Lee Jae-myung: "They say 'Youth is painful,' but young people are suffering too much... Reflecting on it"

"I am Essentially a Kkondae... A Kkondae Who Doesn't Seem Like a Kkondae"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is answering questions from young people during a dialogue titled "Youth Ask, Lee Jae-myung Answers" held on the afternoon of the 12th at the Ulsan City Council auditorium in Nam-gu, Ulsan. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "It seems our young people are suffering too much. Honestly, I have been reflecting a lot recently. I think, 'I should have at least listened to them.'"

On the afternoon of the 12th, Lee met with young people at the Ulsan City Council's main conference room and said, "They say youth hardship is something you willingly endure, and 'Youth is painful,' but it seems our young people are suffering too much."

He added, "By nature, I can't help but be a kkon-dae (an older person with a rigid mindset). I live in a different world," and described himself as a "kkon-dae who doesn't seem like a kkon-dae." He also joked, "Those of you asking me this will soon be asked, 'Are you a kkon-dae?'"

During the Q&A session, Lee emphasized youth policies, gender equality, and local decentralization. He said, "Looking at the entire life cycle of men and women, it is true that women suffer too much. Their wages are only about 60% of men's, promotions are difficult, and when they take career breaks to raise children and care for them, returning to work is hard. It is necessary to compensate for this and balance equality. That is what feminism does," he explained.

Regarding local decentralization, he said, "The concentration in the metropolitan area is already creating inefficiencies," and added, "Like a scene from 'Squid Game,' where someone has to die for me to live, you are being pushed into such a situation. If this deepens, what will happen later? The country will collapse."

He emphasized, "Balanced regional development is the way forward," and added, "The relocation of public institutions must be done swiftly," expressing confidence by saying, "Speed increases satisfaction. I am an expert in speed."

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