Ahn Cheol-soo: "Regarding the In-guk-gong Incident, What Young People Want Is Equality of Opportunity"

"Sorry as the older generation... We will take the lead in solving youth issues"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, said on the 29th regarding the controversy over the conversion of security screening personnel at Incheon International Airport Corporation (In-gukgong) to regular positions, “Many young people are despairing when they hear words like fairness and justice these days,” and added, “As a member of the older generation that created the current society, I want to sincerely apologize to the youth.”

On the same day, Ahn met with young job seekers at the National Assembly in the afternoon and said, “I will take the lead in resolving youth issues,” and added, “I am thinking of forming a special committee not only for this meeting but also to implement the justice, fairness, and equity that young people demand in reality.”

After the meeting, Ahn told reporters, “Ultimately, what young people want is not equality of outcome but equality of opportunity,” and pointed out, “They want opportunities and processes to be fair, and they are very angry when that is not the case.”

Ahn said, “They said they would have been angry even if there were no photos from the In-gukgong group chat,” and added, “The various excuses from the government and ruling party are only fueling their anger.”

Ahn also said, “More fundamentally, there are simply too few good jobs available for young people to get,” and added, “While the country should take long-term measures, the government must accurately understand what the youth are angry about in the short term and establish countermeasures.”

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