2030 Youth Communication and Empathy Talk Concert
President Lee: "I believe all youth are a disadvantaged group"
On the 19th, attendees raised their hands to speak at the communication and empathy talk concert between President Lee Jae-myung and Millennials & Gen Z held at the Gureumarae Small Theater in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
On the 19th, President Lee Jae-myung stated, "The younger generation is facing greater difficulties," adding, "It is the fault of the older generations." President Lee promised to increase the overall amount of opportunities to address these issues.
President Lee attended the '2030 Youth Communication and Empathy Talk Concert' held in Seoul on this day and remarked, "If you compare today's youth with my own youth, it is clear that the current generation is facing much tougher circumstances," pointing out that "the jobs available do not meet the expectations of young people."
President Lee explained that the difference between the older and younger generations hinges on "whether the future appears hopeful." He said, "When we were growing up, Korea was experiencing a period of rapid growth," and added, "Even if things were tough at the moment, we truly believed that today would be different from yesterday, and that the day after tomorrow would be better than today."
President Lee continued, "Now, the situation is completely the opposite," analyzing, "Even if you find a job, there is no stability. The future does not seem hopeful. As a result, many have given up on marriage and even dating, which is truly unfortunate."
He emphasized, "You are not at fault at all. The blame lies with the older generations," and added, "We should have anticipated these issues and prepared countermeasures. I bear the greatest responsibility for this."
Lee: "I believe all youth are a disadvantaged group; there is a shortage of opportunities"
President Lee Jae-myung is conversing with attendees at the 2030 Youth Communication and Empathy Talk Concert held on the 19th at the Gureumarae Small Theater in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
Regarding the new administration's youth policies, President Lee said, "It is about creating more opportunities," and referenced a statistical survey in which men and women in their twenties felt they were discriminated against by one another.
President Lee stated, "The entire youth generation considers itself a disadvantaged group," and explained, "There is a shortage of opportunities. Because if someone else succeeds, I cannot; young men and women, who should be close, end up forming opposing sides and fighting."
President Lee continued, "Even when the country was in ruins, we overcame it through the strength of our people. Not only did we overcome, but we have become a nation to be proud of on the world stage," and added, "If we create opportunities, reset, and move forward with renewed determination-respecting, understanding, and uniting with each other-we can open up a new future together."
He also emphasized, "I hope we can have much more dialogue," and added, "In the past, we would draw a fine line, but now, not only do we draw solid lines, we even build walls, making communication difficult. Workers and businesspeople, young people and older generations, and especially young men and young women, should engage in more dialogue."
At the event, 150 Millennials & Gen Z participants were selected at random from among 1,185 online applicants, taking into account age, gender, and region.
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