Criticism Marking Youth Day
On September 20, designated as "Youth Day," Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon criticized the Lee Jaemyung administration, stating, "This administration leaves only debt to young people while taking away all their opportunities."
In a post titled "Seoul Will Become a Special City for Youth Growth" uploaded to his social networking service (SNS) Facebook account that day, Mayor Oh said, "Many more young people than expected responded passionately to the phrase, 'Seoul is blocking the wave of government debt increases,'” and explained his criticism. This phrase was featured on a banner recently hung on the exterior wall of the Seoul Metropolitan Library.
He pointed out, "Due to the Lee Jaemyung administration’s reckless cash handouts, deficit-incurring debt is soaring, and next year, the national debt will exceed 1,400 trillion won. The interest payments on the national debt alone amount to more than 34 trillion won." He continued, "Even though the entire country is struggling under the weight of debt, the government is obsessed with distributing cash to everyone, even twisting the arms of local governments. In contrast, Seoul has reduced its debt by 596.2 billion won over the past four years."
Mayor Oh stated, "The reason the large banner resonated so deeply is that young people, who will ultimately have to repay this astronomical debt, truly empathized with it," and added, "What is even more serious is that the government is also taking away future opportunities from young people, one by one."
On the 17th, at the Han River Bus Terminal in Yeouido, Seoul, Mayor Oh Sehoon delivered a greeting at the inauguration ceremony of the Han River Bus. The Han River Bus is a new transportation option provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, operating between seven terminals: Magok, Mangwon, Yeouido, Oksu, Apgujeong, Ttukseom, and Jamsil, covering a distance of 28.9 km. The fare is 3,000 won per ride, and passengers using the Climate Companion Card can ride without any limit on the number of trips and also receive public transportation transfer discounts. 2025.09.17 Photo by Yoon Dongju
He went on to say, "With the third stage of the Debt Service Ratio (DSR) regulation, young people are being pushed out of the formal financial sector, and the Yellow Envelope Act is blocking job creation. Even the housing policies are tightening restrictions on newlywed couples' jeonse loans. This administration leaves only debt to young people while taking away all their opportunities."
Mayor Oh emphasized, "The philosophy of Seoul’s youth policy is clear: to open up opportunities so that young people can fully demonstrate their abilities and grow. We will pass on assets, not burdens, to future generations. Through sound fiscal management, we will invest in housing, jobs, and education to give hope to the next generation."
He also said, "Seoul will create not waves of debt and despair, but waves of opportunity and growth," and added, "We will transform Seoul into a 'Special City for Youth Growth,' where young people can freely pursue their dreams."
On this day, Mayor Oh visited the "Seoul Youth Week Pop-up Store" and "AP AGAIN" in Seongsu, Seoul, to meet with young people. The Youth Week Pop-up Store is a space where visitors can experience Seoul’s youth programs and support policies. At AP AGAIN, a ceremony was held to commemorate Youth Day. During the ceremony, Mayor Oh listened to the stories of three individuals who experienced changes in their lives after participating in Seoul’s youth policies, and presented the "Seoul Youth Award" to eight young people or teams who contributed to the activation of youth policies and the development of the local community.
Mayor Oh stated, "Seoul will thoroughly support young people so that when they become middle-aged and older adults, they feel less burdened-in education, culture, the arts, life planning, and economic freedom."
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