SPOTLIGHT 26/06/24 South Korea passes laws to support Seoul World Youth Day 2027

[성기화 요셉]

Two ordinances allow the establishing of the administrative and institutional foundations for the global youth event

Young people carry the World Youth Day Cross during the WYD Cross and Icon welcoming ceremony in Seoul on Dec. 20, 2025. (Photo: World Youth Day Seoul 2027 Website)

By UCA News reporter

Published: June 29, 2026 08:47 AM GMT

Updated: June 29, 2026 09:02 AM GMT

Seoul lawmakers have approved two ordinances to provide official support for World Youth Day (WYD), which the South Korean capital will host in 2027.

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 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 ordinances 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 organizing a global event like WYD requires coordination between 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.

Father Joseph Lee Young-je, planning director of the WYD local organizing 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.

“I hope that these ordinances, along with the ‘Act on Support for International Cultural Events’ passed by the National Assembly last March, will lead to active cooperation from the government and local governments.”

The Seoul Metropolitan Government ordinance mandates that the Mayor of Seoul establish and implement a support plan for the successful hosting of  WYD.

The support plan includes the organization and operation of a support group, the installation, use, and post-event utilization of related facilities, safety management and disaster prevention measures, and operational support measures covering transportation, accommodation, catering, medical services, and tourism.

Through the ordinance, the Seoul Metropolitan Government may support the installation, maintenance, and management of competition-related facilities, safety management, order maintenance, and environmental cleanup; transportation, accommodation, and meal services for participants and visitors; recruitment, training, and activities of volunteers; and promotional and cultural events to expand youth participation.

In addition, provisions were made to establish a support consultative body involving relevant central government ministries, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, autonomous districts, and the Seoul WYD Organizing Committee.

Furthermore, it was stipulated that a support team comprising relevant Seoul Metropolitan Government departments, public corporations, and invested or funded institutions be formed, and that a cooperative system be established for various sectors, including accommodation and facilities, food services, safety, hygiene and medical care, transportation, culture and tourism, and administrative support.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education ordinance focuses on supporting the utilization of school facilities and educational cooperation activities.

Church and government agencies are expected to finalize 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 Aug. 3-8, 2027. The event is expected to draw up to 2 million participants from about 190 countries, according to media reports.

* This report is a translated and edited version of a Korean-language article first published the Catholic Times of Korea on June 26, 2027.