On March 24, 2026, the halls of South Korea’s National Assembly buzzed with a rare sense of urgency and reflection, as Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae took the podium at a youth policy meeting. The event, attended by a diverse array of party officials, government representatives, and youth leaders, quickly became a focal point for one of the nation’s most pressing social dilemmas: the growing number of young people who have given up on seeking employment, a group now widely referred to as ‘쉬었음 청년’—literally, youth who have stopped trying.
Jeong’s remarks cut straight to the heart of the issue. "The term '쉬었음 청년' is very painful," he admitted, his voice carrying a weight that resonated with the room. According to Yonhap News, he continued, "It’s time for the party and government to put their heads together and address youth housing and employment problems, starting from small areas and building up."
This was no empty rhetoric. Jeong’s words reflected a deep concern for a generation struggling under the burden of economic uncertainty. The phrase ‘쉬었음 청년’ has come to symbolize a generation’s frustration—young people who, without serious illness or disability, have abandoned the search for work, often due to repeated rejections, lack of opportunities, or sheer exhaustion. As Maeil Ilbo reported, the scale of this phenomenon has reached record highs, sparking widespread social worry.
Jeong, who himself was a student activist in his youth, drew a sharp comparison between past and present. "Back then, protesting felt hard, but these days, finding a job is even harder," he reflected, according to CBC News. He recalled, "When I was young, I spent more time protesting than attending university lectures. I hoped my juniors wouldn’t have to protest, but now I think it’s even more difficult for them to find employment." This generational shift, he argued, is a sobering sign of how the landscape for young people has changed.
Throughout the event, Jeong emphasized the need for tangible solutions that young people can truly feel. "We should treat youth issues as a national priority," he said, urging both the Democratic Party and the government to "start from small, practical steps." He added, "If we can untangle one thread, just like when we solved issues during student movements, perhaps other problems will unravel as well." The message was clear: symbolic gestures and slogans are no longer enough—what’s needed are real, incremental changes that make a difference in everyday lives.
The meeting was more than just talk. It brought together the party’s think tank, the Democratic Research Institute, and three major youth organizations: the Youth Future Joint Conference, the National Youth Committee, and the National University Student Committee. Together, they signed a policy agreement outlining six key areas for action: youth asset formation and economic independence, housing stability, job expansion and labor rights, political and social participation, tailored welfare, and the activation of regional youth policies.
Kim Dong-a, chair of the Youth Future Joint Conference, highlighted the significance of this collaboration. "For the first time since the founding of the Democratic Party, all three major youth organizations and our party’s think tank have come together to sign a policy agreement," he said. "This isn’t just about shouting slogans—it’s about delivering real results that improve young people’s lives and give them hope for the future." According to Newsis, Kim stressed his commitment to working alongside both the government and the party to turn these plans into reality.
The event also drew participation from a broad spectrum of government agencies, including the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Representatives from youth advocacy groups and civil society, such as the Korea Youth Foundation and the Korean Independent Film Association, added their voices, signaling a united front in tackling these challenges.
Jeong’s approach was both pragmatic and empathetic. He acknowledged the structural issues behind the ‘쉬었음 청년’ trend, pointing to a shortage of quality jobs and the psychological toll of repeated setbacks. "It’s heartbreaking that so many young people have simply given up searching for work," he said. "We have to start by addressing the small things—housing, jobs, welfare—so that young people can feel the changes in their daily lives."
He also made a point to highlight the government’s recent achievements, particularly under President Lee Jae-myung. "The Lee Jae-myung government has managed to tackle problems that once seemed insurmountable," Jeong argued, citing the normalization of the KOSPI stock index and progress in real estate policy as examples. "Most past governments have failed in the so-called real estate wars, but I believe this administration is finally on the path to success." As Maeil Ilbo and CBC News both noted, Jeong’s confidence in the government’s direction was clear, though he stressed that more needed to be done for youth to truly feel the impact.
Other youth leaders at the event echoed Jeong’s sense of urgency. Mo Kyung-jong, chair of the National Youth Committee, remarked, "Young people in Korea are facing a tough reality. That’s why it’s time for the Democratic Party and the Lee Jae-myung government to step up." He called for a broad, inclusive approach that recognizes the diverse challenges faced by young people in education, culture, the arts, and agriculture. "We need everyone’s voices and ideas to come together," he said, as reported by Newsis.
The policy agreement signed at the event lays out a roadmap for action, but as Jeong himself noted, the real test will be whether these promises translate into change that young people can see and feel. "If young people propose practical, achievable policies, we’ll turn them into real commitments," Jeong promised, inviting the youth in attendance to help shape the party’s agenda.
For many in the room, the day’s discussions marked a turning point—a recognition that the challenges facing Korea’s youth are not just personal struggles, but national ones that demand collective action. As the meeting drew to a close, the sense of shared responsibility lingered. The hope, as Jeong and his colleagues made clear, is that by starting small and working together, Korea can begin to rebuild the dreams and ambitions of a generation that has too often felt left behind.
Whether these efforts will be enough to reverse the ‘쉬었음 청년’ trend remains to be seen, but for now, the conversation has shifted. The message from the National Assembly was unmistakable: youth issues are everyone’s concern, and the time for meaningful action has arrived.