Politics · South Korea · 1 hr ago
South Korea’s president calls for fair rules in support programs
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung called for fair rules in support programs at a cabinet meeting in Seoul.
He said the state should help people facing social and economic hardship, but that support must also have reasonable grounds that people can understand.
His comments came amid debate over preferential treatment for multicultural families, which Lee said he had previously agreed to review.
Lee warned that unfair rules could weaken trust in policies and give people who stir hostility toward disadvantaged groups an opening.
He said protection is still needed, but questioned whether multicultural families should automatically receive priority for services such as childcare.
The government will review public-service eligibility and implementation and quickly change rules it finds unreasonable or unfair.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for fairness and rational grounds in government support programs for socially and economically disadvantaged people.
Speaking at a Cabinet meeting on Nov. 3, Lee said unexplained benefits could weaken public trust and provide a pretext for groups that stir hostility toward vulnerable people.
He asked the government to review public-service eligibility rules and implementation and quickly correct arrangements that the public finds unreasonable or unfair.
His remarks were seen as referring to controversy over preferential programs for multicultural families.
Lee said protective policies are necessary, but questioned whether multicultural families should receive automatic priority for services such as childcare centers or postpartum care centers.
- Who
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
- What
- He called for fair and rational rules in support programs while saying protective policies are necessary.
- When
- Nov. 3, 2026.
- Where
- At a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House in Seoul.
- Why
- He said benefits without reasonable grounds could damage trust in government programs and give groups that stir hostility toward vulnerable people a pretext to do so.
Supporters of reviewing preferential programs
Critics of reducing support for vulnerable groups
Purpose of support
Supporters of reviewing preferential programs
Lee said protective policies are needed, but eligibility and benefits should have fair and rational grounds.
Critics of reducing support for vulnerable groups
Some critics said weakening support for socially disadvantaged people is wrong.
Multicultural-family preferences
Supporters of reviewing preferential programs
Lee questioned whether multicultural families should receive automatic priority for services such as childcare centers or postpartum care centers.
Critics of reducing support for vulnerable groups
The article reports objections to reducing support for vulnerable people, but does not give specific views on those priority arrangements.
Lee cited a post on X and said he would review whether to abolish preferential programs for multicultural families.
At a Cabinet meeting, Lee called for a review of public-service support criteria and implementation.
- President
- Lee Jae Myung
- Cabinet meeting
- Nov. 3, 2026
- Earlier statement
- Oct. 28, on X
- Programs under debate
- Preferential support for multicultural families
- Examples raised
- Priority at childcare centers and postpartum care centers
1 source
What people are saying
The national community has a duty to look after the difficulties of socially and economically disadvantaged people and carefully prepare support measures for them.
But in that process, the principles of fairness and rationality must also be considered.
Protective policies are necessary.
What I am actually concerned about is far-right agitation in our society.