Gangwon Province Vows to Become a Place Where Youth Stay... 1.338 Trillion Won Invested in 81 Projects

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jintae) announced on the 5th the "2026-2030 2nd Basic Plan for Youth Policy," stating that it will fully implement youth support policies by investing 1.338 trillion won in 81 projects over the next five years.

Kim Jintae, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, is announcing the '2026-2030 2nd Basic Plan for Youth Policy' on the 5th. Provided by Gangwon Province.

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The "2nd Basic Plan for Youth Policy of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province" is the first mid- to long-term comprehensive youth policy plan established since the launch of the 8th elected administration, and will serve as the standard that presents the basic direction and implementation goals of youth policy for the next five years.

In the process of drawing up the plan, the province analyzed the achievements and limitations of the "1st Basic Plan for Youth Policy (2021-2025) / 58 projects" and reflected the results of a living conditions survey conducted on 1,500 young people in the province, setting the response to the outflow of the youth population as a core task.

In addition, the province actively identified new projects and supplemented and expanded existing ones, increasing the number of detailed projects from 58 to 81, with a total project budget of 1.338 trillion won (838.9 billion won in national funds, accounting for 62.7% of the total). In particular, in order to create quality jobs, the plan focuses on nurturing young talent in advanced future industries in connection with the "Comprehensive Development Plan for Future Industry Global City," which is the province's top-tier legally mandated plan.

Governor Kim Jintae said, "The future industry global city of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province was created for young people," adding, "There has been a repeated pattern in which young people who graduate from universities in Gangwon leave for the Seoul metropolitan area in search of good jobs."

He went on to say, "We will implement 81 projects with a focus on creating jobs and improving the residential environment so that young people can stay in the region and settle down."

Among the 81 detailed projects across five major areas, the first key area, "Expansion of Youth Employment," will see an investment of 148.4 billion won in 25 projects. Through initiatives such as: support for interest-free loans for youth start-up funds; the Gangwon strategic industry venture fund; support for settlement-oriented youth start-ups (new); and discovering youth role models and building a growth network (new), the province will expand quality jobs and strengthen the youth start-up ecosystem.

Major achievements of youth policies under the 8th elected administration. Provided by Gangwon Province

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Second, in the area of "Creating a Youth-Friendly Residential Environment," 239.5 billion won will be invested in six projects. By implementing programs such as: support for monthly rent for young people; support for housing loan interest for young workers at small and medium-sized enterprises (new); supply of Gangwon-style public rental housing for young people; youth rental housing utilizing vacant homes (new); and creation of youth rural housing, the province will expand the foundation for stable housing for young people.

Third, in the area of "Strengthening the Link between Education and Employment," 830.3 billion won will be invested in 25 projects. Through initiatives such as: nurturing talent for the Gangwon-style semiconductor industry; establishing a digital healthcare AI convergence innovation hub (new); the Regionally Innovative & Specialized Universities (RISE) support system; operating a youth financial literacy school (new); and support for glocal universities, the province will foster key local talent and respond to industrial demand.

Fourth, in the area of "Expanding Welfare and Cultural Infrastructure," 115.2 billion won will be invested in 16 projects. Through programs such as: the Youth Stepping Stone Double Savings; support for self-reliance allowances for care leavers; establishment of Youth Future Centers for reclusive and isolated youth (new); mobile youth cultural centers (new); and support for youth culture and arts passes, the province will strengthen asset building and self-reliance support for young people.

Fifth, in the area of "Expanding Opportunities for Policy Participation," 4.6 billion won will be invested in nine projects. By expanding youth centers in all 18 cities and counties; expanding the youth village-making project; creating youth-friendly cities (new); operating community youth schools (new); and operating youth policy councils, the province will reinforce the foundation for youth participation and expand local youth governance.

Going forward, based on the "2nd Basic Plan for Youth Policy (2026-2030)," the province will prepare specific annual implementation plans starting this year and provide demand-oriented, customized youth policies to young people in the five major areas, including the expansion of youth employment.

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