"Child-Friendly Legal System Reform"... Seodaemun-gu Improves 'Out-of-School Youth Support Ordinance' and More

Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, has revised child-related local ordinances to establish a child-friendly legal system. The photo shows Seongheon Lee, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, last August examining the "UNICEF Child-Friendly City Advanced Certification" plaque together with child participation committee members. (Photo by Seodaemun-gu Office)

Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (Mayor Lee Seongheon) announced on the 20th that it recently revised child-related local ordinances to establish a child-friendly legal system.

The ordinances subject to revision include five items: the Ordinance on Support for Adoptive Families in Seodaemun-gu, the Ordinance on Support for Out-of-School Youth, the Ordinance on After-School Care Support for Elementary School Students, the Ordinance on Support for Children Leaving Child Welfare Facilities, and the Ordinance on the Creation of a Child-Friendly City.

The Seodaemun-gu Child Rights Ombudsperson collaborated with the UNICEF Korea Committee to review whether the general principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are appropriately stipulated in each ordinance and derived improvement measures.

Subsequently, the ordinances were revised through proposals by district council members. Specifically, the existing terms "children leaving facilities" and "children whose protective measures have ended" were changed to "youth preparing for independence," strengthening the rights of youth preparing for independence by recognizing their autonomy as subjects of support in the ordinances.

Additionally, the definitions of protected children, children whose protection has ended, children eligible for independence support, and youth preparing for independence were clarified. Phrases that could cause prejudice and discriminatory perceptions against children in local ordinances were amended, and the responsibilities of adoptive parents were specified to protect the rights of adopted children.

Lee Seongheon, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, stated, "We will continue to strengthen a child-friendly legal system through ongoing review and improvement of local ordinances and actively promote child policies based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child."

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