Will Homegrown Youth Return... Kim Ki-hyun "Considering Support for Communication and Transportation Costs"

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, announced on the 3rd that he will identify the current situation regarding communication fees and transportation costs for young people and propose improvement measures. This move aims to win back the hearts of the youth by continuously announcing policies for them, as both President Yoon Suk-yeol's approval rating and the party's support rate have been unable to escape a downward trend.

After the Supreme Council meeting on the same day, Kim said to reporters, "I asked to look into the matter from the perspective that a reasonable improvement of the youth communication fee system is necessary," adding, "I also asked to check the actual situation regarding the articles about transportation costs."

A representative from the party leader’s office explained, "The party leader’s schedule has not been finalized yet," but added, "It is currently at the stage where the staff members are meeting to review the situation."

Kim has recently been continuing his livelihood-focused activities communicating with the so-called MZ generation. On the 28th of last month, he visited Kyung Hee University’s student cafeteria and promised to expand government support while having a '1000 won breakfast meal' together.

His actions since taking office are interpreted as efforts to reverse the rapidly declining youth support rate, as support among people in their 20s for the People Power Party continues to decline.

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is talking with Cho Su-jin, Supreme Council member, at the plenary session held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 30th of last month. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

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According to a survey conducted by Realmeter commissioned by Media Tribune from the 27th to the 31st of last month targeting 2,512 voters aged 18 and over nationwide, support for the People Power Party among those in their 20s dropped by 2.8 percentage points to 30.4%. In contrast, the Democratic Party of Korea’s support rate in the same age group soared by 7.2 percentage points to 47.2%. The margin of error for this survey is ±2.0 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. The survey was conducted with 97% wireless and 3% wired methods, and the response rate was 3.2%. For more details, refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.

The communication and transportation costs to be discussed this time are also part of youth measures. It is reported that Kim plans to visit communication companies in person this week and is reviewing ways to increase the data provision for young people. Regarding transportation costs, plans to apply measures as soon as the review is completed are also underway. For example, Seoul City reimburses up to 100,000 won annually for transportation costs to young people aged 19 to 21.

The first meeting of the 'MinSaeng119' special committee, the first special committee launched by Kim, will also be held on the same day. The meeting will cover various issues including communication fees, transportation costs, as well as electricity and water bills. At this special committee meeting chaired by Supreme Council member Jo Su-jin, convenience store lunch boxes frequently eaten by young people will be served for lunch. Kim emphasized, "We will devote all party efforts for livelihood and the future."

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