Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate, visited a university to secure the youth vote. He aimed to expand his support among the '2030 generation' by listening to the practical difficulties faced by college students and engaging in a question and answer session about policies. While mentioning that he would address housing and meal costs, he referred to the question regarding pension reform being centered on the older generation as 'divisive.'
On the morning of the 26th, the candidate held a meeting with college students at the Yulgok Hall of Ajou University in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. Students from the Defense Digital Convergence Department, Political Science and Diplomacy Department, Cultural Content Department, Industrial Engineering Department, and Electronic Engineering Department attended the meeting. The format of the meeting was such that students would ask questions, and the candidate would respond.
The candidate mentioned the conflict between the older and younger generations, saying, 'We need to gradually correct the unfairness. It's a very challenging task, but it is the direction we must head.' He added, 'Young people should be the most enterprising, yet they are currently the most hopeless. Some members of the younger generation are becoming very conservative, and in certain cases, even though it is a small number, they become extreme.'
In response to a question stating, 'The burden of the pension reform proposal falls on future generations, while the benefits are focused on the older generation,' he replied, 'It's part of a controversy over divisiveness.' Earlier, the National Assembly passed a revision of the National Pension Act that increases the insurance premium rate from the current 9% to 13% and the income replacement rate from 41.5% to 43% in a plenary session. Under the revision, the insurance premium rate will rise by 0.5 percentage points each year starting next year.
The candidate stated, 'We have changed it to pay more and receive more, which is better than the existing system,' adding, 'Given the seriousness of the existing pension system's problems, there's little point in pursuing the ideal. If there's no agreement, it cannot be changed.'
Reflecting on his meeting with college students, he emphasized the need to expand scholarship programs and create an era where students do not have to worry about meal costs while attending college. He also announced plans to extend the '1,000-won meal plan,' currently implemented for breakfast only, to lunch as well.
The candidate noted, 'It is uncertain whether the direction of controlling education costs will be maintained, so we must expand scholarship programs for students,' and added, 'It’s sad that in a nation that is a major economic power, students are worried about meal costs. There is a need to further expand the 1,000-won meal plan that was introduced as a policy.'
He further emphasized, 'The burden of living expenses for students is quite heavy, and the burdens of tuition, housing, and meal costs are too great,' stating, 'In a country like South Korea, students should be able to focus on their studies without worry.'