The headquarters of the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service in Jung-gu, Ulsan [Yonhap]
The headquarters of the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service in Jung-gu, Ulsan [Yonhap]

The Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service has launched a scholarship and one-on-one mentoring program to help vulnerable youth in Ulsan achieve independence, targeting young people struggling with family caregiving responsibilities and social isolation.

The agency held a scholarship presentation ceremony Wednesday at the Ulsan Youth Future Center, announcing its "Ulsan Crisis and Vulnerable Youth Support Project." It presented scholarships to five recipients, including university students who have consistently volunteered at local study centers serving underprivileged children.

The project aims to help young people facing not only financial hardship but also compounding difficulties such as family caregiving duties and social isolation, giving them a stable foundation to build independence and plan for the future. University students who have consistently volunteered at community study centers for children from low-income households are also eligible.

The agency worked with the Ulsan Youth Future Center to identify youth in need and selected scholarship recipients through a review process. The scholarships may be used for living expenses and self-development activities.

The program goes beyond one-time financial assistance — agency staff will serve as one-on-one mentors for each scholarship recipient. Plans call for practical and emotional support, including career counseling, job-search preparation, personal consultations and cultural experiences.

Through ongoing communication and engagement, the agency aims to ease social isolation among at-risk youth and help them build healthy social networks within their communities.

"Vulnerable youth need not only financial support but also a reliable relationship in which they can share their concerns and plan their futures together," said Park Jong-gil, president of the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service. "We will continue to provide practical support alongside the local community so that young people can maintain hope and grow into healthy, independent adults."


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