Ministry of Health and Welfare Partially Accepts Human Rights Commission's Recommendation to Recognize Separate Households for Young Adults in Their 20s

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The National Human Rights Commission announced on the 1st that the Ministry of Health and Welfare has partially accepted its recommendation to improve the National Basic Livelihood Security System to guarantee people in their 20s as separate households.

Last December, the Human Rights Commission judged that, to alleviate poverty and enhance social security rights for people in their 20s, it is necessary in principle to recognize unmarried children in their 20s who live separately from their parents as separate households, and recommended this measure.

In response, the Ministry of Health and Welfare replied that it is difficult to recognize all people in their 20s as separate households from their parents due to reasons such as the subsidiarity of the National Basic Livelihood Security System, which prioritizes protection under other laws; the possibility that young people who receive sufficient parental support might also become beneficiaries; the potential reduction in social work experience and employment incentives for people in their 20s; and the significant financial burden involved.

However, the Ministry stated that it would consider expanding the scope of separate household guarantees starting with vulnerable people in their 20s, such as those who themselves or whose parents have severe disabilities, or whose parents belong to the near-poverty class, and also consider introducing the 'Youth Housing Benefit Separate Payment Model,' which will be implemented from this year, into livelihood benefits.

The Human Rights Commission said, "It is regrettable that the principle of regarding people in their 20s as part of the same household as their parents cannot be changed, but it is positive that the Ministry of Health and Welfare has stated it will consider expanding the scope of separate household guarantees starting with those in urgent need of protection," judging that the Ministry has partially accepted the Commission's recommendation.

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