Gangdong-gu, First Seoul District to Support Transportation Costs for Out-of-School Youth

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon) is the first autonomous district in Seoul to provide transportation expenses to out-of-school youth starting this month.

Recently, the number of students who stop their studies for various reasons, such as not being able to adapt to school, is increasing.

Accordingly, Gangdong-gu supports transportation expenses to ease the financial burden for out-of-school youth who do not receive public education benefits when participating in various programs such as career exploration and job experience.

The eligible recipients are out-of-school youth aged 9 to 18 who are registered residents of Gangdong-gu and have participated in programs operated by the Gangdong-gu Youth Support Center ‘Kkumdeulim’ or the Gangdong Youth Nuri Center ‘Haneul-eul Pumneun Baeumteo’ more than twice, or youth enrolled in unlicensed alternative education institutions such as alternative schools.

To apply, applicants must prepare required documents that verify their status as out-of-school youth, such as a resident registration certificate (elementary), school withdrawal certificate, or non-enrollment certificate, and visit the Gangdong-gu Youth Support Center or Gangdong Youth Nuri Center to submit their application.

The support amount is KRW 100,000 per person for ages 9 to 12 and KRW 200,000 per person for ages 13 to 18. The support will be provided by charging the amount onto youth ID cards equipped with transportation card functions, divided into the first half of the year (June) and the second half (July to December). The charging can be done at the Gangdong Youth Support Center or Gangdong Youth Nuri Center where the terminals are installed.

Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon of Gangdong-gu said, “We determined that support for out-of-school youth, who are in the blind spots of public education, is necessary and established the basis for support through the revision of the Seoul Gangdong-gu Out-of-School Youth Support Ordinance. We will continue to support out-of-school youth so that they can confidently pursue their dreams without prejudice or discrimination.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.