Oh Se-hoon: “Prepare policies to help young people rebuild their self-esteem” ... Seoul expands support

[Financial News] The Seoul Metropolitan Government is preparing support measures to help young people rebuild their self-esteem and form social connections. It plans to strengthen existing policies and develop new programs so young people can have their worth recognized in society and feel a sense of belonging, going beyond employment support and psychological counseling. At an executive meeting on the 27th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon referred to an in-depth media report on the difficult realities facing young people and instructed officials to “step up policy efforts at the city-government level so that young people can have their worth recognized in society and raise their self-esteem themselves.”
Oh went on to say, “Today, young people face a reality in which, amid fierce competition and difficult social conditions, it is hard for them even to have their worth as individuals recognized.” He added, “At times like these, it is important to give them confidence that society is not turning away from their struggles and is working with them to address them.”
He particularly stressed the need to expand meaningful opportunities for young people to participate, so they can see themselves as needed by society and put their abilities to use. To that end, he called for linking youth support programs with the Seoul Without Loneliness policy being pursued by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government currently supports career exploration, improved self-esteem and the development of interpersonal relationships through the Youth Life Design School. For isolated and reclusive young people, it operates the Seoul Youth Gijigae Center to help them return to society and rebuild relationships.
It has also established channels through the Seoul Mind Convenience Store and Loneliness, Hello 120 where residents, including young people, can communicate and receive counseling in their daily lives. 
The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to hold an executive meeting on the Seoul Without Loneliness Season 2, chaired by Mayor Oh, on the 30th and discuss follow-up measures. The meeting will consider ways to incorporate support for alleviating loneliness and restoring social connections into policies pursued by each department, as well as identify new initiatives that reflect the characteristics of young people. 
Mayor Oh said, “Helping young people discover their worth and live as confident members of society is an important responsibility of city government.” He added, “Not only the department responsible for youth affairs but also other relevant departments should work together to develop concrete policies that enable young people to be recognized through their social relationships and rebuild their self-esteem.” 

[email protected] Seong Chorong Reporter