Regarding the youth suicide rate, President Lee Jae-myung said, "I believe we may need redoubled efforts unlike anything we have seen before," adding, "We must seek strong, new measures to address academic stress, excessive competition, and bullying."

At a cabinet meeting he presided over at Cheong Wa Dae that day, President Lee made the remarks, saying, "I understand that suicides decreased by more than 10% in the first half of this year, and in particular, those who took their own lives for economic reasons fell by nearly half. This is truly praiseworthy," but noted, "While suicides are declining overall, the youth suicide rate is said to have actually increased slightly."

President Lee stated, "Excessive competition in our society is a source of national competitiveness, but there may have been a lack of attention to relational issues within it," adding, "It is also important to strengthen interaction, communication, and emotional connection in schools."

He also emphasized, "Unlike in the past, relationships between teachers and students also tend to be growing harsh. As parents complain about teachers' discipline, there is reportedly a tendency to avoid intervening whenever possible, but this is also not something to be left unattended," stressing, "Rather than managing it at the current level, a fundamental and structural approach is needed."

He repeatedly urged, "If we have so far copied what exists in other countries or made minor adjustments to existing policies, we now need to drastically change our direction."

He also expressed his stance on strengthening "inclusive finance."

President Lee explained, "The Financial Services Commission has done unprecedentedly well by carrying out extensive debt write-offs and extinguishing delinquent claims, but from what I see, it is still far from enough," adding, "Private moneylenders or debt collection agencies tend to harass people to collect money (when loans are taken out), and we also need to delve deeply into this issue."

He continued, "(It would be good) to enable people who have become credit delinquents and cannot find jobs to carry on with their daily lives, and to provide them to a certain extent with opportunities to work, such as through 'national jobs.'"

In particular, President Lee urged, "Isn't it highly likely that interest rates will rise in the future? The Bank of Korea governor also said that if that happens, there is a high likelihood of problems arising in financing for ordinary working-class citizens, which could ultimately burden the national economy, and that measures must be taken," adding, "If problems arise at the bottom of the K-shaped recovery, growth at the top could also be dragged down, so I hope you will come up with innovative plans."

Regarding the issue of delinquent taxes, he emphasized, "Tax justice is not easy. There are quite many cases where people who have power and clever techniques do not pay their taxes properly," adding, "Whether it is defense, diplomacy, or maintaining public order, costs are incurred. Even in hobby clubs, people pay dues, so we must not allow people to dodge all their dues while enjoying only the benefits and gains."

(Photo: Yonhap News)