Lee Nak-yeon Breaks Silence to Launch Full-Scale Presidential Campaign... First Message Focuses on "Youth Jobs and Regulatory Reform"

On the 4th, Visit to Korea Federation of SMEs and KCCI Demanding 'Bold Youth Hiring'
Promise to Boldly Pursue 'Regulatory Reform' for Job Creation

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon concluded his unofficial nationwide tour over the past month to gauge public sentiment and embarked on his first official presidential campaign on the 4th. His first message was 'expanding youth employment.'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On that day, Lee visited the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business and the Korea Employers Federation in succession, meeting with Kim Ki-moon, chairman of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business, and Sohn Kyung-shik, chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, to request generous youth hiring by companies. This move is interpreted as targeting the votes of the 2030 generation, which were lost in the April 7 by-elections.

At the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business, Lee said, "I came today to ask for youth employment," adding, "Although small and medium enterprises are facing management difficulties, I ask that you generously hire many young people even in these tough times." He further stated, "The party and government plan to operate a national-level special vocational training program to supply the talent companies need and will also make large-scale investments in vocational training invested in by companies." Additionally, he emphasized, "We will secure funding for youth vocational training even through supplementary budgets and double the incentives for companies that employ young people."

At the same time, he expressed his intention to boldly pursue unnecessary regulatory reforms for companies.

He explained that to create jobs in companies, it is necessary to promote regulatory innovation tasks desired by the economic sector, starting with the passage of bills requested by the economic community, such as the Framework Act on the Development of Service Industries and the introduction of differentiated voting rights for venture companies. Lee said, "Among regulatory reform bills, we will prioritize those requested by the economic sector," and that detailed measures will be prepared later to expand discussions and consultations within the party.

After the Korea Employers Federation meeting, Lee told reporters, "During the recent period of low profile, I felt a sense of self-reproach that politics has not helped alleviate the pain of (youth) employment," adding, "I thought I should help make it easier to get a job, so I visited the Korea Employers Federation and the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business." He said, "I do not think I can win the hearts of the 20s generation with just one or two things. I will do things that gradually help young people." He also said he would listen to issues beyond 'jobs,' such as housing problems, for the 2030 youth. When asked by reporters about youth housing stability after the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business meeting, he said, "There is a task force (TF) within the party for housing, so if there are opinions, they will be proposed."

Lee is scheduled to attend the launch ceremonies of the 'New Welfare 2030 Gwangju Forum' on the 8th and the 'New Welfare 2030 Busan Forum' on the 9th consecutively. He will also personally participate in the policy symposium of his think tank, 'Solidarity and Coexistence,' held on the 10th. At this event, Lee plans to meticulously address the 'New Welfare' policy, which will become a presidential campaign pledge.

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