Budget shortfall leaves 90 eligible young people without special support

Data submitted by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to People Power Party lawmaker Kim Gunn show that, as of August this year, 90 young people met the requirements for special support for at-risk youth but were not selected because of insufficient funding. They represented 2.65% of the 3,392 applicants.

The special support program covers expenses tailored to the needs of young people aged 9 to 24 facing social or economic difficulties. Those selected may receive help with living and education expenses, as well as vocational training, psychological counseling, and procedures to correct appearance or scars, depending on their circumstances.

Eligible groups include young people from households at or below 100% of the standard median income who have no guardian or receive no effective protection, those outside school, socially isolated or reclusive youth, and youth involved in delinquency. The program is jointly funded by the gender equality ministry and local governments.

Among those excluded this year because of insufficient funding, the largest group was the 39 young people who had no guardian or received no effective protection. There were also 28 who needed support to prevent delinquency or behavioral problems, 18 outside school, and four who were socially isolated or reclusive.

By region, 42 young people in Gyeonggi Province, 29 in Seoul, and 15 in Incheon did not receive support because of insufficient funding. The 86 in the capital region accounted for about 96% of the total.

Last year, 38 of the 4,106 applicants, or 0.93%, were excluded because of insufficient funding. The corresponding numbers in 2023 and 2024 were 36 and 32.

Kim said young people were losing opportunities for support because of insufficient funding year after year. He called on the government to secure sufficient funding and improve the support system, stressing that promoting the program alone was not enough.