Youth from Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province, have made their mark on the national stage with notable achievements in policy and the arts. Overcoming the challenges of their remote border region, they have demonstrated their capabilities through policy proposals and high-level performances, instilling pride in their community.
According to Hwacheon County on August 4, the youth participation committee 'Aegis,' affiliated with the Hwacheon Youth Training Center, secured third place at the 2026 Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Youth Policy Proposal Contest held in Wonju on August 1.
The youth policy proposal contest is a participatory program designed for young people to identify inconveniences in their daily lives and local issues, and to propose solutions that can be reflected in policy.
The 'Aegis' team proposed the 'Dreaming-PASS' policy, which ensures youth mobility rights by addressing public transportation conditions in rural areas. Their proposal was well-received for effectively addressing the real challenges faced by local youth and presenting feasible alternatives.
The Hwacheon Youth Participation Committee consists of eight local youth members. They hold regular meetings to discuss local issues and actively engage in discovering various policies from a youth perspective.
On the same day, the Hwacheon Youth Symphony Orchestra showcased their exceptional skills on the national stage. The orchestra participated in the 11th Korea Youth Symphony Festival held at the Gunpo Cultural Arts Center on August 1, performing three pieces, including the fourth movement of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67, and received the Beethoven Passion Award.
The members have enhanced their musical proficiency through long-term collaboration, earning recognition for their stable ensemble performance and high-level musicianship. In October, they are set to hold an overseas exchange concert in Germany, showcasing the artistic talents of Hwacheon youth on an international stage.
This achievement is seen as a testament to how Hwacheon youth are building national competitiveness in policy participation and cultural arts, despite the limitations of their educational and cultural environment in a border mountainous area. As they design the future of their community and expand their activities to national and global stages, Hwacheon County's youth development policies are also yielding visible results.
Hwacheon County Mayor Kim Se-hoon expressed pride in the youth for their initiative in addressing local issues and proposing policies, stating, "I am very proud that the youth have thought about local problems and made proposals. We will continue to actively support their autonomous activities so that their voices can be reflected in county governance and create an environment where they can freely showcase their dreams and talents on domestic and international stages."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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