Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung: "We Will Strengthen Gwangju's Unique Independent Support System for Care-Leaving Children"

Recent Series of Extreme Choices 'Condolences'... Commitment to Policies of 'Growth, Independence, and Companionship'

Public Institutions and Child Protection Facilities Collaborate... Discovering and Supporting Programs for Psychological Therapy a

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Kang Gijeong, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, announced, “We will strengthen Gwangju’s unique independent living system for children aging out of care in three directions: growth, independence, and companionship.”

This is interpreted as a promise to implement policies related to the recent consecutive extreme choices made by children aging out of care.

According to Gwangju City on the 25th, Mayor Kang held an emergency briefing on support measures for children aging out of care (youth preparing for independence) on the same day.

He said, “Our society ultimately failed to notice the loneliness and pain that became an echo within themselves, as they struggled alone without anyone to rely on and didn’t know where to cry out even if they wanted to,” adding, “As a politician responsible for citizens’ lives and livelihoods, and as a mayor who promised to create ‘a Gwangju where not a single person is left behind’ through all-day integrated care by life cycle, I mourn with great regret.”

He continued, “The government is promoting projects such as the independent living allowance for children aging out of care (350,000 KRW per month) and the operation of dedicated independent living support agencies to support youth leaving child protection facilities. Our city is also expanding support systems including settlement grants for children aging out of care (10 million KRW), housing benefits, and existing housing lease purchase projects, but these have been insufficient for the fundamental concerns and companionship of children aging out of care.”

He then promised, “We will further supplement the current system and improve the independent living system for children aging out of care in three directions: growth, independence, and companionship.”

First, for growth, a customized project involving children in care facilities and the local community will be promoted.

In particular, a companionship program between local public institutions and child protection facilities will be promoted, and programs for children’s growth and psychological stability such as psychological therapy, health, and sports programs will be discovered and supported together with the local community.

Also, for independence, the plan is to create a 100% independent living support housing environment without housing worries for any child aging out of care who wants it.

To this end, the city plans to expand housing facilities for children aging out of care to about 150 places during the term by adding about 60 places to the current 90 housing facilities created by the dedicated independent living agency, Mudeung Independent Living Center, and Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), which Gwangju Urban Corporation will promote this year.

If about 150 housing facilities are secured, considering that about 100 children aging out of care occur annually on average in the Gwangju area and the facility admission rate is within 30% nationwide, housing issues are expected to be stably resolved.

For companionship, a ‘Youth Outreach Policy’ will also be promoted.

Customized information will be provided so that children aging out of care can obtain desired information from the time of discharge, and the workforce of dedicated independent living support agencies will be strengthened.

Meanwhile, Mayor Kang proposed two things to the government: ▲expansion of institutions such as emotional and behavioral disorder healing centers, and ▲expansion of housing welfare projects through Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), etc.

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