Han Dong-hoon, a candidate for the People Power Party presidential primary, announced a youth pledge on the 29th to expand public institution youth internships to 30,000 and establish a youth retention bonus to support asset formation.
On that day, candidate Han noted, "The state must become a strong shield for the youth facing employment uncertainty, income insecurity, and housing instability due to economic recession and worsening labor market conditions," and announced three key tasks for youth policy (guaranteeing job opportunities, supporting asset formation, and providing housing stability support).
Candidate Han stated, "We will enhance corporate competitiveness and create quality jobs based on AX and advanced industries."
He also announced plans to expand to 30,000 public institution youth internships in fields preferred by youth, such as finance, science and technology, cultural content, and healthcare. In particular, he promised to provide living and housing support for local youth interns to help them settle stably in new areas. Additionally, he stated plans to significantly expand strategic industry-focused on-site talent development programs, such as Samsung SSAFY, Naver Boost Camp, and KT Able School.
He also noted that he would establish the "Youth Leap Law" to provide social safety nets such as re-education and psychological support for youth who fail to find jobs or quit their jobs, and introduce a "job doctor" system to provide tailored employment consulting.
Candidate Han also emphasized that he would not neglect supporting youth asset formation. He proposed various measures including expanding the target of the "Youth Tomorrow Savings Account" to 100,000 people annually, raising the asset formation limit to 30 million won, establishing a youth retention bonus to support long-term employment for youth at small and medium-sized enterprises, introducing special provisions for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for youth, and enhancing youth financial capabilities through financial education and financial counseling.
He added that he would introduce policies to support housing stability, saying, "We will enable youth to cultivate their dreams without the burden of housing costs."
He promised to create large-scale youth towns and shared youth housing complexes in areas with affordable land prices in Seoul and nearby metropolitan areas. Through this, he aims to establish a youth network, youth-friendly services, and a startup ecosystem. He also emphasized diversifying youth housing models using idle spaces such as study villages and abandoned school sites.
He stated that to support home acquisition for youth and newlyweds, the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio regulations will be eased, and acquisition tax and registration tax will be waived for home purchases to broaden asset formation opportunities for youth.
He also announced plans to significantly increase the general sale volume targeting youth and newlyweds in areas released from the green belt in the metropolitan area and areas undergoing reconstruction and redevelopment, and actively provide sales opportunities for unmarried youth without homes.
Candidate Han emphasized, "The first step to creating a country of a growing middle class is the youth," stating, "We will create a world where youth can dream endlessly and realize those dreams together with South Korea."