Young Members of People Power Party Demand "Answer to Youth's Cries"…Direct Hit to Lee's Administration

Young members of the People Power Party have stepped forward to criticize the Lee Jae-myung administration's housing, employment, fiscal, and financial policies ahead of 'Youth Day,' demanding a comprehensive review of youth policies.

The People Power Party's Central Youth Committee, the Central Party's University Student Committee, and the Youth Local Council Members issued a joint statement on the 18th titled "The Lee Jae-myung Administration That Abandoned Youth, Answer to Youth's Cries," and made six demands to the Lee administration, stating, "Ahead of a day meant to support youth's dreams and challenges, we stand here not with celebration but with anger and demands."

First, they took issue with the government's real estate loan regulations. Regarding the government's limitation of housing mortgage loan limits for property purchases in the Seoul metropolitan area and regulated zones to a maximum of 600 million won through the June 27 household debt measures last year, they argued, "The path to homeownership for youth and ordinary people who have no choice but to rely on loans has been blocked."

Under the June 27 measures, the maximum housing mortgage loan limit in the Seoul metropolitan area and regulated zones was newly set at 600 million won, and through subsequent additional measures, the limit for high-priced properties was lowered to 400 million won or 200 million won.

They urged, "Immediately reconsider the uniform loan regulations that squeeze youth and ordinary homebuyers, and present effective homeownership measures."

Regarding the government's marriage and childbirth support measures, they argued that job creation measures should take priority.

The government is pursuing a restructuring of marriage, childbirth, and childcare support systems in its 2027 budget plan, including providing 1 million won to couples who register their marriage and supporting first-born households with a base amount of 10 million won.

They stated, "What youth who cannot even cross the employment threshold need is not a few dollars but a place to stand," and demanded, "Present fundamental measures to create quality jobs rather than cash support."

Indeed, poor youth employment continues in recent statistics. According to the National Data Processing Center, the employment rate for youth aged 15-29 in August fell 1.0 percentage points year-over-year to 44.1%, and the youth unemployment rate rose 0.5 percentage points to 5.4%. The number of employed people in their 20s decreased by 164,000 compared to a year ago.

Personnel and election administration issues were also raised. They referenced the controversy over personnel decisions centered on "Seongnam and Gyeonggi connections" and the shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections, demanding, "Immediately halt unprincipled personnel appointments and pardons, and take clear responsibility for election administration failures."

Regarding the government's long-term arrears adjustment policy, they demanded, "Develop measures to eliminate reverse discrimination against youth making sincere payments."

They also called for consistency in youth asset-building policies. They stated, "Stop changing only the names of policies with each change in administration, and establish consistent and predictable youth financial systems."

They made six demands: ▲Reconsider loan regulations for youth and ordinary homebuyers ▲Halt cash-based and favoritism-driven budgets and implement structural transformation of youth support ▲Develop quality job creation measures ▲Clarify responsibility for personnel and election administration ▲Eliminate reverse discrimination against sincere payment holders ▲Establish consistent youth asset-building systems.

They added, "Youth are no longer bystanders in politics," and expressed, "We will continue to question and demand answers regarding the government's misrule that mortgages youth's future."