Industrial Complex Shaped by Youth: Launch of "Wanju Youth Design Living Lab"

Over 200 Participants Including Young People, Local Residents, and Experts

The Korea Institute of Design Promotion announced on August 9 that it held the "2025 Culture Leading Industrial Complex Wanju Youth Design Living Lab Launch Ceremony" together with Wanju County at the Wanju County Office on August 8.

The Youth Design Living Lab is a participatory activity based on service design methodology, aiming to develop the Wanju Industrial Complex into a vibrant community where young people gather. The launch ceremony, which was the first official event, was attended by local representatives selected for the Youth Design Living Lab, Wanju County Governor Yoo Heetae, Korea Industrial Complex Corporation Chairman Lee Sanghoon, and Korea Institute of Design Promotion President Yoon Sangheum, among others.

Participants are taking a commemorative photo at the 2025 Culture Leading Industrial Complex Wanju Youth Design Living Lab Launch Ceremony. Korea Institute of Design Promotion

For this Youth Design Living Lab, more than 200 people were selected as local participants and will take part in the activities in various ways. The participant group consists of young workers and their families interested in industrial complex development and service design, as well as local residents and university students. Ten youth consumers and workers, service designers, experts, and public officials selected as local representatives will serve as core members and participate in regular activities.

At the "Youth Design Living Lab First Workshop" held after the launch ceremony, participants collaborated to identify practical tasks and set the vision. Going forward, the Youth Design Living Lab plans to diagnose the spaces and services of the industrial complex, and to design and experiment with necessary services and programs from the perspective of young consumers.

President Yoon Sangheum stated, "We will actively support the transformation of the industrial complex into a creative space where young people can work and enjoy themselves through the Youth Design Living Lab."