Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, met with youth directly on the 19th and noted, “The day youth lose their dreams is the scariest,” adding, “I will provide a ladder of opportunity so that any youth can freely pursue their dreams, regardless of their starting line.” He promised the establishment of a fair hiring law to establish a fair hiring order, a reorganization of the wage system that compensates working individuals effectively, and support for housing costs for married youth for up to nine years through the 'Youth Marriage 3·3·3 Dwellings.'
On the 19th, Kim announced youth policy pledges focused on restoring the ladder of opportunity and resolving structural disparities at the 53rd Adult Day ceremony in Cheonggye Plaza, Seoul.
◇ Creating good jobs by eliminating corporate regulations… restructuring the wage system
He emphasized the importance of job issues among youth policies as the top priority. Kim stated, “The core of youth issues is jobs,” and pledged, “I will regard this issue as the most important national task and resolve it.”
The job pledge proposed by Kim focuses on significantly abolishing corporate regulations to create good jobs and restructuring the wage system. In particular, he plans to introduce a merit-based wage system instead of the current seniority-based one, creating an environment where 'a high-performing employee can earn more than a Director General.' Kim remarked, “I will restructure the wage system to ensure that individuals are compensated for what they do.” Additionally, he promised to enhance flexible working arrangements to guarantee youth's time sovereignty and provide various benefits such as rental vouchers for city center housing and expanded stock options for young employees in small and medium-sized enterprises.
Kim also pointed out the reality that over 500,000 youth are not actively job-seeking, sharing his experience in personalized youth support during his time as Minister of Employment and Labor. He stated his intent to strengthen the social safety net so that youth do not get discouraged and can challenge themselves again. To this end, he announced plans to expand youth future centers for isolated youth, family caregivers, and youth preparing for independence while also enhancing mental health counseling support.
◇ Establishing a fair hiring law to protect job seekers' rights and create a fair hiring culture
Kim presented plans for structural solutions to youth issues. He first stated, “I will root out unfair hiring practices that make youth cry,” pledging to completely revise the current 'Hiring Procedures Act' and establish a fair hiring law. Through this, he aims to create a hiring culture that protects the rights of job seekers by publicly disclosing criteria and procedures at each hiring stage, strengthening penalties for bribery and corrupt practices, and introducing a right to request notification of reasons for rejection.
Additionally, he indicated plans to revive the military service credit system so that military service experience can be utilized in entering society, and to establish the 'Women’s Hope Military Service' to allow women to choose professional military paths. He also mentioned plans to introduce the 'Job Certificate' issuance and 'Career Certification System' to ensure that the skills gained during military service are recognized in the private sector. He noted that corporations recognizing military service experience would be offered tax and hiring incentives.
Moreover, he included practical policies like the introduction of the K-Wonpass public transport card, the creation of half-price rent zones, expansion of the 1,000 won breakfast program, and phased expansion of scholarships for housing stability for university students.
Kim announced that he would also introduce the 'Social Mobility Value-Up Index.' This index will measure how factors such as youth's region and education level impact their entry into the labor market and be used in policy formulation.
◇ Priority supply of more than 10% of public dwellings to single-person households… introduction of '3·3·3 Dwellings'
He proposed measures to alleviate housing costs for youth. He announced plans to prioritize more than 10% of public dwellings for single-person youth households, and to introduce 'half-price share houses' with rental prices set at half of the surrounding market rate. He also plans to support the rent and deposit for young single-person households and significantly raise the tax credit rate for monthly rent for youth and newlyweds. Additionally, he promised to enhance transparency in management costs by disclosing collection and usage details while effectively strengthening the supervisory powers of local government leaders.
He particularly emphasized the introduction of the so-called 'Youth Marriage 3·3·3 Dwellings' to encourage young people hesitant to marry due to housing costs. This plan will support housing costs for a total of nine years—three years after marriage, three years for the first child, and three years for the second child—with an annual goal of supplying 100,000 units. Alongside this, he promised to increase public wedding venues and simultaneously introduce standard contracts to resolve the 'hidden costs of studio, dress, and makeup' issues.
Kim stated, “I will become a strong companion for youth,” adding, “I will do my utmost to support you so that you can dream of and leap into the future.”