South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaks during the Economic Growth Strategy National Briefing at the presidential office in Seoul on Thursday. Photo by Yonhap/ EPA
Jan. 9 (Asia Today) — South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said Thursday that “extraordinary measures” are needed to address what he called a national crisis for young people pushed to the brink of employment amid “K-shaped growth,” a term used to describe an uneven recovery that concentrates gains on one side of the economy.
Lee made the remarks at the “2026 Economic Growth Strategy National Briefing” at the presidential office, calling for steps that mobilize the country’s full capabilities to support young people.
Lee said South Korea is facing “K-shaped growth,” in which the benefits of recovery are not broadly shared, and said the structure must be improved because it places a heavier burden on younger generations.
He said the impact of polarized growth is being concentrated on young people, threatening not only youth employment but also the country’s long-term growth potential.
“If national growth and corporate profits do not translate into job opportunities for young people, it is difficult to call that society healthy,” Lee said.
Lee said more than 400,000 young people have been pushed out of the labor market and are still being asked by employers to have work experience, while no one takes responsibility for providing a starting point. He urged officials to develop effective measures that break from existing policy frameworks.
Lee said the government is committed to ensuring people share in the fruits of growth and described this year as the first in which his administration will fully take responsibility for economic management.
He pointed to policies aimed at “normalizing” the economy, including efforts to foster the semiconductor industry, as a path to strengthening growth momentum.
However, Lee cautioned that even if external indicators improve compared with last year, many people may not feel the change. He said growth polarization should be treated as a structural challenge rather than a temporary cycle and called for efforts to ensure the benefits of growth are broadly shared.
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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