About 80 elementary school students across four sessions took part in the program, gaining hands-on experience in democratic decision-making
The Gwangjin-gu Assembly concluded its 2026 children and youth mock council program Thursday, wrapping up the final session at Dongja Elementary School.
Held over four sessions this year, the program drew about 80 elementary school students from across the district, giving them a closer look at local government and a chance to experience democratic decision-making firsthand.
The sessions ran from Monday through Thursday, with 83 students participating from Dongja Elementary School, Yangjin Elementary School, Gunnam Elementary School and other schools.
After touring the assembly building, participants took on the roles of speaker, lawmaker and secretary-general in the main chamber, working through the procedures of a real council session.
The mock agendas were tailored to students' interests and included bills on a pet ownership tax, the installation of CCTV cameras in schools to prevent bullying, and a ban on smartphone use during class — each debated with the same procedures used in actual council meetings.
Students received completion certificates at the end of the program, and the event closed with a photo session at the speaker's chair.
Gwangjin-gu Assembly Speaker Ko Yang-seok said he hoped the program would allow students to experience grassroots democracy firsthand and grow into engaged, mature citizens. "We will continue working to offer an even more enriching and satisfying program going forward," he added.
The Gwangjin-gu Assembly runs the mock council program for local children and youth each year during recess periods. The program is set to continue next year, targeting elementary and middle schools in the district. Schools and organizations wishing to participate may apply through the assembly's proceedings team.
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