President Lee Considers Dedicated Youth Policy Organization... "We Will Seek Solutions on the Ground"

First Attendance at ‘Youth Day’ Ceremony Since Taking Office
"Youth Issues Are Fundamental to Korea’s Sustainable Growth"
Emphasizing Structural Support in Education, Asset Building, Housing, and Employment
"Empowering Youth Is an Industria

President Lee Jae-myung announced on the 19th that he is considering establishing a separate organization dedicated to addressing youth issues. He explained that difficulties such as youth unemployment, asset disparity, and housing instability cannot be resolved solely through individual support measures, and he intends to revamp the overall framework of youth policy. He also stated his intentions to reflect the voices of young people and those on the ground more directly in the policy-making process.

President Lee Jae-myung is delivering a commemorative speech at the Youth Day ceremony held at the Blue House on the 19th. September 19, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

At the 2026 Youth Day ceremony held at the State Guest House of the Blue House on the afternoon of September 19, President Lee said, “Youth issues are not simply problems facing a certain group or category; they are fundamental to determining whether the Republic of Korea can remain a nation of continuous growth and development,” adding, “I am considering whether we need to establish a separate organization to oversee and coordinate youth policy.” This was President Lee’s first attendance at the Youth Day ceremony since taking office.

President Lee diagnosed the realities currently faced by the young generation as structural problems that cannot be overcome by personal effort alone. He stated, “This is the generation that studied the longest, yet must wait the longest for employment. This is the generation that prepared the best, yet possesses the least. Even though they compete the most fiercely, their future is the most uncertain.” He added, “It has come to a point where, unless you are exceptional, even living an ordinary life is difficult.”

He identified deepening polarization and the industrial restructuring brought by artificial intelligence (AI) as the root causes of youth challenges. In the past, there were enough opportunities to try again after failure, but as industries and employment structures have changed, the “total amount of opportunity” available to young people has decreased. He especially pointed out changes in companies’ recruitment practices. President Lee remarked, “Unlike in the past, when companies hired new employees, provided work training, and then made them official staff members, nowadays companies prefer to hire experienced workers who can be put to work immediately.” He further criticized, “There are hardly any opportunities for young people to gain that needed experience in the first place.”

In response, he announced that youth policy will be prepared in a comprehensive way that covers the entire life cycle of young people—from fostering practical capabilities needed in industrial settings through education and vocational training, to supporting initial asset formation, housing, and easing the burden of marriage, childbirth, and childrearing. With regard to the current education system, President Lee said that it “remains at the level of educating people to act systematically and memorize a lot, in line with the era of mass production,” and argued that the nation should cultivate the competencies needed for the advanced industrial era.

He also stressed that youth policy cannot be considered separately from industrial policy. President Lee said, “Building the capabilities of the young generation is the same as building the capabilities of our entire society,” and emphasized that nurturing talent for advanced future industries is “a fundamental industrial policy in itself.” Regarding fiscal conditions, he noted that as the recent economic situation has improved somewhat, there is now more room to implement policy. The government has so far been reviewing the “Youth New Deal” to respond to changes in future industries, “Job Recovery Plans” to alleviate youth employment shocks, and working to establish a “Future Response Fund” to support youth policy across the life cycle.

He also signaled a change in how policies are created. President Lee sees clear limitations in grasping the reality faced by young people with only the current policy decision-making organizations. He stated, “Senior policy-makers have the greatest authority, but they are often the farthest from the problems and the field. We should try finding answers directly from those on the ground.” He continued, “The world as seen by people in their 50s or 60s is different from that seen by people in their 30s,” underscoring the need to expand opportunities for younger generations to participate in policymaking.

The event was attended by approximately 150 people, including youth organizations, government youth advisors, members of the Youth Policy Coordination Committee, and individuals recognized for their contributions to youth policy. The first part of the event honored those who contributed to youth policy, while the second part, themed “From the Youth,” was held in an “open mic” format. President Lee told the young participants, “I hope among your stories there will be many good ideas that will bring new hope for the younger generation, and let us work together so that you will have your rightful share and place in our society.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.