Seoul has passed two new laws to provide official support for World Youth Day, which the South Korean capital will host in 2027. Source: UCA News.
The Seoul Metropolitan Council passed the “Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on Support for the 41st Seoul World Youth Day 2027” and the “Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Ordinance on Support for the 41st Seoul World Youth Day 2027” during its plenary session on June 24.
The government support ordinance passed 47-4, with eight abstentions among 59 members present. The education office ordinance passed 48-6, with seven abstentions among 61 members present.
With the measures approved, preparations for WYD Seoul can proceed under an official support framework involving the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.
The laws establish administrative and institutional backing for areas including accommodation, food, transportation, safety, medical services and sanitation, as well as the use of school facilities, interagency cooperation, volunteer management, and cultural and tourism programs.
The National Assembly previously passed the Act on Support for International Cultural Events to assist with organizing WYD 2027.
Government and Church officials say organising a global event like WYD requires coordination between the Church, the national government, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, and autonomous districts.
Government officials said the education ordinance will allow school facilities such as gymnasiums to be used for housing large numbers of participants.
Fr Joseph Lee Young-je, planning director of the WYD local organising committee, called the ordinances essential to the event’s preparations.
“The two ordinances passed by the Seoul Metropolitan Council provide essential legal and administrative foundations for the successful hosting of Seoul WYD,” he said.
Church and government agencies are expected to finalise detailed implementation plans covering housing and meal arrangements, school facility use, crowd control, traffic management, heatwave and heavy rain responses, emergency medical systems and volunteer coordination.
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to attend World Youth Day, set for August 3-8, 2027. The event is expected to draw up to 2 million participants from about 190 countries, according to media reports.
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South Korea passes laws to support Seoul World Youth Day 2027 (UCA News)
