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| ▲ President Lee Jae Myung (C) enters an economic growth strategy meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Jan. 9, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) |
Lee-economy
Lee sounds alarm about K-shaped economy, its effects on youth
By Lee Haye-ah
SEOUL, Jan. 9 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung said Friday that increasing polarization in the country's economic growth is disproportionately affecting the youth, threatening the future of the nation.
Lee made the remark during an economic growth strategy meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, saying the country's K-shaped economy -- an uneven recovery where parts of the economy grow fast while others decline -- is presenting a "grave challenge."
"Judging from the surface and indices, our economy will definitely improve from last year, but the majority of the people will most likely not feel the change," he said.
"Above all the shadow of our K-shaped growth is concentrated on our young generations who carry our future," he continued. "This goes beyond a youth issue and threatens the future growth engines of South Korea's economy."
Lee said more than 400,000 young people have been pushed out of the labor market with no one taking responsibility for the lack of entry-level jobs.
He instructed the government to review current policies from scratch and mobilize all available resources to come up with quick and special measures to respond to the youth job crisis.
"I worry that the next generation will let go of the 'string of hope' out of despair about the current situation," he said.
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