(LEAD) Lee calls for youth policy shift amid jobless growth, fewer opportunities

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called for a shift in policies aimed at young people, in response to the country's stagnant economic growth and dwindling opportunities. During a meeting with youth policy experts and officials, the president emphasized the need to identify and address the actual needs of the younger generation.

President Lee stated that South Korea is experiencing a period of economic growth that is characterized by low expansion and fewer job opportunities. He attributed this trend to the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), which may lead to a reduction in the number of jobs available even as the economy grows. The president also noted that current youth policies are not effectively reaching the young people who are facing declining prospects.

He stressed the importance of reviewing existing policies to determine their effectiveness and to better understand the aspirations of the younger generation. President Lee acknowledged that government policies are often formulated from a policy-maker's perspective, rather than from the viewpoint of those who will benefit from them, and called for a more responsive approach to policy-making.

The meeting on youth policy reform took place as President Lee's approval ratings have been slipping in recent weeks, partly due to concerns among young voters about rising housing costs and falling stock prices.