Opening of the 1st Seoul Youth Council Member Session

Certificate of Election and Councilor Badges Distributed to 42 Youth Councilors in 5th and 6th Grades Elected with Chairman Kim Hyun-gi

The Seoul Metropolitan Council held the inauguration ceremony for the 1st Seoul Special City Youth Council members on the 26th. Chairperson Kim Hyun-gi distributed certificates of election and council member badges to the 42 elected youth council members, who are 5th and 6th graders in elementary school.

The youth council members were selected through recruitment and interviews, candidate registration, formation of the electorate, and voting held from July to August, with a total of 42 members chosen.

- ’23.7.17.~8.12. Recruitment of a total of 55 candidates in two phases

- ’23.8.13.~8.17. Announcement of successful applicants, candidate registration, and interviews conducted

- ’23.8.18.~8.22. Formation of the electorate and voting conducted

- ’23.8.23.~8.24. Vote counting and confirmation of 42 elected members

The elected youth council members will directly carry out the election of the chairperson group, formation of political parties, establishment and operation of standing committees, and decision-making processes through plenary sessions during their five-month term.

The Seoul Metropolitan Council has been operating the Youth Council Classroom directly since 1996. Most students who experienced the council classroom reported an overall satisfaction rate of 92.8%, achieving high results. However, the experience was limited to a one-day youth council member trial, leading to continuous demands for more in-depth legislative activities.

In response, the 11th Seoul Metropolitan Council expanded and improved the Youth Council Classroom into a long-term and continuous operation model. It was improved so that youths become council members themselves, form groups, and directly experience the entire decision-making process, including standing committee activities and plenary session resolutions. The Seoul Metropolitan Council expects this to enhance youths’ understanding of local council legislative activities, local autonomy, and democratic problem-solving skills.

Specifically, they will perform legislative activities such as proposing mock ordinances, reviewing agenda items, and engaging in pro and con debates. During the activities, meetings with the Chairperson of the Seoul Metropolitan Council and representatives, as well as council members, are also planned.

Chairperson Kim Hyun-gi said, “I sincerely welcome the election of the 1st youth council members,” and added, “I expect this to be a valuable time for youths to correctly understand local autonomy and grow into mature citizens through direct experience of local councils.”

He also encouraged them by saying, “Politics is about logically asserting your opinions to find the best consensus, supporting or opposing, and sometimes engaging in heated debates. I hope you learn true political and legislative activities by listening to others’ opinions and respecting the outcomes reached. With you, the future of the Republic of Korea is bright.”

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