Seoul mayoral candidate Jung Won-oh proposes 700,000 won 'first independence' grant for young adults

Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party’s candidate for Seoul mayor, met with young office workers on April 22 as he stepped up his street-level campaign focused on livelihoods. He said he understood their concerns about living costs, noting that “in reality, real income is declining in some ways.”
 
Jung made the remarks during his third “Seoul In(people)terview” lunchtime session for office workers, held in Jung-gu, central Seoul. A participant identified only by the surname Kim said lunch in busy areas such as Gwanghwamun and Gangnam Station typically costs 12,000 to 15,000 won, calling it a burden.
 
Jung responded that eating two meals at 15,000 won each would total 30,000 won a day, adding up to about 1 million won a month for food. He also cited monthly rent for one-room units near university districts at 600,000 to 700,000 won, and said rent can reach 1 million won, putting combined food and housing costs at about 2 million won.
 
Targeting young adults, Jung pledged a “first independence” grant for those moving out on their own for the first time. The plan would provide 700,000 won in total: 400,000 won for real estate brokerage fees and 300,000 won for living expenses.

He also said he would create a mayoral office-level organization and 추진 a “Youth Cheer Start Home” five-part package, including steps to prevent jeonse fraud and strengthen tenant protections.
 
The proposal follows programs Jung promoted in Seongdong-gu, including a “coming-of-age start grant” for 19-year-olds and support for essential purchases for young people who moved into the district and formed one-person households.

Jung said that when he was in Seongdong-gu, the district provided a 200,000 won coming-of-age gift at age 20. “It’s small, but it feels good,” he said, adding that it helps young people feel society is paying attention and making an effort for them.
 
Jung has been running the “Seoul In(people)terview” series since April 15. The campaign selects stories from text messages sent to a direct number for the candidate, and Jung visits people in person to hear their concerns and suggest policy responses. He said he plans to develop pledges based on what he hears and present a vision of “Seoul where citizens are the owners.”



* This article has been translated by AI.

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