Seoul's Jung-gu district is launching a concerted push to make the area a place where young people can pursue their ambitions and put down permanent roots.
The district established the "Naepyeon Youth Policy Task Force" (Youth TF) on Thursday to bring its scattered youth initiatives under unified management and accelerate their implementation. The goal is to provide comprehensive support covering everything from settlement and independence to long-term growth.
Led by the deputy district mayor, the Youth TF operates through three working groups: a residential stability team, a lifestyle support team and a growth support team. Thirteen working-level departments and the Jung-gu Facilities Management Corporation are collaborating as one team to drive a total of 33 youth projects. Existing policies will be refined to better reflect young residents' perspectives, while new programs will be actively developed to meet their evolving needs.
Young people are an indispensable part of Jung-gu's community. As of February, approximately 37,600 residents between the ages of 19 and 39 — about 32 percent of the district's total population — live in Jung-gu, surpassing Seoul's average of 29.1 percent. In some neighborhoods, including Jangchung-dong, Gwanghui-dong, Euljiro-dong and Hwanghak-dong, the youth share exceeds 40 percent. The district plans to roll out policies that take a close look at young people's daily lives and deliver tangible benefits, so they choose to stay in Jung-gu rather than leave.
Jung-gu has consistently expanded support for young residents, covering exam fees for unemployed youth seeking professional certifications, injury insurance for those on military service, transportation subsidies for low-income college students, self-care allowances for youth who care for family members, and a "Youth Growth Project" to help young people prepare for employment.
The district has also strengthened its youth policy framework through the youth policy network "Cheongjeongnnet" and the Seoul Youth Center Jung-gu, which opened this year.
Under the ninth elected administration, Jung-gu is going a step further, focusing on building a solid foundation for permanent settlement that encompasses housing, independence, employment and everyday life.
The first priority is reducing the housing burden on young residents. The district plans to develop "Naepyeon Jung-gu Sogong STAY," a Jung-gu-style public rental housing complex for youth, and to subsidize loan interest on jeonse and monthly rent deposits for young people and newlyweds. Real estate brokerage fees and moving costs will also be covered to help young residents take their first steps toward settling in Jung-gu.
The district will also help young people build financial independence. A "Naepyeon Youth Preferential Savings Account" will be introduced to support asset accumulation of up to 10 million won ($6,640), while partnerships with local businesses will expand job opportunities and give young people a foothold as they enter the workforce.
Alongside this, the district aims to enrich young residents' daily lives. A collaborative framework between the Seoul Youth Center Jung-gu and the Jung-gu Single-Person Household Support Center will be established to deliver more seamlessly connected services. A "Jung-gu Life-Up Pass" will also be introduced, giving young people access to a range of cultural activities — performances, exhibitions and sports — so they can work, live and find genuine enjoyment in Jung-gu.
The Youth TF will serve as the central engine driving these initiatives. Monthly meetings will be held to share project roadmaps and progress updates, and cross-departmental challenges will be tackled collaboratively. The task force also plans to continuously identify and develop new programs.
"Young people are the driving force who breathe vitality into the city and shape its future," District Mayor Kim Gil-sung said. "We will do our utmost to deliver policies that young residents can truly feel and rely on, so they can freely pursue their dreams and build stable lives right here in Jung-gu."
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