President Lee Jae-myung called for changes to a government program that covers the first national pension premium for young people aged 18 to 26, saying that limiting the benefit to those who apply for it can create real inequality.
Lee made the remarks at a Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on the 20th after receiving a briefing on the program from Health and Welfare Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong. "If you don't apply, you don't get it. That is, in fact, something that creates real inequality," Lee said.
Under the program, people aged 18 to 26 who have no record of paying national pension premiums can enroll in the National Pension Service and apply for support, and the National Pension Service covers their first month of premiums. Enrolling at 18 allows a person to make retroactive payments later for periods when premiums went unpaid because of schooling or military service. That extends the contribution period and can raise future pension payouts.
Lee questioned the fairness of a design in which benefits depend on whether a person applies. He was especially critical of structuring the program on the assumption that some young people will not receive the benefit because of budget constraints, saying that is not a responsible stance for the government to take.
"If the application system stays in place, won't only those who are quick-witted, diligent and have time end up getting the benefit?" Lee said. "But supporting everyone would put too heavy a burden on finances, so the program is run on the assumption that some will give up or fail to apply." He added, "Isn't that the state deceiving its people? Is this a moral state?"
He also offered an alternative for easing the fiscal burden. "If the financial burden is too great, one option would be to set the minimum age for retroactive coverage at a level the government can afford," Lee said.
When Jeong explained why uniform support based on the age of 18 was not feasible, Lee said: "It helps the public, but in the end it comes down to finances, doesn't it? Why make it sound so complicated? Just be honest about it."