- Having achieved the feat of winning the award three years in a row, taking a leap forward as a youth-empowered city -

Ulsan Nam-gu (Mayor Dong-wook Seo) announced that it had received the “Grand Award” in the Excellent Municipality category of the Youth-Friendly Parliamentary Awards at the 2025 9th Korea Youth Day Ceremony, held at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea in Yeouido.

Nam-gu was selected for the Grand Prize in recognition of its achievements across all areas of youth policy, marking its third consecutive year of honors ― following the Grand Prize in 2023 and the Communication Award in 2024.

The “Youth-Friendly Parliamentary Awards,” organized by the incorporated association Youth and Future under the Jurisdiction of the National Assembly Secretariat, is presented to municipalities that contribute to creating a youth-friendly environment through a comprehensive evaluation of their implementation of youth policies, communication and participation with youth, and youth support programs.

Nam-gu is performing a total of 48 youth policy tasks in the 4 areas of jobs, culture and education, welfare and economy, and participation rights under the vision of “a vibrant city shaped by youth, a Nam-gu with empowering youth”.

The jobs sector includes 13 projects such as the Hope Start Program for Youth Startup Stores, youth entrepreneur training, and operation of a youth mentoring program, and 14 projects in the culture and education sector such as the Youth Festa, themed special youth lecture, and support for youth gathering activities, etc.

In the welfare and economy sector, 15 projects are being being carried out, such as the Special Support for Youth Monthly Rent, support for revitalizing the Kids & Mom Youth Mall, and the operation of Life Love Supporters program. The participation and rights sector features 6 specialized projects, including the operation of a youth policy deliberation committee, youth Pulitzer reporters, and youth policy surveys.

In particular, the foundation for youth participation in policymaking is being expanded such as appointing a youth policy advisor to put in charge of establishing youth policies, and a policy suggestion sharing session centered around the youth policy committee is operated to reflect the opinions of youth in policies, etc.

Furthermore, youth participation programs such as support for youth gathering activities, mentor group of senior employees, and youth entrepreneur networking day, etc. are being operated as part of various communication programs with youth, supported by strengthening communication and competence of youth through youth-led events such as the Youth Festa and themed youth lecture, etc.

Nam-gu Mayor Dong-wook Seo emphasized “Receiving the Youth-Friendly Parliamentary Award for three consecutive years is a truly meaningful honor. We will continue to advance policies by communicating with young people across the various areas of entrepreneurship, employment, housing, childcare, and welfare infrastructure, and ensure these policies can be felt by youth”, and added “Nam-gu will continue to strive to become a reliable partner for youth during their path of hopes and challenges.”