Hwaseong Special City Wins Grand Prize at '9th Youth-Friendly Commendation Awards'

Hwaseong Special City (Mayor Jung Myeong-geun) has won the grand prize in the basic local government category at the '2026 9th Youth-Friendly Commendation Awards.'

This is the second consecutive year winning the grand prize following last year, and the third award including the Communications Award in 2023, recognizing continuous achievements and excellence in youth policy.

The Youth-Friendly Commendation Awards, organized by the Korea Youth and Future Association under the jurisdiction of the National Assembly Secretariat, is designed to commend the achievements and contributions of institutions that have contributed to creating a youth-friendly environment. The evaluation focused on the operation of youth participation institutions, 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 support for jeonse deposit loans, and has contributed to alleviating economic burdens and improving quality of life for youth through employment and job support for slow learners and youth job encouragement allowance programs to promote long-term employment and local settlement of young employees in small and medium enterprises.

Furthermore, the city was recognized for its tangible youth policies aimed at creating a city where young people want to live and stay, including expanded operation of youth policy consultation bodies, introduction of youth participatory budgeting, youth member quota systems on various committees, youth policy idea contests, and the operation of youth policy promotional supporters that reflect youth voices in policies.

Mayor Jung Myeong-geun of Hwaseong Special City stated, "This award is the result of viewing youth not as beneficiaries of policies but as active participants in building the future of the region, and actively reflecting youth voices in city administration. We will pursue more comprehensive policies so that young people can experience tangible changes in areas closely related to their lives, including housing, employment, and policy participation."

The awards ceremony is scheduled to be held at the National Assembly Members' Hall on September 9 during the '2026 9th Korea Youth Day' commemoration ceremony.