North Gyeongsang Provincial Assembly holds youth parliament session for Pohang students

The North Gyeongsang Provincial Assembly gave local students a hands-on look at how regional government works, offering them a chance to experience the role of the provincial council and its democratic decision-making process.

The assembly hosted the 144th North Gyeongsang Provincial Assembly Youth Parliament Classroom on Friday at the main chamber of the provincial assembly building in Andong, bringing together 24 first- and second-year students from Ocheon High School in Pohang.

The students took seats in the chamber as if they were actual provincial assembly members, delivering three-minute free speeches and putting forward a range of policy proposals to experience firsthand how the assembly conducts its legislative work.

Their proposals touched on issues closely tied to school life — improvements to interschool sports leagues, student-led reviews and feedback on school policy, concerns over excessive reliance on generative AI, better restroom facilities on campus, and expansion of student rest areas.

The session also included debate and a vote on two draft ordinances: one on activating student policy proposals and discussion, and another on school safety and injury prevention. Students wrapped up the program after working through five agenda items in total, including a motion to summon a relevant civil servant.

Provincial Assembly Member Park Jeong-ho (Pohang District 8), who took part in the session, said the improvement proposals the students presented "could become an important starting point for changing the local community." Park added that the program offered "an opportunity to learn the importance of democratic decision-making — respecting each other's views and working toward reasonable solutions."