President Lee Orders Swift Legislation on Lowering Juvenile Age Limit: "Serious, Repeat Offenses for 1-2 Year Reduction"

President Lee Presides Over Cabinet Meeting
Calls for Improvements to the "Foreigners Receiving Pension" System

President Lee Jae-myung has urged a swift conclusion regarding the proposed lowering of the minimum age for juvenile offenders.

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on the 25th. August 25, 2026 [Photo by the Blue House Press Photographers Group] Yonhap News

At the Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on the morning of August 25, President Lee stated, "It seems the issue has been delayed for too long." He added, "The scope is already defined; it is about lowering the age limit by one or two years in cases of serious and repeated crimes."

President Lee went on to say, "I hope we can once more review public opinion on this matter, organize the issue quickly, and proceed with legislation as soon as possible."

He also called for improvements to the so-called 'foreigner retroactive National Pension payment controversy,' in which foreigners pay one month's premium and are allowed to make lump-sum payments for up to 119 months of past stay, eventually leading to lifetime pension benefits.

President Lee remarked, "No system is perfect, so gaps will inevitably emerge. Whenever a loophole is discovered, it is essential to fill it as quickly as possible," and urged, "Please prepare alternatives without delay."

He further stated, "In all policy matters, the true test of capability is how perfectly problems are remedied and alternatives developed. I hope this approach will also be applied as a lesson in other policy areas."

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