Six UNICEF Child Friendly Cities, Including Seoul Dobong and Anyang, Receive Commendation from Health and Welfare Minister

Awarded in the 2026 Evaluation for Creating a Child-Friendly Environment

Six local governments that have either been certified as or are in the process of becoming a "UNICEF Child Friendly City" have received institutional commendations from the Minister of Health and Welfare.

The UNICEF Korea Committee announced on the 19th that Seoul Dobong District, Anyang City in Gyeonggi Province, Chungju City in North Chungcheong Province, Haenam County in South Jeolla Province, Ulju County in Ulsan, and Gumi City in North Gyeongsang Province were recognized in the 2026 "Outstanding Contributions to Creating a Child-Friendly Environment" evaluation, organized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. All of the awardees are local governments that have either been certified as or are working toward UNICEF Child Friendly City status, and they are collaborating with UNICEF to advance policies and institutions that foster a child-friendly environment.

UNICEF Kkalkkal Outdoor Play Photo Contest Excellence Award, "Attchagawo (Jung Baekho)". UNICEF Korea Committee

Seoul Dobong District was recognized for establishing a foundation for children to propose policies and participate in district administration through initiatives such as the Children's and Youth Council and the participatory budgeting system. Anyang City in Gyeonggi Province was acknowledged for actively implementing community-based policies that incorporate the opinions of children. Chungju City in North Chungcheong Province received high marks for activating the Children's Participation Committee and realizing child-centered municipal administration, while Haenam County in South Jeolla Province was praised for leading a policy shift toward recognizing children as rights holders. Ulju County in Ulsan was commended for successfully promoting six key initiatives to build a child-friendly city, and Gumi City in North Gyeongsang Province was recognized for firmly establishing a year-round, 24-hour childcare system, a pediatric and adolescent medical system, and play infrastructure.

Jinmi Cho, Secretary General of the UNICEF Korea Committee, stated, "This commendation is an official recognition of the genuine efforts made by these six UNICEF Child Friendly Cities to create environments that benefit children."

The UNICEF Child Friendly City designation is awarded to local governments that create child-friendly environments based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. A panel of experts evaluates whether a community meets five key assessment criteria necessary to guarantee children's rights, based on the convention's four core principles: non-discrimination, the best interests of the child, survival and development, and respect for the views of the child. Since its launch in Seoul's Seongbuk District in 2013, the initiative has expanded, and as of June this year, 129 local governments nationwide, including 110 certified cities, are working to foster child-friendly communities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.