"We Need to Lower the Threshold of Congress for Students to Access"... Jeong Ye-ji, Bupyeong District Council Member, Emphasizes the Effectiveness of Council Experience

Bupyeong District Council Member Jeong Ye-ji (Democratic Party of Korea, Proportional Representative) strongly urged for field-centered administrative support to enhance youth access to the council. In particular, she emphasized the need for a 'youth-friendly council' by calling for the provision of transportation convenience and the production of promotional content that reflects the latest trends, moving away from formal experience programs.

During the major work report of the Bupyeong District Council Secretariat held on the 27th of last month, Member Jeong targeted the chronic issue of 'transportation' that has been pointed out as a barrier to youth council experience programs.

Member Jeong mentioned the 'Long-distance Vehicle Support for Elementary, Middle, and High Schools' item submitted by the Secretariat, stating, "In school settings, if bus support is not provided, it is practically very difficult for one teacher to escort many students to the council." She referred to a case last year where a school requested vehicle support but was denied, forcing students to travel in multiple groups, and pressed that "if there are requests, we should actively support transportation using district office buses and so on."

In response, Kim Yoo-jin, the Public Relations Team Leader, replied, "We are generally supporting when the district office vehicles are available," to which Member Jeong emphasized, "Given that the recent experience results are about 9 times a year, it is a level that can be sufficiently supported," reiterating the need for practical administrative service improvements.

Questions regarding the qualitative improvement of content also followed. Member Jeong pointed out that the educational videos for youth produced in 2023 are still being reused, stating, "As times are changing rapidly, we need the latest videos that children can watch and understand immediately." She reminded that she had personally proposed the ordinance related to 'Youth Council Experience' and made it clear that it is essential to ensure 'substance' beyond merely operating the program.

Member Jeong stated, "It is very important for the youth, the future of the council, to see and learn directly from the democratic field," and concluded her inquiry by urging that they pay attention to even the finer details so that children can feel closer to the council.

Meanwhile, on that day, the Council Secretariat reported on the preparations for the 10th Bupyeong District Council's opening and the achievement of an increase in comprehensive integrity rating from grade 2 to grade 1, and it was decided to conduct a separate report on the vehicle support and video production status pointed out by Member Jeong.