The Democratic Party Proposes Support Pledges for Youth Preparing for Independence... Han Dong-hoon Says, "I Will Play a Role in Changing What Needs to Be Changed Even If It Doesn't Win Votes"

Support Measures for Youth Leaving Child Welfare Facilities
Preparing Support Plans for Employment, Housing, and Social Adaptation Education

On the 14th, the People Power Party presented support measures to help youth preparing for independence as part of their general election pledges. The plan includes measures to assist young people who have been protected in child welfare facilities or foster homes and are starting to live independently after turning 18, ensuring they can become self-reliant in a better-prepared state.

Han Dong-hoon, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, and Yoo Ui-dong, the policy committee chairman, unveiled support plans for youth preparing for independence through the "Happiness for All Youth" pledge at 'Dadareum House' in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. Chairman Han said, "The number of youth preparing for independence is not that large. What this means is that, from a politician’s perspective, it does not translate into many votes," but added, "I believe the true function of politics is to pay attention to areas that need to change even if they do not bring votes, and to ensure those areas improve. I want to play a role in that." Although this initiative was presented as a general election pledge, he explained that it was pursued based on a political sense of duty rather than political vote calculations. The People Power Party introduced that about 2,000 youth preparing for independence exit protection annually, and it is expected that around 11,000 will finish protection from facilities within the next five years. Chairman Han also knelt to the eye level of an electric wheelchair and listened to explanations from facility officials during the event.

At the event, Chairman Yoo said, "From what I heard on site, by adding a bit more detail or support, we found several points that can be used immediately without causing inconvenience in your daily lives, so we will make sure you can use them as soon as possible."

The support measures revealed by the People Power Party include, first, addressing various daily difficulties faced by youth preparing for independence after protection ends by providing practical education on finance, housing, labor, law, and humanities before leaving the facility. They plan to pilot youth independence preparation schools in areas with many such youth, offering dormitory-style or commuting options to allow them to experience independent living before discharge. Admission and discharge from these schools will be flexible, but the experience period will be about six months to one year. Additionally, programs will be provided to support youth in designing their own independence plans and to form communities composed of government, civic groups, companies, senior citizens, experts, and peer youth to support independence.

Handonghun, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is conversing with Yutaeho, space manager, at Dadareum House in Eunpyeong-gu on the 14th. Dadareum House is a socially integrated independent living support residence where young adults with developmental disabilities and non-disabled youth live together.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

They will also form an independence mentor group to serve as a social family in the community, providing continuous emotional and psychological support from before discharge until after leaving the facility to help youth settle into society. Furthermore, they plan to expand independence support community houses as community-style housing, increase rental housing for youth preparing for independence, link with employment and startup consulting, and provide short-term accommodation support before employment using youth hostels.

They will introduce personal counselor support for youth preparing for independence, with one counselor managing about 10 youth and providing care for five years after protection ends. Currently, based on the budget, one dedicated independence support staff is responsible for 42 youth.

A youth independence support platform will also be established to provide one-stop support for employment and psychological assistance, and an information system will be built between local governments and protection facilities centered on dedicated independence support agencies. Support will cover customized employment assistance, welfare linkage, and psychological support.

Moreover, the government will investigate and publish employment status of youth preparing for independence and work with local governments to establish legal grounds for creating support programs such as job placement, vocational counseling, and experience under the proposed "Youth Independence Support Act" (tentative name).

They also promised to transform the current privately-led youth independence preparation fairs into government-led fairs.

The People Power Party explained, "This pledge is aimed at solving the practical difficulties faced by youth preparing for independence and is a pledge for sustainable independence."

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