57 residents sign up despite cap of 50, confirming strong volunteer spirit among young people
Corps kicks off with plogging run along Hongjecheon; kimchi-making and coal briquette deliveries planned for November
Youth-led community volunteering is bringing new warmth to local neighborhoods, as young residents take it upon themselves to look after and improve the areas where they live.
Seodaemun-gu announced Wednesday that its newly formed Seodaemun-gu Youth Volunteer Corps has begun full operations following a launch ceremony held Sept. 19.
The district began recruiting volunteers on Aug. 31, responding to a shift toward more self-directed, autonomous participation in community service. The drive targeted residents and university students between the ages of 19 and 39 living in the district, with an initial goal of 50 members — but stronger-than-expected interest pushed final enrollment to 57.
The corps held its first activity on the day of the launch ceremony: a roughly one-hour plogging session — jogging while picking up litter — along the streets near Hongjecheon stream. Participants said the outing gave them a chance to take a closer look at their neighborhood environment, which they had often passed by without a second thought.
"I was surprised by how much trash there was on the roadside," one volunteer said. "As I kept picking it up, I really felt how easily the environment gets dirty if no one pays attention. Taking direct action made me rethink what volunteering really means."
The corps is not a one-off initiative. The district plans to conduct a needs survey to identify the volunteer fields and programs young people want, and will provide support for individual volunteer activities.
The district also plans to connect the corps with local volunteer networks and businesses so members can take part in making kimchi and delivering coal briquettes to the Gaemi Village community in November.
Volunteers will receive incentives including official recognition of their volunteer hours and commendations for outstanding service.
At the launch ceremony held at the district office's planning operations room, participants read a pledge together, aligning on the direction of their activities and reaffirming their commitment to building what they called "a golden age of Seodaemun volunteering with youth." They also completed a basic volunteer training session covering fundamental conduct and safety guidelines.
"We will connect young people with the diverse resources in our community so they can consistently find and take part in volunteer activities that match their interests and abilities," Seodaemun-gu District Mayor Park Un-gi said. "Our goal is to create an environment where volunteering flows naturally as part of everyday life."
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