International youth center opens

An international youth center was set up in Banghwa-dong, Kangseo-gu on Wednesday to encourage cultural exchanges in the domestic and international level.

The center was built with 16.4 billion won provided by the National Council of Youth Organizations in Korea, which consists of 60 youth organizations such as the Boy Scouts of Korea.

The building, five stories high with two basement levels, lies on the 1508-pyong (1 pyong equals 3.3 square meters) property of the NCYOK. It is five minutes¡¯ walk from Banghwa subway station on the No. 5 line.

The center provides accommodations for youth travelers coming through the new Inchon International Airport, set to open in April, and the existing Kimpo Airport. International conferences and various cultural activities are to be held there, as well.

Teenagers are free to use the facilities, which include club activity rooms, music rooms, game rooms, outdoor playground, and multipurpose assembly halls. Residents of the area can apply for a monthly 40,000 to 50,000 won membership to use the gym facilities such as the 25-meter, six-lane indoor swimming pool, fitness center, and aerobics room. English conversation and computer classes, swimming lessons and other cultural programs are open to the public for a small fee. Call 02-2667-0310 for more information.