Hamyang County will hold the '2026 Hamyang County Youth Day Talk Concert' on September 19 at Choi Chi-won Historical Park to engage with local youth.
Following its recent recognition as a youth-friendly legislative body for three consecutive years, the county is also advancing lifelong education and small school revitalization initiatives, aiming to strengthen the foundation for youth, middle-aged residents, students, and parents to settle in the area.
Hamyang County announced on the 10th that it will host the '2026 Hamyang County Youth Day Talk Concert' under the theme 'Youth, Immerse in Hamyang: Everyday Life and Dreams' at Choi Chi-won Historical Park on September 19 at 10:30 a.m.
This event, held annually on the third Saturday of September to commemorate 'Youth Day,' aims to support the lives and dreams of local youth while providing a platform for sharing experiences.
The talk concert will feature local entrepreneur Jo Hyun-tae, CEO of 'Dooji,' Park Se-won, head of 'Forest Sisters,' and Oh Hyun-ho, an instructor, pilot, and author. They will share their experiences about life in Hamyang, creating new possibilities in the region, and their challenges and dreams.
Oh Hyun-ho recently appeared on KBS 1TV's 'Human Theater,' where he introduced his life and journey of challenges.
In addition to the talk concert, various interactive programs will be available for youth participation, including busking performances, personal color assessments, tarot counseling for emotional healing, and photo sessions.
Participants will receive welcome coffee, and a giveaway of 'Kkeunekki' prepared by CEO Jo Hyun-tae will continue until supplies last.
Pre-registration is open until 6 p.m. on September 18 for the first 100 applicants via the QR code on the poster or the Seogyeong Broadcasting website.
Registered participants will receive a commemorative gift, and even those who do not pre-register can freely join the event on the day.
On September 9, Hamyang County received the 'Communication Award' in the excellent basic local government category at the '2026 9th Youth-Friendly Legislative Award Ceremony' held at the National Assembly Hall in Yeouido, Seoul.
This marks the third consecutive year that Hamyang County has been recognized with the Youth-Friendly Legislative Award.
Sponsored by the National Assembly and organized by the Youth and Future Association, the award evaluates the youth-friendliness of policies, legislation, and communication, recognizing local governments that contribute to creating a youth-friendly environment.
This year's evaluation was conducted regionally, focusing on the operation of youth participation organizations, youth support projects, and hosting youth-related events, using a 100% quantitative assessment method. Hamyang County was selected for the communication award in the Ulsan and Gyeongnam region.
In response to the decline in youth population and the risk of rural extinction, Hamyang County has been implementing various policies to support youth settlement in the area while continuously providing opportunities for youth to participate and voice their opinions.
Hamyang County is conducting year-round recruitment for its 'Middle and High School Equivalency Program' to assist residents who missed educational opportunities in obtaining their diplomas and achieving self-actualization.
The program is open to all Hamyang residents, including adult learners, middle-aged individuals, and multicultural families, who wish to participate, with the county covering all tuition and textbook costs.
This year, four learners in their 60s and 70s successfully passed the equivalency exam, including the oldest successful candidate in Gyeongnam.
Additionally, a woman in her 40s who completed the equivalency process and obtained a nursing assistant qualification has successfully secured employment at a hospital, along with other learners who have advanced to higher education institutions such as Jinju Broadcasting and Communication High School and Arim High School.
Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings to accommodate work and study schedules. The middle school equivalency class runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., while the high school class operates from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., providing tailored instruction from basic levels according to learners' needs.
The equivalency exams are conducted twice a year, in April and August, and residents interested in enrolling can apply at the Lifelong Education Office on the first floor of the Hamyang County Comprehensive Social Welfare Center.
On September 9, Hamyang County held the fourth meeting of the 'Seosang Elementary School Small School Revitalization Committee' in the conference room on the second floor of the Seosang-myeon Office to review the progress of the project.
The meeting focused on discussing future plans for improving living conditions and creating safe commuting routes for students.
Notably, the construction of rental housing by the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), which had been delayed since being selected for the project in 2024, is set to commence this month.
A total of 10 households are expected to move into the rental housing, and Hamyang County anticipates that this will invigorate Seosang Elementary School and the local community, which has been struggling with declining student numbers.
The county plans to hold a community briefing in line with the housing construction schedule to share project updates and gather resident feedback on creating safe commuting routes and improving living conditions.
The Gyeongnam Small School Revitalization Project aims to address the crisis facing small schools in rural areas due to declining student populations and the decrease in rural residents.
By supporting the construction of rental housing and improving living conditions, the project seeks to encourage the relocation and settlement of students and parents from outside the area, thereby revitalizing small schools and local communities.
The Seosang Elementary School Small School Revitalization Committee consists of 17 members, including representatives from Hamyang County, the Hamyang Education Support Office, Seosang Elementary School, the alumni association, the parents' association, and local residents, who are discussing the main directions and detailed plans for the project.
Hamyang County aims to respond to population decline and rural extinction by linking youth settlement, lifelong learning for residents, and support for students and parents in rural areas.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.