Suncheon City has been designated as a ‘Youth-Friendly City,’ the first of its kind among city-level and Honam region local governments in South Korea. Announced at an award ceremony held at the Government Complex in Seoul on the 29th, this designation recognizes efforts to promote youth participation in policy-making and improve the quality of life for young people.
The ‘Youth-Friendly City’ initiative, supervised by the Prime Minister’s Office, evaluates and designates regions to encourage youth involvement in local policies. Established under the ‘Youth Basic Act’ in September 2023, this is the second year the initiative has been implemented across 228 local governments.
In January 2023, Suncheon created a dedicated youth policy department with 21 personnel, the largest among local governments, and established a Youth Education Bureau in July. To enhance youth engagement, the city mandates 20% youth participation in various committees. The city also launched initiatives like the youth policy council, youth centers, and the online platform ‘Youth Policy 114’. It capitalized on its natural resources such as the Suncheon Bay National Garden and Wetlands and developed an excellent living environment with children’s hospitals and a regional cardiovascular center.
The city received high praise for its cyclical policy model focusing on talent development, job creation, and regional settlement through collaborations in industries like healing tourism, animation, aerospace, and the defense sector.
Receiving the Youth-Friendly City designation brings additional benefits. Suncheon will receive 500 million won in national funding over the next two years, matched by local funds for a total of one billion won towards youth-friendly initiatives. Throughout the five-year designation period, the city will also receive comprehensive support from the central government through consultations, policy advice, and various educational and fiscal resources.
Mayor Noh Kwan-gyu expressed that this designation acknowledges the city’s consistent efforts to involve young people and address their concerns, emphasizing the city’s commitment to becoming a leading youth-friendly city where the youth can envision and build their futures.