South Korean President Tackles 'Marriage Penalties,' Aims to Ease Burden on Young Couples

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has urged the government to eliminate policies that create "marriage penalties," discouraging young people from tying the knot. He emphasized that the nation's policies should not be a barrier to marriage for its youth.

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Our young people should never hesitate to marry because of national policies.

"Our young people should never hesitate to marry because of national policies," President Lee stated on his X (formerly Twitter) account. He invited open feedback on any regulations perceived as unreasonable, promising a thorough review.

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If there are systems you think are unreasonable, please feel free to tell us.

President Lee shared a document titled "22 Marriage Penalties Found Through Youth Voices," compiled through consultations with youth forums, real estate discussions, and government ministries. The list highlights 22 specific issues that directly affect housing and asset accumulation, which are primary concerns for young couples.

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I have instructed a thorough investigation into institutional disadvantages that may arise from marriage.

Among the proposed improvements are easing income requirements for housing loans like the "Didimdol" and "Beotimtok" programs, expanding eligibility for first-time homebuyers' loans, and adjusting income criteria for special housing applications for newlyweds and those with newborns. President Lee committed to meticulously examining each proposal to ensure fairness and provide tangible benefits, aiming to make marriage a source of hope rather than a burden.

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In the process, twenty-two tasks, including loans, subscriptions, and taxation, which directly affect housing and asset formation, were proposed first.