairperson Oh Hyeja also offered encouragement and congratulations, stating, "We will work together to ensure that the voices of youth are actively reflected in county policies."

Youth Council Chairperson Kang Yesle, in a brief speech, likened the hot summer to a "turning point" and expressed determination by saying, "I hope the small ripple of the Youth Council will become a deep resonance in Yangpyeong."

Meanwhile, starting in 2025, the Yangpyeong-gun Youth Council will be operated under the leadership of the Yangpyeong Youth Culture Center, continuing to provide important opportunities for youths to directly participate in local issues and policies and to grow as proactive members of the community.