September 20 Youth Day Message
President Lee: "The hardships faced by young people are the fault of the older generation... I will create more opportunities"
Youth Week features meetings with young farmers, youth startup roundtables, and a youth talk concert
President Lee: "The entire young generation feels they are a disadvantaged group"
Listening to concerns on jobs, housing, and more, with immediate responses
On September 20, President Lee Jaemyung stated in celebration of Youth Day, "I want to be remembered as a president who restored hope to young people." He emphasized that the difficulties faced by the younger generation ultimately stem from a lack of opportunities, and to address this, it is necessary to broaden their horizons and expand the pie to create hope. The presidential office designated this week as "Youth Week," focusing on listening to the voices of the "2030" youth generation through events such as a meeting with young farmers on the 16th, a youth startup roundtable on the 18th, and a youth communication and empathy concert on the 19th.
President Lee Jae Myung is talking 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
On the 19th, President Lee wrote on Facebook, "Whenever I meet young people, I always prepare with both excitement and a sense of responsibility," adding, "There were times when I was filled with youthful passion, but there were also moments when I bowed my head, feeling that I had failed to leave behind a 'better world.' The youth communication and empathy concert was such a moment for me." He recalled, "Although I lived through a period of severe poverty, there was a belief in the era of rapid growth in Korea that 'a better tomorrow awaits.' There were imbalances and gaps, but there was also hope that opportunities would come if you worked hard."
He diagnosed that the root of the challenges facing young people today lies in the "lack of opportunities." President Lee said, "With low growth, opportunities have diminished, leaving only competition that feels like war, and young people who should love one another are now divided and fighting between men and women. We must broaden the nest and expand the pie to create hope. Even if you fail or are eliminated, you should be able to try again. Only in a country where young people are not driven into extreme competition can both growth and innovation be possible," he emphasized.
President Lee also expressed his wish to meet and listen to young people even more in the future. He said, "If I have one wish, it is to be remembered as the president who opened a hopeful future for young people," adding that he believes it is a challenging but achievable task for Korea to become a country where young people do not give up on their dreams for the future, where they can stand on their own through their own efforts, and where they can help determine the future of the community, inspired by the great achievements of the Korean people.
At the 'Youth Communication and Empathy Talk Concert,' President Lee says, "The hardships faced by the young generation are the fault of the older generation"
President Lee attended the "2030 Youth Communication and Empathy Talk Concert" held in Mapo, Seoul, and stated, "The young generation is facing greater difficulties. It is the fault of the older generation." He pointed out, "If I compare today's young people to when I was young, it is clear that the current generation is in a much tougher situation," and added, "The available jobs do not meet the expectations of young people." He then promised to increase the total number of opportunities to resolve these issues.
President Lee explained that the difference between the older and younger generations comes down to whether the future seems hopeful. He said, "The situation of young people today is the exact opposite of the past. Even if they find a job, there is no stability, and the future does not seem hopeful. As a result, many are giving up on marriage and relationships, which is truly unfortunate." He stressed, "You are not at fault. It is the fault of the older generation," adding, "We should have anticipated this and come up with countermeasures. I bear the greatest responsibility."
Regarding the new administration's youth policies, he said, "It is about creating more opportunities," and cited a survey showing that men and women in their 20s feel discriminated against. President Lee said, "The entire young generation feels like they are the disadvantaged group. There is a shortage of opportunities, so if someone else gets through, I cannot, which leads to young men and women, who should be close, becoming divided and quarreling."
President Lee added, "Even in times when the country was in crisis, we have always overcome with the strength of our people. Not only have we overcome, but we are becoming a nation to be proud of on the world stage. If we create opportunities, reset, and move forward together with new resolve, mutual respect, and understanding, we can open a new future." He also said, "It would be good to have much more dialogue. In the past, we drew fine lines, but now we are building walls, making it difficult to connect. Workers and businesspeople, young people and the older generation, especially young men and women, should engage in more dialogue."
In response to requests to "broaden recruitment opportunities," President Lee says, "I pleaded with the heads of large corporations, and they are listening"
President Lee promised to actively reflect the opinions he heard on site in policy. When a participant requested "broader recruitment opportunities," President Lee replied, "Although it's not ideal, I pleaded and asked the heads of large corporations to hire more young people, and fortunately, they are responding." He then told Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Younghoon, "For hiring to continue, companies must not incur losses. We may need a system that provides tax benefits for companies that take on training and education, so they do not suffer losses."
He also responded proactively to a young person's request to expand jobs related to renewable energy. President Lee began by saying that society must rapidly transition to renewable energy, stating, "There are enormous opportunities, including jobs, in this area, but there is also attack and agitation. Some exaggerate the minor pains needed for a better situation for political gain." He then asked, "What do you think would happen if we pushed ahead with energy transition policies?"
In response to requests to increase benefits for families with multiple children, newlyweds, and young people in regional areas, President Lee suggested that providing direct cash support or local currency might be better. He also expressed strong support for the opinion that public housing should focus more on rentals than sales. President Lee asked attendees to raise their hands for the option they preferred, and when more supported rentals, he said, "It seems a policy shift is possible. Previously, rentals were dismissed as populism, but it seems time for a change." There was also a request for the presidential office to create a youth internship program. President Lee instructed Policy Chief Kim Yongbeom, "We encourage ministries, public institutions, and companies to do this, but the presidential office itself has not. Please actively review this within the possible scope."
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