Choo Mi-ae: "Granting Three Sabbaticals in a Lifetime to All Citizens... 3.6 Million Won Total Allowance with 1 Million Won Monthly During Rest"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Former Minister of Justice and Democratic Party presidential candidate Chu Mi-ae pledged on the 24th to introduce a 'National Sabbatical System' that grants every citizen three sabbaticals in their lifetime and provides a monthly allowance of 1 million KRW, totaling 36 million KRW per sabbatical year.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On this day, former Minister Chu held a press conference at the National Assembly and said, "We will create a double welfare state by implementing the 'National Sabbatical System and Sanopse (a world where people are valued) Allowance,' a system that guarantees income according to working age groups."

The main point of this pledge is to provide a total of three guaranteed national sabbatical opportunities during the working-age population period (ages 15 to 64), regardless of employment status, and to pay an allowance totaling 36 million KRW per person during the sabbatical period.

The life cycle is divided into the employment start period (ages 15 to 34), career transition period (ages 35 to 49), and retirement preparation period (ages 50 to 64). It is explained that one sabbatical year can be taken during each of these periods.

Former Minister Chu stated, "The Sanopse allowance for realizing the National Sabbatical System will be implemented while maintaining the current job-seeking promotion allowance and earned income tax credit system for low-income groups."

In addition, she said that the child allowance, currently paid up to age 7, will be expanded to at least age 12 and eventually to age 18, with an increase in benefits. She also added that the basic pension for the elderly will be gradually raised.

Furthermore, former Minister Chu emphasized that she will establish a 'Vice Prime Minister for Welfare' to oversee social and welfare policies and convert the current 'Social Security Committee' under the Prime Minister to be directly under the President, so that the President can carefully manage the basic social security plan.