Gwangmyeong Mayor Park Seung-won's Special Lecture: "Citizens Are the True Owners of Gwangmyeong" - Inspiring Young Leaders Through Local Autonomy Education

A Mayor's Direct Approach to Youth Civic Education

On July 15th, 2025, something remarkable happened at Haan-buk Middle School in Gwangmyeong City. Mayor Park Seung-won didn't just send a representative or deliver a formal speech from city hall – he personally visited the school to engage with over 320 second-year students in what would become a transformative lesson on local autonomy and democratic participation.

This wasn't your typical government official visit. Mayor Park rolled up his sleeves and dove deep into meaningful conversations with teenagers, asking them direct questions like "What are you thinking about these days?" and "If you were the mayor, what would you want to change?" His approach was refreshingly authentic, treating these young minds as future leaders rather than passive recipients of civic information.

The impact was immediate and profound. Students who might normally tune out during traditional lectures found themselves actively engaging with concepts of democracy, local governance, and civic responsibility. One student later reflected, "It was amazing and impressive that the mayor came directly to our school to talk with us. It made me want to participate in making our village and city a better place."

Breaking Down the Barriers of Traditional Civic Education

What made Mayor Park's approach so effective was his rejection of the conventional top-down model of civic education. Instead of lecturing about abstract concepts of governance, he brought democracy down to street level, making it relevant to the daily lives of teenagers.

"Local autonomy isn't the exclusive domain of mayors or administration," Park emphasized to the students. "It's a process where citizens take the lead in creating their communities together. The real owners of Gwangmyeong City aren't the mayor – it's the citizens, and that means all of you sitting here today."

This message resonated particularly strongly in Korean society, where hierarchical structures often discourage young people from seeing themselves as active participants in governance. By explicitly positioning students as the "true owners" of their city, Mayor Park challenged traditional power dynamics and empowered young voices.

The mayor's methodology was equally innovative. Rather than delivering a monologue, he facilitated a dialogue, encouraging students to think critically about their role in shaping their community's future. This participatory approach reflects broader trends in Korean education toward more student-centered learning.

The Broader Context of Youth Engagement in Korean Politics

Mayor Park's initiative comes at a crucial time in Korean society, where youth political engagement has become increasingly important. Recent surveys have shown that while young Koreans are highly educated and digitally connected, many feel disconnected from traditional political processes.

The "2025 Youth Local Autonomy Classroom" program represents a proactive response to this challenge. Rather than waiting for young people to become interested in politics, local governments are now actively cultivating civic engagement from an early age. This approach recognizes that democratic participation is a skill that must be learned and practiced, not something that automatically develops with age.

The program's structure is particularly noteworthy. Following Mayor Park's keynote, students participated in additional sessions led by civic education specialists Kim Young-eon and Lim Ha-ram, who provided both theoretical frameworks and hands-on activities. This multi-layered approach ensures that students don't just hear about democracy – they experience it firsthand through interactive exercises and group discussions.

The timing is also significant, as Korea continues to grapple with questions of local autonomy versus centralized governance. By educating young people about their role in local decision-making, programs like this help build a foundation for more participatory democracy in the future.

Community Response and Educational Impact

The response from the Haan-buk Middle School community has been overwhelmingly positive. Teachers have noted increased student interest in current events and local issues following the mayor's visit. Parents have reported that their children are asking more questions about how their city operates and expressing interest in community volunteer opportunities.

Local media coverage has been extensive, with multiple news outlets highlighting the innovative approach to civic education. The program has been praised for its accessibility and relevance, with education experts noting that it successfully bridges the gap between abstract political concepts and practical civic engagement.

Online communities have also responded enthusiastically, with many netizens praising Mayor Park's hands-on approach to youth engagement. Comments on social media platforms have been largely positive, with users appreciating the mayor's willingness to invest time in direct dialogue with young people rather than relying solely on formal presentations or media appearances.

The program's success has implications beyond Gwangmyeong City. Other local governments are now exploring similar initiatives, recognizing the value of early civic education in building stronger democratic institutions. This grassroots approach to political education represents a significant shift from traditional methods that often treated young people as passive observers rather than active participants.

A Comprehensive Approach to Democratic Education

The "2025 Youth Local Autonomy Classroom" program extends far beyond a single school visit. Gwangmyeong City has committed to reaching 1,200 students across five elementary and middle schools through October 2025. This comprehensive approach includes Gwangmyeong-buk Elementary, Haan-buk Middle School, Bitgaon Elementary, Cheolsan Middle School, and Hail Elementary.

Each school receives a customized program that takes into account the age and developmental stage of its students. Elementary school programs focus on basic concepts of community and cooperation, while middle school sessions delve deeper into democratic processes and civic responsibility. This graduated approach ensures that students build their understanding progressively, creating a solid foundation for lifelong civic engagement.

The program's curriculum is carefully designed to be both educational and engaging. Students participate in role-playing exercises where they take on the roles of city council members, mayors, and civic leaders. These simulations help them understand the complexities of governance while developing critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving skills.

Follow-up activities are equally important. Schools are encouraged to continue the conversation through student council elections, community service projects, and ongoing discussions about local issues. This sustained engagement helps ensure that the impact of the program extends well beyond the initial presentation.

Looking Toward the Future of Civic Engagement

Mayor Park's vision extends far beyond the immediate educational impact of these school visits. His emphasis on "continuous learning" and "solidarity through mutual understanding" reflects a broader philosophy about the role of education in democratic society.

"Your future grows through continuous learning and solidarity that comes from understanding each other," he told the students. "The future of Gwangmyeong also begins with your thoughts and actions as citizens." This message connects personal development with civic responsibility, showing students that their individual growth is intimately connected to their community's wellbeing.

The program also addresses contemporary challenges facing Korean society, including social polarization, generational divides, and the need for more inclusive governance. By teaching young people to see themselves as stakeholders in their community's future, the program helps build bridges across traditional divides and creates space for more diverse voices in local decision-making.

As the program continues to expand, its success will likely inspire similar initiatives across Korea and potentially internationally. The model demonstrates that effective civic education requires more than textbook learning – it demands authentic engagement between elected officials and young citizens, creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue and mutual learning. Through programs like this, Korean local governments are not just educating future voters; they're cultivating future leaders who understand their power and responsibility as active citizens in a democratic society.