Siheung City Overhauls Youth Policy, Aiming to Become a Hub for Bioindustry Talent Development

Strengthening Housing and Childbirth Policies to Support Economic Independence
Mayor Byeongtaek Lim: "We Will Build a City Where the Region and Young People Grow Together"

Siheung City in Gyeonggi Province is launching an initiative to establish itself as a bioindustry hub by fostering young talent. The city aims to move beyond simple youth support and actively utilize young professionals to drive the growth of its core industries.

Siheung Mayor Byeongtaek Lim is performing with young people at 'Haebang Day in Siheung,' a youth festival in Siheung City. Photo by Siheung City

According to Siheung City on April 22, the city has recently developed its 'Second Basic Youth Policy Plan,' which outlines this strategy. The 'Basic Youth Policy Plan' is a comprehensive policy framework designed to improve the quality of life for young people and promote their social participation. It presents strategies and directions to address various youth issues and provide more opportunities for young people.

The plan leverages the characteristics of local industries, including the bioindustry, to give young people opportunities to lead the future. It also proposes comprehensive support that spans all stages of life, including marriage, childbirth, and childrearing.

The City Bets Its Future on Fostering Bioindustry Talent

Members of the Siheung Youth Policy Committee are discussing key youth policies. Photo by Siheung City

Despite nationwide trends of population decline and aging, Siheung City is one of the few cities where the youth population is increasing. According to the Population and Housing Census by Statistics Korea, the number of young people aged 19 to 39 in Siheung City grew from 137,884 in 2015 to 166,080 in 2023, marking a 20% increase.

The city designed its youth policies through a fact-finding survey in which young people participated directly. According to the survey, the policies young people prioritized most were customized employment information (30.6%) and startup funding and infrastructure (44.57%). The biggest challenge in their lives was also identified as 'employment and jobs' (56%).

The city has set 52 tasks across five sectors and plans to invest 104.9 billion won over five years to implement its 'Siheung-Style Youth Policy.'

Siheung believes that the success of the national advanced strategic industry bio-specialized complex, which was designated last year, depends on the cultivation of young talent. The current plan reflects this commitment.

To this end, the city will collaborate with the 'Gyeonggi Siheung SNU Pharmaceutical Bio Workforce Training Center' to implement various initiatives. Representative talent development programs include the 'Global Bio Talent Development for Youth,' which provides opportunities for exchange with overseas biopharmaceutical industry professionals, and 'BioPharma 4.0,' which offers education on convergence technologies in pharmaceutical and bio processes.

To build a youth startup ecosystem in the bio field, the city will also promote programs such as 'Startup Networking,' which offers learning opportunities about future entrepreneurship and facilitates information sharing between prospective entrepreneurs and investors, and the 'Startup Education Camp,' which provides in-depth exploration of trends in related fields and practical knowledge for each stage of the startup process.

Strengthening Support for Housing, Childbirth, and Daily Life to Foster Economic Independence

Young adults in Siheung City are participating in a local linkage project targeting Geobukseom Island. Photo by Siheung City

The plan also includes a variety of youth housing support policies, such as special monthly rent assistance for young people, the supply of social housing for newlyweds, and interest support for jeonse loans for newlyweds. Additionally, the city will provide postpartum care subsidies and operate public postpartum care centers to help reduce childbirth costs.

Furthermore, the city will support the economic independence of young people through programs such as the 'Basic Youth Income' and 'Self-Reliance Allowance for Youth Preparing for Independence.'

In particular, Siheung City plans to build a 'Siheung-Style Future Talent Database (DB)' and operate a sustainable management system to expand opportunities for adolescents and young people to participate in society and grow. This will provide consistent support for the career paths and lives of adolescents and young adults, helping them become self-reliant members of society.

Young people will also participate directly in the formulation and implementation of policies. The city will increase policy effectiveness and sustainability by providing various opportunities for youth engagement, such as the Youth Policy Committee, Youth Policy Council, and Youth Policy Supporters Group.

Mayor Byeongtaek Lim of Siheung City stated, "We will expand practical support that genuinely helps young people and provide a foundation for their growth," and added, "We aim to go beyond being a livable city for youth and become a youth-friendly city where the region and young people grow together."

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