Mapo-gu is offering college students and unemployed young adults a chance to gain firsthand experience in public administration this summer.
The district office, led by District Mayor Park Kang-su, is recruiting 25 participants for its "2026 Second-Half Administrative Experience Part-Time Program."
The program places young participants at the district office, neighborhood community centers, public health centers and libraries, where they assist with a range of administrative tasks — giving them a practical understanding of public administration and a chance to explore career paths in the public sector.
Applicants must be registered residents of Mapo-gu as of June 8, the application opening date, and must be either enrolled or on leave from a university (graduate students excluded), or unemployed youth between the ages of 19 and 34.
However, those who have worked in Mapo-gu's university student part-time program within the past three years, or who were previously selected but canceled before or on their start date, are not eligible to apply.
Of the 25 slots available, eight will be filled through priority selection and 17 through general selection.
Priority selection candidates include recipients of basic livelihood benefits and near-poverty households (applicants or their children), registered persons with disabilities, families with three or more children, North Korean defectors, children of multicultural families, and national merit recipients or their children.
Applications are open from Monday through June 12 via the Mapo-gu district office website.
Selection will take place June 15 through a public computerized lottery at the Mapo-gu Office of Autonomous Administration. Applicants are welcome to observe the draw in the interest of transparency.
Results will be posted on the Mapo-gu district office website's notice board at 6 p.m. the same day.
Selected participants will be assigned to the district office, neighborhood community centers, public health centers and libraries from July 2 to July 29 — approximately four weeks — where they will assist with computer-based tasks, document management and resident inquiry services.
The position runs five days a week, five hours a day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a daily pay of 60,605 won (about $39) including a meal allowance. Working hours may be adjusted depending on the assigned department's needs.
"This program goes beyond a simple short-term job — it is a meaningful opportunity for young people to experience public service firsthand and explore their career direction," a Mapo-gu official said. "We hope it will be a valuable time for participants to meet residents as members of a public organization and witness how policy comes to life in the field."
The program is expected to draw strong interest from job-seeking youth and university students hoping to enter the public sector, as it offers hands-on work experience and direct exposure to public service during the summer break.
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