Uijeongbu City Accelerates Realization of Genuine Youth Self-Governance... Expanding from Policy to Spaces

Kim Donggeun: "I Will Make Uijeongbu a City Where Youth Want to Stay"
A City Where Youth Stay, Uijeongbu Made by Youth
Youth at the Center of Policy... Establishing a Youth-Centered Administrative System
A City of 120,000 Young People... Supporting Daily Connections and Growth

Uijeongbu City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Donggeun) is accelerating the expansion of autonomous youth participation structures under the theme "A City Changed by Youth" to mark the 2025 Youth Week (September 20-26), while reviewing the trends and core policies of youth policy.

The 3rd Youth Council Communication Time with the Mayor. Provided by Uijeongbu City

Uijeongbu City's youth policy began with the enactment of the "Basic Youth Ordinance" in 2017, followed by the establishment of the "Basic Plan and Implementation Plan for Youth Policy" in 2020, and the creation of a dedicated Youth Policy Division in 2022, thereby establishing a systematic foundation.

This represents a rare structural transformation nationwide, as youth policy has shifted from being a peripheral part of municipal administration to becoming a central framework.

The city is building an administrative foundation so that the youth perspective is not limited to one-off events, but is naturally integrated into policies, organizational structures, and budgets.

The youth population in Uijeongbu currently stands at approximately 120,000, accounting for 26% of the total population. Among them, the proportion of single-person youth households is 27.4%.

Accordingly, the city is pursuing a variety of initiatives that reflect the real lives of young people, including policies, cultural programs, and welfare support.

The "Youth Center" and "Cheongchun Ajit" have become customized cultural spaces for youth, while "Youth Mental Health Counseling" and the "Single-Person Household Support Box" contribute to alleviating social isolation and strengthening self-reliance among young people.

These initiatives go beyond providing physical spaces, serving as hubs for connection and emotional bonding among youth.

3rd Youth Council Committee Member Appointment Ceremony. Provided by Uijeongbu City

The city is not only implementing administrative measures for youth but is also establishing a structure in which youth directly participate and create policies together.

A representative example is the "Youth Autonomous Budget System," introduced last year, which allows young people to propose policies and take the lead in the review and budgeting process, thereby contributing to the realization of genuine youth self-governance.

This year, a total budget of 200 million won has been allocated through this system to implement six projects: support for software purchase costs, a youth participation points system, support for idle spaces, support for youth labor attorney consultation fees, safe rental contract services, and youth job and entrepreneurship lectures and networking.

A notable case is the "Youth Space Creation Project Utilizing Idle Spaces," proposed by the Youth Council, in which young people directly plan and operate city-owned spaces.

This demonstrates the potential of a youth self-governance platform that goes beyond a simple shared office, enabling young people to connect with the community and realize voluntary activities.

Going forward, the city plans to continue expanding the foundation for youth participation so that young people are not merely recipients of municipal administration but active agents in it.

Tailored policies closely linked to daily life, such as basic youth income, support for language and qualification exam fees, and rent subsidies for entrepreneurs, are also being steadily expanded.

These policies focus not just on financial support, but on strengthening youth capabilities and establishing a foundation for economic independence.

Creating youth spaces by utilizing idle spaces. Provided by Uijeongbu City

In particular, the city is focusing on creating an environment where young people can work in ways they desire and grow stably. In the case of the "Uijeongbu-Style Youth Jobs," public institutions and private companies cooperate to provide customized job matching that reflects the needs of both youth and businesses.

Startup support is also being strengthened. The city is building a "Youth Startup Support Center," targeted for completion in the second half of 2026, which will provide one-stop support throughout the startup process, including professional consulting, marketing, mentoring, and commercialization.

Through this, the city aims to reduce the uncertainties of the initial startup phase and foster a sustainable youth entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Stabilizing youth housing is a core task, and the city is also pursuing strategies to move beyond its traditional "bed town" structure.

Due to its proximity to Seoul, the city has experienced a continuous outflow of young people, prompting a policy focus on providing actual housing support for youth residents.

In addition to financial support such as youth monthly rent assistance and interest subsidies for rental deposits, the city is also working to secure more than 100 youth rental housing units through the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) private purchase agreement model.

This effort goes beyond simply supplying housing; it aims to create a residential environment where young people want to stay and build their lives.

2025 Youth Day Festival. Provided by Uijeongbu City

The city currently operates youth-only spaces such as the "Youth Center" and "Cheongchun Ajit," supporting these spaces to serve as local hubs that support the hearts and daily lives of young people.

However, recognizing the limitation that existing spaces are concentrated in specific areas, the city plans to establish a "Second Youth Center" in the Songsan district to ensure regional balance.

The new Second Youth Center will be developed as a complex cultural space that goes beyond a simple activity venue, reflecting diverse youth needs such as job matching, career exploration, networking, and cultural activities.

While the existing Youth Center is a space based on autonomy and experimentation, the Second Youth Center will be established as a public platform with greater stability and scalability.

The city has set the ultimate direction of youth policy to position young people not merely as "beneficiaries" of policy, but as "designers" who directly plan and participate in policymaking.

To this end, the city is strengthening practical participation by centering on a Youth Council of about 50 members, collecting youth opinions, proposing policies, and engaging in network activities, while also involving young people as members of various policy committees and planning groups.

This trend is in line with the global movement toward proactive youth participation in all aspects of policy decision-making.

2025 Youth Day Festival. Provided by Uijeongbu City

The "Youth Parliament" in Helsinki, Finland, is a representative example, and Uijeongbu City is actively embracing this global trend as it moves forward as a leading city in youth self-governance.

Mayor Kim Donggeun stated, "Youth are not only the future of Uijeongbu but also the driving force of today. We will create a structure where youth can stay and design the city. I will take full responsibility to ensure that not a single young person falls through the cracks of policy, and I will make Uijeongbu a city where young people want to stay."

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