Hwaseong Special City Wins Grand Prize at '9th Youth-Friendly Commendation Awards'

Hwaseong Special City (Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun) has won the grand prize in the basic local government category at the '2026 9th Youth-Friendly Commendation Awards.'

This is the second consecutive year to win the grand prize, following last year's win, and marks the third award following the Communication Award in 2023, recognition of consistent achievements and excellence in the field of youth policy.

The Youth-Friendly Commendation Awards, hosted by the Korea Youth and Future Association under the jurisdiction of the National Assembly Secretariat, is an award designed to commend the accomplishments and contributions of institutions that have contributed to creating a youth-friendly environment. Evaluation was focused on the operation of youth participation bodies, youth support projects, and the hosting and participation in youth-related events.

Hwaseong Special City has promoted housing and living stability policies including Hwaseong-type youth monthly rent support and interest support for jeonse deposit loans, and through youth job encouragement fund support projects for employment and job support for slow learners and long-term employment of young workers in small and medium enterprises and regional settlement, it has contributed to easing economic burdens and improving quality of life for young people.

Additionally, the city has been recognized for practical, experiential youth policy outcomes for creating a city where young people want to live and stay by expanding the operation of youth policy councils, introducing participatory budgeting for youth, implementing youth member quotas on various committees, hosting youth policy idea competitions, and organizing and operating youth policy publicity supporters to reflect the voices of youth in policy.

Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun of Hwaseong Special City stated, "This award is the result of viewing youth not as policy beneficiaries but as subjects actively shaping the region's future, and actively reflecting their voices in city administration," and added, "We will pursue even more comprehensive policies so that young people can experience tangible changes in areas closely related to their lives, including housing, employment, and policy participation."

The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place at the National Assembly Members' Hall on September 9th, when the '2026 9th Republic of Korea Youth Day' commemorative ceremony will be held.