Gangwon Province Enters Era of 480,000 Volunteers... Dramatically Enhancing Treatment and Support for Center Staff

Gangwon Province Raises Welfare Points for the First Time in 11 Years
Improving Working Conditions for Volunteer Center Employees
Easing Eligibility Criteria for Volunteer Caregiving Service Support Program

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jintae) announced the 2026 support policy for volunteer centers at the Wonju Volunteer Center on the 24th and stated that it would further improve the working conditions and boost the morale of volunteer center employees.

Kim Jintae, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, is announcing the 2026 support policy for volunteer centers at the Wonju Volunteer Center on the 24th and posing for a commemorative photo with attendees. Provided by Gangwon Province.

The number of registered volunteers in the province has increased from 430,000 in 2021 to 480,000 in 2025, with resident participation steadily expanding. As demand for volunteer services continues to grow, the role of volunteer centers that support these activities is becoming even more important, and the need to improve staffing and treatment is also increasing.

In response, the province will promote the improvement of working conditions for volunteer center employees and the enhancement of volunteer morale as key policy tasks for 2026.

First, it will significantly increase the welfare points that have been frozen for 11 years and adjust the salaries of center directors to realistic levels to improve their treatment.

In addition, reflecting on-the-ground opinions from city and county centers, the province plans to actively support requests for replacing old vehicles and office equipment and for facility remodeling. Through customized, field-oriented support, it aims to enhance the stability of center operations and strengthen volunteer management capabilities.

Furthermore, the province will expand policies to honor volunteers and boost their morale. It will hold the Volunteer One-Heart Festival every year and expand workshops for outstanding volunteers. It also plans to provide more practical support by easing eligibility criteria for the caregiving service support program and thereby broadening the pool of beneficiaries.

Governor Kim Jintae said, "Out of Wonju's population of about 360,000, 100,000 people are active as volunteers, which means that one out of every three Wonju citizens is a volunteer," adding, "On the other hand, there are only 10 staff members managing them at the center, so each person is effectively responsible for an average of 10,000 volunteers."

He went on to say, "We will continue to refine and develop policies so that volunteers can focus solely on their volunteer activities."

On this day, Governor Kim inspected the office space and training rooms of the volunteer center, encouraged employees working on-site, and shared opinions on improving the volunteer support system through a discussion session.