Mapo-gu (district mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) is recruiting about 25 students for the 11th cohort of its youth honorary reporter program for the district newsletter "Naegojang Mapo," with applications accepted from Tuesday through Sept. 11.
The youth honorary reporters cover local stories — school events, neighborhood happenings, district festivals and landmarks — and publish their work in "Naegojang Mapo," a participatory program that gives young residents a direct voice in the community newsletter.
The district has run the children and youth honorary reporter program since 2016. The 10th cohort covered a range of local experiences, including the Mapo Children's English Library, a newly opened library at Seoul Girls' Middle School, a flower-planting event at Donggyo Elementary School, and a visit to the "Splendid Hermitage" exhibition.
The 11th cohort is open to students in grades 5 and 6 at local elementary schools and to middle school students in the district, with about 25 participants to be selected.
Applications proceed through school principal recommendations. Students who wish to participate should obtain an application form from their school, complete it and submit it along with a passport-style photo.
If recommendations exceed available spots, selections will be based on equitable participation across schools and the order of recommendations. Current members may serve one additional consecutive term.
Selected reporters will cover local news from October through September 2027 — a one-year term.
Reporters must write up their coverage as an article of at least half an A4 page and post it to the youth honorary reporter "Reporter's Notebook" section on the Mapo-gu website.
Selected articles will be published in the monthly "Naegojang Mapo," and contributing reporters will receive culture gift vouchers as compensation. Outstanding reporters will also receive a commendation from the district mayor. For more information, contact the Mapo-gu Office's Public Relations and Media Division.
"Stories about schools and neighborhoods seen through the eyes of young people become a precious record of Mapo's many faces," district mayor Yoo said. "We hope many young residents who are curious about their community and eager to try reporting and writing will take part."
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