“Our neighborhood problems, our solutions”… Uijeongbu high schoolers find answers to local issues

High school students in Uijeongbu, South Korea, are taking an active role in addressing local challenges through the '2026 Uijeongbu Local Maker Project.' At a recent presentation, students from Uijeongbu and Balgok high schools showcased innovative solutions to community problems. One ambitious project focused on repurposing Camp Red Cloud, a former US military base returned to South Korea in 2022. Students envisioned transforming the site into a vibrant space for youth and citizens, featuring an exhibition hall for youth art, a performance venue, a design studio, and a startup incubator. They also proposed converting the underground bunkers into a museum preserving the base's history and creating a glamping site.

The project, organized by the schools and local educational communities, involved over 100 students who spent months researching and developing their ideas. They interviewed local activists and residents, requested policy data from the city, and conducted public surveys. Their efforts yielded practical solutions for everyday issues, such as designing streetlamp-attachable cigarette butt collectors and creating eco-friendly fertilizer from leftover melon peels. Other proposals included developing tourism programs to reduce the deficit of the light rail and finding domestic sources for discontinued parts.

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I thought we needed a place where children could easily come and enjoy themselves, while also remembering that this was once a US military base.

Further in-depth research explored the challenges of the Jeil Market commercial district, social isolation, eco-friendly food, and elderly welfare budgets. Students also addressed the transportation needs of elderly learners at the Noseong Night School, proposing shuttle bus routes and utilizing existing student buses for evening commutes. Another team delved into the history of Durebang, an organization founded in 1986 to protect the rights of women in former US military "camptown" areas, creating informational materials to raise awareness.

Students plan to present their proposals directly to Uijeongbu Mayor Kim Won-ki on the 27th, seeking to have their ideas incorporated into city policy. The exhibition boards detailing their projects will also be displayed at the city council. This initiative highlights a growing trend of youth engagement in local governance and problem-solving, demonstrating their commitment to improving their communities.

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At first, I didn't think much of it, but there were so many things we didn't know. The process of figuring out how to share this information was continuous. It became an opportunity to discover the value of our local community anew.