[Anchor]

The government has decided to expand next year's youth support budget to 43.3 trillion won, an increase of more than 50% from the current level. It is expected that each young person will receive up to 200 million won in benefits. President Lee Jae-myung emphasized that society must be shaped so that young people gain opportunities commensurate with their efforts, stressing that the government will grow the pie of economic growth.

Reporter Kang Cheongwan has the details.

[Reporter]

A "Youth Budget Unboxing" event was held today (August 28) at the Blue House to introduce major youth support programs and budgets that the government will implement next year.

President Lee Jae-myung stated that it is the government's responsibility to create a society where young people can secure opportunities in proportion to their efforts.

[President Lee Jae-myung: The most important thing would be economic opportunity. Ultimately, I believe the most crucial task for our government at this stage is to grow the pie. That is why we are focusing on growth.]

The government plans to increase next year's youth-related budget by 53.5% from this year, expanding it to a record-high 43.3 trillion won. It aims to roll out employment, housing, financial, and welfare policies for young people, such as initial job career support, expanded future savings support, and priority supply of public housing.

[Lee Hye-rim, Director of the Inclusive Society Strategy Division at the Ministry of Planning and Budget: We intend to provide support amounting to up to about 195 million won by the age of 34, when they reach adulthood.]

According to the presidential approval ratings for the third and fourth weeks of August released by pollster Gallup Korea, approval ratings among respondents in their 20s and under and those in their 30s both hovered in the 30% range, falling below the average approval rating.

Analyses suggest that the efforts poured into youth policies by President Lee and the Blue House are not unrelated to these approval rating figures.

(Photo: Yonhap News) (Video by: Jung Sang-bo, Yoon Hyung | Video Editing by: Wee Won-yang | Design by: Yeji)