President Lee Jae-myung said on the 19th, Youth Day, that the government is considering creating a separate body dedicated to overseeing youth policy.
Speaking at a Youth Day ceremony held at the Guest House of the Blue House, Lee said, "Youth issues are not simply the problems of one particular group or segment of society. They are a fundamental question of whether South Korea can remain a country that continues to grow and develop."
"We have reached a point where, unless you are exceptional, even living an ordinary life is a struggle. This is by no means the fault of individuals," Lee said, pointing to deepening polarization and the restructuring of industry driven by artificial intelligence as causes of the difficulties facing younger generations. He also pointed to a hiring structure centered on experienced workers, saying, "The hardships of the younger generation are mounting faster than the various policies meant to make up for them can keep pace with."
On the reasoning behind the proposed youth policy body, Lee said, "The capabilities of existing policymakers are not enough to get us out of this emergency," adding that "not only the prime minister's office but also the presidential office is weighing this." He continued, "Because it is hard for existing organizations, staff and capabilities to determine what policies would actually be effective and necessary, we are trying to go out and find them in the field."
Lee said, "Organization matters, but the bigger issue is finding capable people to actually carry out those policies," adding, "Unfortunately, those with the greatest authority to decide South Korea's major policies are the most removed from these problems, and in generational terms they are the ones who have lived through the oldest, most outdated era."
He went on, "While thinking about how to close that gap, we have been trying to give opportunities to the younger generation, but that seems to create another problem. When it comes to who will take those posts and positions, you end up weighing careers and experience, and in the end it becomes difficult to find the person. That is another thing we are grappling with."
Lee said, "The government will do its utmost," and called for joint efforts "so that young people are given their rightful share and place."
