Meeting with Dankook University Students at a Cafe
Preparing Policies to Dramatically Increase University Scholarships
Deputy Prime Minister-Level 'Population Department' Established, Immigration Necessity Also Mentioned
"If you answer poorly, that reflects my ability. Feel free to ask questions."
On the 8th, Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, said this during a meeting with Dankook University students at a cafe street in Bojeong-dong, Giheung-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. He said, "I don't know who did it, but since the questionnaire didn't come to me, you can just ask (questions)." This was in response to a Dankook University philosophy student mentioning that they received a pre-questionnaire before the meeting.
The student said, "I understand that collecting questions in advance allows for detailed answers, but the students received a modified questionnaire." He added, "In this situation, I wonder if we can say what we want to say if we receive a pre-questionnaire." In response, Chairman Han said, "Really? You don't need that, just go ahead."
During the meeting, discussions on youth policies continued between Chairman Han and the Dankook University students.
Chairman Han said, "Both the candidate and I agree that we are a generation that should feel sorry for the youth generation," adding, "It's not that things were wrong, but life was easier for the youth in our time." He continued, "During the period of rapid growth, the pie (share) kept getting bigger, and the generation saw an increase in quality jobs," and said, "Looking back, the foolish thing was that we all thought the average annual economic growth rate of about 10% would continue."
He then explained, "Our government is preparing a policy that will dramatically expand the scope of scholarships, which we will probably announce soon," adding, "There may be criticism about putting such a large amount of money into this when some people do not attend university." He emphasized, "However, unlike before, many people attend university and the period of social preparation has lengthened, so I think such a policy can be chosen."
Regarding opinions that university students' housing costs are burdensome, Chairman Han said, "This is an issue that politics must solve," and "It is not only university students but also office workers who suffer together." He added, "We cannot just give money directly, so we have no choice but to provide indirect support," and claimed, "We are preparing various pledges such as interest rate limits on loans."
When asked about his awareness of the population cliff issue, he responded with a pledge to establish a vice-ministerial level 'Population Department' and the necessity of some immigration.
He said, "Creating a Population Department means this is that important and that we will prioritize it," adding, "But ultimately, it comes down to money, and if we can freely invest huge resources, many of these problems can be largely solved."
He also said, "As we become a developed country, people have different thoughts about childbirth compared to our generation, and combined with economic hardships, low birth rates become a global phenomenon," and "In the end, we have no choice but to accept some immigration." He added, "Still, the more important thing is that we need to solve problems like real estate and transportation on our side to raise the domestic population to some extent."
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