Gunpo Mayor Han Dae-hee expressed his commitment on September 7 to establish South Korea's first 'Youth Sovereignty City,' where young people will be co-decision-makers in urban transformation.
During his remarks, Mayor Han noted that Gunpo was selected as one of the top five municipalities in Gyeonggi Province in the youth-friendly city evaluation conducted by the provincial government.
This marks the second consecutive year that Gunpo has been recognized, following its ranking among the top three municipalities last year.
Mayor Han highlighted that the city's youth policies have yielded positive results, contributing to its high ranking in the evaluation for two years in a row.
The evaluation assessed local governments' policies and frameworks aimed at enhancing youth participation in regional policy-making, strengthening their capabilities, and improving their quality of life.
He explained that the city received high marks for its plan to establish a 'youth-friendly city governance' model, where young people actively participate in the proposal, decision-making, and feedback processes of policies.
This initiative aligns with Mayor Han's vision of a 'Youth Sovereignty City,' which he has emphasized since taking office.
Citizens have positively evaluated Gunpo's recognition as a top youth-friendly city for two consecutive years, appreciating the ongoing commitment to youth policies.
One resident remarked, "It is encouraging to see consistent recognition for youth policies over the past two years. I hope that job and housing opportunities for young people in Gunpo will continue to be strengthened."
Another resident added, "While increasing the youth budget and launching various initiatives are important, it is crucial that citizens can feel the impact. I hope to see tangible changes in areas that young people truly need, such as employment, housing, and cultural activities."
Since taking office, Mayor Han has prioritized youth policies, initiating the establishment of a 'Youth Sovereignty Office' as his first official act.
In the past three years, the youth budget has increased by 15.2%, and the city has been selected for various youth policy projects by central government ministries, including the Office for Government Policy Coordination, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, thereby expanding its policy foundation.
Currently, Mayor Han is implementing 47 initiatives across five areas—participation and rights, jobs, housing, education and culture, and welfare—under the 'Second Basic Plan for Youth Policy in Gunpo (2025-2029).'
The youth-friendly city initiative is a program operated by the Office for Government Policy Coordination to enhance youth participation in regional policies and support improvements in their quality of life.
After a recommendation from the metropolitan government and a series of evaluations, designated municipalities receive a total of 500 million won in national funding and government-linked consulting support over two years.
With Gunpo's recent recognition among the top five municipalities in Gyeonggi Province, Mayor Han plans to challenge for designation as a youth-friendly city following the final evaluation by the Office for Government Policy Coordination.
Mayor Han emphasized, "Gunpo is undergoing a major transformation that reconfigures industry, housing, and living spaces simultaneously. This will become a city of opportunities designed in collaboration with young people."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.