[2030 Youth Poverty③] Selective or Universal... Avoid Stigmatizing Basic Livelihood Security Recipients

Four Experts in Social Welfare Urgently Diagnose
Separate Services for Able and Unable Workers
Education Support More Important Than Cash or Goods

[Asia Economy Reporters Byungseon Gong, Sehee Jang, Gyumin Oh] Experts urge that measures must be taken before youth poverty leads to long-term and structural poverty. They emphasize the need to reduce issues such as the decrease in livelihood income when earned income occurs.

Youth as Potential Beings... Providing Services by Separating Able and Unable Workers

Hyunsoo Choi, Director of the Social Security Finance Policy Research Office at the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, said, "Various policies should be established so that young people can move toward better jobs," adding, "There should be no cases where young people working part-time for minimum wage are unable to receive livelihood and housing benefits." Professor Ikjung Jung of Ewha Womans University’s Department of Social Welfare stated, "The reason society focuses on youth is because they are beings with potential."

Opinions diverged on methodology. Some emphasized selective support, while others argued that universal support is necessary to prevent youth poverty. Professor Jaehun Jung of Seoul Women’s University’s Department of Social Welfare said, "South Korea’s National Basic Livelihood Security Act includes both able and unable workers, so the linkage with employment support and vocational training is weak," adding, "It is effective to separate able and unable workers and provide services accordingly." On the other hand, Professor Ikjung Jung explained, "Although it will immediately lead to financial burdens, comprehensive support should be provided even to young people who can stand up with just a little help," adding, "If they are left unattended, the social costs the country will have to bear in the future will increase exponentially." Director Choi also said, "Policies supporting even small parts such as housing costs and living expenses can actually be important for young people."

Education Support More Important than Cash or Goods... Need for Fundamental Solutions

Support through education is also necessary rather than cash or goods. Professor Yuntae Kim of Korea University’s Department of Sociology at the Graduate School of Public Policy explained, "The policy direction should focus on job education rather than spending the benefit amount to prevent falling into permanent poverty," adding, "Unlike the elderly, young people have working ability." Professor Jaehun Jung also said, "Infrastructure such as employment training is needed rather than simple support," adding, "Cash support cannot be a fundamental solution because of issues like eligibility criteria."

Above all, a social atmosphere that does not stigmatize young basic livelihood security recipients must be formed. Professor Ikjung Jung said, "Northern European countries support youth under the name of ‘allowance’ rather than basic livelihood security, reducing the reluctance to receive support," adding, "A society that accepts that young people can naturally receive support from the state, rather than stigmatizing them as lazy for receiving support despite being young, must come first for them to come out into society and actively participate."

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