Democratic Party Announces 'Youth Pledges' Including Support for First National Pension Contribution

"Military Service Credit" to Be Extended to Cover Full Service Period
Han Jeongae: "To Help Young People Embrace Dreams and Hope"

The Democratic Party of Korea has announced pledges to offer government support for young people's first National Pension premium payment and to provide youth-tailored housing.

Han Jeong-ae, Policy Chief of the Democratic Party of Korea, is announcing the youth pledge for the June 3 local elections at the National Assembly on May 17, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

On May 17, one day before Coming-of-Age Day, Han Jeong-ae, Policy Chief of the Democratic Party of Korea, unveiled these youth pledges.

First, in order to help young people build assets, the party will introduce a system in which the government supports their first National Pension premium payment. The plan is to strengthen the pension enrollment base for young people by supporting National Pension enrollment when they turn 18 years old.

The current maximum period for the National Pension ‘military service credit,’ which is limited to 12 months, will be extended to cover the entire period of military service. The military service credit is a system in which a portion of the time spent in the military is counted as part of National Pension enrollment.

The party also presented housing expansion pledges. The goal is to increase the supply of ‘proximity housing’—homes close to workplaces and public transportation—by expanding urban public housing complex projects (such as those in station areas and low-rise residential zones) and through mixed-use development of railway depots and public buildings, making it easier for young people to live near where they work.

In addition, the party plans to increase the supply of customized one-person share houses and women’s safe housing, and to create a ‘housing map’ that reflects regional supply and demand conditions.

To ease the burden of job-seeking costs for young people, local governments, local public enterprises, and educational institutions will pay interview allowances to job applicants and cover physical examination costs upon hiring.

Han Jeong-ae stated, “We will ensure that these youth pledges are implemented without setbacks by actively supporting legislative amendments and budget allocations together with the government, so that young people can pursue their dreams and hopes and fulfill their roles as a central generation for Korea.”

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