Ruling and Opposition Both Sympathize with '1000 Won School Meal'... Clash Over 'Hakjageum'

Agreement Between Ruling and Opposition Leaders on Expanding 1000 Won School Meals
Conflict Over Tuition Fees... Opposition "Reduce Interest Burden"
Ruling Party "Populism... Can the Country Endure?"

The ruling and opposition parties are united in their call to expand the "1000-won school meal" program targeting the 'MZ Generation,' referring to young people in their 20s and 30s. However, their positions diverged regarding support for university tuition and other registration fees.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 31st, "It is fortunate that the government has decided to increase the budget for the 1000-won school meal program. I also commend them," adding, "Although this restores the budget level originally proposed by our Democratic Party, a good deed is a good deed."

The 1000-won school meal program is a project where students and the government each pay 1000 won, and the school covers the difference. Earlier, Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, visited Kyung Hee University with party leadership on the 28th, ate the 1000-won school meal with the student council, and pledged to demand expanded government support. The ruling party plans to increase the budget for the 1000-won school meal program from 728 million won to 1.577 billion won. The number of participating universities will also expand from 41 to 66.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 31st. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Kim Min-seok, chairman of the Democratic Party's Policy Committee, raised his voice for further expanding the school meal support budget. At a press briefing at the National Assembly on the 29th, he said, "Including vocational colleges, there are about 200 to 350 universities, but currently this project supports only about 40. This level does not cover most schools," and suggested, "If the central government expands the budget and local governments increase their contributions, universities facing financial difficulties will find it much easier to participate, allowing the program to expand nationwide."

Kim Ki-hyun of the People Power Party also welcomed the Democratic Party's response. After attending the '2030 Busan World Expo Bid Joint Meeting' in Busan that day, he told reporters, "I appreciate that the opposition party has for once agreed with what the ruling party proposes," adding, "I hope the Democratic Party will now move away from the discord that has continued despite calls for cooperation for the people's livelihood."

Student Loan Interest Waiver: "Biggest Burden for Youth" vs. "Populism"

However, the ruling and opposition parties showed opposing views on another key youth policy issue, 'student loans.' At the Supreme Council meeting that day, Lee said, "This (1000-won school meal) alone is not enough. Efforts should also be made to reduce the burden of student loan interest, which accounts for the largest part of young people's living expenses," and added, "We should promote a plan to waive interest until students can repay their loans after employment."

The Democratic Party plans to promptly pass the 'Special Act on Student Loan Repayment after Employment' containing these provisions. This bill, originally proposed by Policy Committee Chairman Kim in 2021, aims to waive interest on student loans, which is about 1.7%, before employment or when the debtor's income, such as during unemployment, does not exceed the 'repayment income threshold.' The Democratic Party forcibly passed this bill at the Education Committee's subcommittee on the 22nd of last month, but following a request from the People Power Party, the bill is currently referred to the agenda adjustment committee after the full Education Committee meeting.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The ruling party opposes this bill, calling it 'populism.' After a party strategy meeting at the National Assembly that day, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, told reporters, "I think Lee and the Democratic Party consistently disregard national fiscal issues and persist with populism," adding, "We also want to help those struggling with student loans. However, the state has fiscal priorities, so unfortunately, we cannot accommodate everything. If we start giving away money without limits, there is no end. There is no debt management plan, only giveaways, so can the country endure?"

Kim Ki-hyun, who strongly expressed his commitment to solving youth issues such as the 1000-won school meal program, did not give a clear answer regarding the 'tuition' issue. When asked during his visit to Kyung Hee University whether the party has a position on the Ministry of Education's suggestion to ease university tuition fees, he replied, "I have not been briefed on the university tuition issue, so I will look into what it entails."