Goyang City: Youth Basic Income Suspension Is a 'Transition,' Not a 'Discontinuation'... Focus Shifts from Cash Support to Opportunities

Councilor Chun Seunga Questions 'Alternatives to Youth Policy After Suspension of Youth Basic Income'
70% Spent on Restaurants and Convenience Stores... Only 3% Used for Employment and Self-Development
Goyang City Announces Major Shift from 'Cash to Opportunity and Growth' in Youth Basic Income
Goyang City Evolves 70% Consumption Policy into 49 Growth-Oriented Initiatives

Goyang Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Donghwan) announced on October 22 that, in response to questions raised during the 298th special session on October 21 regarding the suspension of the Youth Basic Income, "The suspension of basic income is not a discontinuation but a transition," and that the city is restructuring its youth policies to focus on opportunities.

A view of Goyang Special City Hall. Provided by Goyang Special City.

On that day, City Councilor Chun Seunga raised questions about alternatives to youth programs following the suspension of the Youth Basic Income during a five-minute free speech session addressing the current state of youth policy in Goyang City.

In response, the city explained, "It is more important to support the practical independence and growth of young people than to provide one-time cash support," adding, "The suspension of the Youth Basic Income is not an 'abolition' but an 'evolution,' and it is a policy decision aimed at providing more young people with real opportunities for growth."

The city stated that although the Youth Basic Income was introduced to support job preparation and entry into society, the results showed that about 70% of the local currency was spent on consumption at restaurants and convenience stores, while only 3% was used for self-development or employment-related purposes. This highlighted the limitations in the effectiveness of the policy.

Additionally, Goyang City has a higher proportion of youth in its population compared to other municipalities of similar size in the province. However, in the current climate of economic downturn, reduced tax revenue, and declining fiscal independence, the city decided to shift away from a cash-based program that spends approximately 4 billion won annually on a specific age group (24-year-olds) to a "growth support policy focused on providing opportunities," enabling young people to design their own futures.

Currently, Goyang City is implementing a total of 49 youth policies across five areas: jobs, housing, education, welfare, culture, participation, and rights.

The city’s youth job specialization program, the "Goyang Future Package," consists of three tracks: "Future Leap," which is linked with private companies; "Future Growth," which provides administrative experience at public institutions; and "Future Dream," which supports entrepreneurship. These tracks help young people choose the path that best suits their aptitudes and support their growth.

Furthermore, the "Youth Monthly Rent Support Program," which aims to ease the housing cost burden for young people, has extended its support period from the previous 12 months to 24 months starting this year. In 2026, the program will be converted from a temporary to a permanent initiative. Accordingly, the budget will be increased by approximately 1.32 billion won, from 2.08 billion won in 2025 to 3.4 billion won in 2026, to actively support stable living conditions for youth.

In addition, last April, the city opened the "Naeil Dream Workshop," a youth complex space. The "Naeil Dream Workshop" serves as a hub for youth activities, providing a base for entrepreneurship, capacity building, and networking. By connecting with the Youth Policy Coordination Committee, Policy Council, and Event Planning Group, the city operates a governance structure that allows young people to participate as "planners" rather than just "beneficiaries" of policy.

Notably, this year, the city is focusing on activating youth-led governance by enabling young people to directly plan and operate Youth Week events through the "Youth Event Planning Group" and by forming the "Glocal Youth Group" to lead international exchange programs, thereby encouraging youth participation and decision-making.

A city official stated, "Goyang City has chosen 'policy evolution' that transforms the lives of young people, rather than simply ending the Youth Basic Income," adding, "We will build a city where all young people can grow together through practical growth policies that value opportunities over cash and sustainability over short-term measures."

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