Lee Jae Myung's Think Tank 'Growth and Integration'... No Sign of Child, Women, or Youth Policies

No Committees Dedicated to Gender Issues Among 34 Subcommittees
Focus Placed on 'Growth' Over Sensitive Issues

It has been confirmed that the think tank 'Growth and Integration', led by former Democratic Party leader and presidential candidate Lee Jae Myung, does not have a separate division dedicated to child, women, or youth policies. This has led to analysis suggesting that policy development for children and women may be taking a backseat within the think tank of a leading presidential candidate, which is expected to shape the next administration's core policies.

According to an Asia Economy report on April 24, 'Growth and Integration' consists of approximately 500 experts from various fields and a total of 34 subcommittees, but does not place particular emphasis on child, women, or youth policies. While it was initially expected that relevant policies would be comprehensively developed within the Welfare Policy Committee and the Committee for Basic Rights Across the Life Cycle, these bodies are reportedly focused mainly on the basic income policy that Lee has put on hold.

On the 16th, at the inauguration ceremony of the Democratic Party's former leader Lee Jae Myung's think tank 'Growth and Integration' held at the National Assembly Library Auditorium in Yeouido, Seoul, Yoo Jong Il and Heo Min, co-chairmen, saluted the national flag. In the front row from the left are Democratic Party lawmakers Chung Dong Young, Yoo Jong Il and Heo Min, and Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Hyun Hee. Photo by Yonhap News

It is explained that these two committees were established to maintain a minimum level of basic income policy, even as Lee shifts his focus to practical, growth-oriented policy development ahead of the presidential election. A key official from Growth and Integration stated, "The two committees within the organization (the Welfare Policy Committee and the Committee for Basic Rights Across the Life Cycle) are focused on growth, but are also reviewing related policies without completely excluding basic income. However, it is coincidental that policies related to women, youth, and children are not being addressed."

'Growth and Integration', which was launched on April 16, is in fact an organization with a strong emphasis on growth. It has set its goals as achieving a 3% potential growth rate, becoming one of the world's top four export powers, and reaching a per capita national income of $50,000 by 2030. It is considered unusual for a presidential think tank, which presents itself as a nationwide group of policy experts, not to directly address women (gender) and youth policies, which have emerged as major social issues. Some interpret this as a strategy to minimize controversy by avoiding detailed debates on sensitive social issues.

During the 22nd general election, the Democratic Party prepared to introduce a 'non-consensual rape law' as a campaign pledge, but withdrew the policy after facing criticism, citing it as a 'practical mistake.' Bae Jin Kyung, head of the Korean Women Workers Association, commented, "By focusing on economic growth policies, the think tank may be lacking in its perspective on issues such as gender equality."

Of course, this does not mean that Lee is excluding women, youth, or child policies from his presidential pledges. It is known that related policies are currently being refined within the Lee Jae Myung campaign. Kang Yoo Jung, a lawmaker serving as spokesperson for the Lee Jae Myung camp, responded to a question about not explicitly mentioning women's policies?such as the non-consensual rape law?compared to other primary candidates, by saying, "With regard to the non-consensual rape law, we are considering it within the context of youth issues and social safety. In the primary campaign, we have not yet approached women's policies as specific individual bills."

A Democratic Party Policy Committee official, who requested anonymity, explained, "Democratic Party members of the National Assembly's Gender Equality and Family Committee, as well as members of each standing committee, are currently preparing related policies, and are reviewing how to include them in future campaign pledges."