Korea’s first rent-free housing program, providing 150 homes for young workers relocating to Naju
Partnership with the Jeonnam Youth Startup Academy, creating dedicated spaces for young entrepreneurs
Selected for a regional employment creation initiative, securing KRW 2.6 billion in national funding
Expanded Naju Love Learning Voucher program and year-round hourly childcare for wider support for families

The Naju City Government in Jeollanam-do is transforming itself into a city where young people can achieve their dreams with a comprehensive package of youth-focused policies spanning employment, housing, culture, and welfare. Going beyond a focus on attracting young residents, Naju’s youth policies are designed to support every stage of life—from settlement and employment to marriage, childbirth, and child-rearing. By providing real-life assistance to support young people’s self-reliance and stable futures, the city is maximizing the impact of its youth initiatives. The following are some of Naju’s key youth policies.

Wider employment support—from job placement to entrepreneurship
Naju has taken an active approach to addressing youth employment challenges through job placement programs and talent development initiatives. The city was recently selected for a regional employment creation project linked to strategic local industries, securing a record KRW 2.6 billion in national government funding. Under the initiative, Naju intends to establish an integrated support system that connects workforce training, employment, and settlement. The goal is to enable highly skilled professionals trained at institutions such as the Korea Institute of Energy Technology and the Naju Electric Power Technology Training Center to secure stable employment with local companies and build long-term careers in the region.

Naju has also been selected for the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s Youth Challenge Support Program for a second consecutive year. Through the program, 78 young people—including those who have given up on job searching—receive motivation-building programs, employment readiness training, and connections to the National Employment Support Program to help them successfully enter the workforce.
The city is also expanding opportunities for young entrepreneurs. A youth startup center, established through Korea’s first collaborative project with the Jeonnam Youth Startup Academy operated by the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency, recently opened on the 3rd floor of the Bitgaram Multipurpose Culture and Sports Center. Seven startup companies have already moved into the facility. Under the partnership, Naju provides office space while the startup academy offers education, mentoring, and networking opportunities, helping young entrepreneurs minimize trial and error and successfully commercialize their business ideas.

Korea’s first rent-free housing program to support residential stability
Naju has launched Korea’s first “rent-free housing” initiative, providing affordable housing for young adults aged 18 to 45 who secure employment in the city and relocate there.
The city covers rental deposits of approximately KRW 50 million, while residents are responsible only for monthly maintenance fees. Housing contracts are offered for an initial two-year period with the option of a one-time extension, allowing residents to stay for up to four years. This gives young people valuable time to build savings and prepare for homeownership.
The program began with 30 housing units in 2023 and expanded to 70 in 2024, 35 in 2025, and 15 in 2026, bringing the total to 150. Because eligibility is limited to young people relocating from outside Naju, the initiative is also contributing directly to population growth. Current residents include 49% in their 20s, 41% in their 30s, and 10% in their 40s, demonstrating the program’s role in helping young adults settle into the local community.

Enhancing quality of life through culture and education
To expand access to cultural and educational opportunities, Naju became the first local government in Jeollanam-do to introduce a lifelong learning subsidies program, known as the Naju Love Learning Voucher. The initiative was designed to ensure that residents outside the Seoul metropolitan area can enjoy high-quality cultural, educational, and leisure experiences while improving their overall quality of life.
Introduced in 2023, the program provides KRW 150,000 in lifelong learning support to residents aged 19 and older. The number of beneficiaries has steadily increased from 2,500 in 2023 to 3,000 in 2024, and 5,000 annually in both 2025 and 2026. The vouchers allow young people to pursue interests ranging from sports, music, art, and crafts to professional development, job skills training, and certification programs without significant financial burden.

Support for marriage, childbirth, and parenting
To address Korea’s low birthrate and population decline, Naju is reinforcing policies that connect marriage, childbirth, and childrearing support.
For engaged couples living in Naju, the city operates the “My Very Own Wedding” program. This small-scale public wedding initiative uses local landmarks as wedding venues, such as the Naea of Naju Moksa and Bitgaram Lake Park. Recognizing the growing financial burden of wedding expenses, the city provides venues and supports wedding-related costs of up to KRW 5 million, lowering the burden of young couples.
Newly married couples are also eligible for a one-time marriage congratulatory grant of KRW 2 million. Last year alone, 331 couples were benefited, helping them establish their new households.
Naju has also expanded childcare support to create an environment where young parents can confidently balance work and family life. The city became the first local government in Jeollanam-do to operate year-round hourly childcare centers. Three facilities—Kinderbrain Daycare Center in 2023, Nampyeong Daycare Center in 2024, and Gungjeon Daycare Center in 2024—have been designated to promote marriage as a favorable option for young people.

Acting Mayor Kang Sang-gu stated, “Naju is systematically implementing youth support policies that address every aspect of life so that young people may settle in the city and enjoy fulfilling lives. We will continue to focus our administrative efforts on expanding practical support to bring tangible benefits to young people’s lives.”