Gijang County in Busan Honored with Presidential Citation as Top Local Government for Excellence in Youth Policy

"Dalbamdalcho" Harmony Festival, Participatory Budgeting, and Addressing Welfare Blind Spots
Youth-Led Policies Receive High Praise

Gijang County (Governor Jeong Jongbok) was selected as an outstanding local government and received the Presidential Citation at the "2025 Government Award for Excellence in Youth Policy," hosted by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and held at the Bank Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, on December 10, 2025.

Busan Gijang County received the Presidential Citation for excellence in youth policy and is taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Gijang County

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family conducted a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of youth policies, as well as a cooperative assessment of local governments, targeting 17 metropolitan cities and provinces and 228 cities, counties, and districts nationwide. Institutions that demonstrated significant achievements in strengthening policy foundations were selected for recognition.

Gijang County achieved the highest honor, the Presidential Citation, in this evaluation by being recognized for its accomplishments in implementing customized policies for local youth.

Gijang County received high marks for actively promoting policies that expand opportunities for cultural participation, such as operating the "Dalbamdalcho Youth Harmony Festival," revitalizing the youth participatory budgeting system, and supporting various youth arts organizations to strengthen youth initiative.

In addition, policies aimed at addressing welfare blind spots, including revitalizing youth clubs, providing meal support for out-of-school youth in the Gijang model, and offering entrance congratulatory funds, were also highlighted as exemplary cases.

The county was also positively evaluated for its efforts to expand youth living and cultural infrastructure, including the operation of three youth training facilities, the planned opening of a new youth center in 2026, and the promotion of a youth hostel project.

Governor Jeong Jongbok stated, "The core of Gijang County's youth policy is to view youth not as objects of protection, but as agents driving regional change. We will continue to strengthen the three pillars of participation, protection, and growth in a balanced manner, and carefully reflect the opinions of youth, parents, and field leaders in our policies to create an environment where youth can grow up healthier."

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