Hwaseong Special City Wins Grand Prize at '9th Youth-Friendly Civic Award'
Hwaseong Special City (Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun) won the grand prize in the basic local government category at the ‘2026 9th Youth-Friendly Civic Award.’
The grand prize in the Youth Civic Award marks two consecutive years following last year, and represents the third award following the Communication Award in 2023, signifying recognition of consistent achievements and excellence in the youth policy sector.
The Youth-Friendly Civic Award, hosted by the Korea Youth and Future Association under the auspices of the National Assembly Secretariat, is established to honor the achievements and contributions of organizations that have contributed to creating a youth-friendly environment. The awards are evaluated with emphasis on the operation of youth participation organizations, youth support projects, and the hosting and participation in youth-related events.
Hwaseong Special City has implemented housing and living stability policies including Hwaseong-style youth monthly rent support and interest subsidy for jeonse deposit loans, and has contributed to alleviating economic burdens and improving quality of life for youth through employment and job support for youth with slow learning abilities and youth job cheerleading fund support projects for long-term tenure and local settlement of young employees at small and medium-sized enterprises.
Additionally, the city received recognition for tangible youth policy achievements aimed at creating a city where youth want to live and stay, including the expansion of the youth policy council, the introduction of participatory budgeting for youth, youth member quotas on various committees, youth policy idea contests, and the organization and operation of youth policy promotion supporters to reflect youth voices in policy decisions.
Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun of Hwaseong Special City stated, “This award is the result of regarding youth not as beneficiaries of policy but as subjects creating the future of the region together, and actively reflecting youth voices in city administration,” adding “We will pursue policies more meticulously so that youth can experience tangible changes in areas closely related to their lives, including housing, employment, and policy participation.”
Meanwhile, the award ceremony will be held at the National Assembly Members' Hall on September 9 during the ‘2026 9th Republic of Korea Youth Day’ commemoration ceremony.