Chilgok County to Extend "Child-Friendly City" Status for Four More Years Based on Children's Voices

UNICEF Re-Certification Secured
Recognized for Achievements in Child Participation and Rights Protection Policies

Chilgok County in North Gyeongsang Province will continue to maintain its status as a "Child-Friendly City," having been recognized for its achievements in placing children's rights at the center of its administrative policies.

On July 22, Chilgok County announced that it has obtained re-certification as a Child-Friendly City from the Korean Committee for UNICEF.

The county received positive evaluations for consistently implementing policies to guarantee children's rights to survival, protection, development, and participation since its initial certification.

Chilgok County Obtains Re-certification as a Child-Friendly City from the Korea Committee for UNICEF

Photo by Chilgok County

This re-certification is particularly significant because it demonstrates that the county has built an administrative system allowing children to genuinely participate in the policy process, going beyond mere program outcomes.

Chilgok County has reflected children's voices in its administration by operating a Children's Participation Committee and a Children's Rights Ombudsperson, as well as conducting children's rights education and status surveys.

The county has also carried out projects to promote children's rights in areas closely related to daily life, such as play, safety, welfare, and education.

In particular, the county has strengthened the sustainability and effectiveness of its children's policies by reinforcing cooperation between the public and private sectors, centered on the Child-Friendly City Promotion Committee and the Implementation Task Force.

According to its four-year action plan, Chilgok County plans to further increase opportunities for children to participate in policymaking and to enhance experiential policies in areas such as play, culture, safety, and welfare.

The county aims to create an environment where all children are respected without discrimination and are free to express their opinions.

Jaeuk Kim, Mayor of Chilgok County, stated, "This re-certification is an achievement made possible by the efforts of children, citizens, schools, and the local community," adding, "We will work to make Chilgok a city where every child can grow up safely and healthily, and freely express their opinions."

The true value of a Child-Friendly City is realized not in the certification itself, but when children's voices are genuinely reflected in policy and daily life.

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