A youth independent media outlet, Tokipul, which only allows youth under 17 to apply for newspaper positions, is pushing back against South Korean laws that bar minors from being publishers or editors. The legislation in question, under the Press and Magazine Promotion Laws, identifies minors as unqualified to hold these positions. Tokipul, operating in Seoul's Eunpyeong-gu, focuses on reporting youth rights issues and has been publishing both articles and a monthly tabloid newspaper. The founder and editor-in-chief, Moon Seong-ho, argues that the exclusion of minors from these essential roles contradicts the freedoms provided by the constitution, emphasizing that youth must have the opportunity to voice their concerns and create media that represents their experiences.

During a recent press conference at the Constitutional Court in Seoul, Moon and his fellow youth activists called for a constitutional review of the laws that prevent them from formally establishing their media presence. Moon stated that the guarantees of freedom of press and publication in the constitution should be accessible to all, regardless of age, and criticized the absence of media representation in discussions centered around youth issues. He pointed out the hypocrisy in a democratic society that denies a platform for young people to express their concerns and challenges.

The financial implications for Tokipul are significant due to its status as an unregistered media outlet. Unlike registered media that benefits from postal rate discounts, Tokipul incurs extra costs, amounting to substantial monthly expenses for sending out physical newspapers to its subscribers. This situation underscores the barriers that youth-led media faces in South Korea due to restrictive laws, increasing calls for reform to support youth participation in journalists and the media landscape more broadly.