On the 6th the city of Gumi finalized its "2026 Gumi City Youth Policy Implementation Plan," worth a total of 76.7 billion won, and began carrying it out. It is organized into seven areas and 74 detailed projects. That is 14 more projects and 46.6 billion won more in budget than the previous year, the largest scale on record.
Behind it are the population figures. As of the end of February, Gumi's youth population stands at 104,837, about 26 percent of the total. Since 2024 the city has run a task force on comprehensive measures to prevent youth outflow and has expanded hub spaces and housing support.
At the center of this year's plan is the "Work, Employment, Rent, Growth" package. It combines 350,000 won in job preparation funds, 2.4 million won in monthly rent, and 800,000 won in study grants, for up to 3.55 million won per person. "SE7EN-UP 3.0," which covers study, employment, startups, and settlement, is running alongside it.
Housing support has widened. The Gumi-style youth rent subsidy pays 100,000 won a month for up to 24 months, and support for interest on jeonse and monthly rent deposit loans has risen to up to 1.2 million won a year. A local settlement happy studio project runs in parallel. Prospective founders can receive up to 20 million won, centered on the youth arts startup district.
It is not only money on the table. The RISE project, joined by Kumoh National Institute of Technology, Kyungwoon University, and Gumi University, links local education and employment, and a small and medium enterprise full-time employment project connects jobs and people. High school and university students who move into the city receive up to 800,000 won in study grants, and a job preparation free pass provides up to 250,000 won a year. The culture and arts pass has risen to 200,000 won.
One notable response is on the side of young women. In line with the outflow of women aged 20-24, a 2030 women's subcommittee was newly created within the youth policy participation group, and its launch ceremony was held on the 31st of last month. Support for women's startups, employment consulting, and a K-Mom taxi service for pregnant women are also being run.
The same day in Seoul there was a conversation of a different tone. The Office of the Senior Secretary for National Unity at Cheong Wa Dae invited 15 people, including young family caregivers, isolated and reclusive youth, and youth preparing for independence, and held "A Conversation Outside the Box." What the participants pointed to was support criteria that differ by ministry, and people who do not know a policy exists even when it does. The size of support and its reach are different matters.
The units of support periods and the eligibility requirements have not been finalized. So the success or failure of this plan will show in whether the person who received 3.55 million won is still working in the same city two years later. Jobs worth staying for after the 24 months of rent support end, and the words exchanged in channels like the women's subcommittee, will make that answer. What appears in the bank account is the subsidy, but what holds people is usually what comes after it.
