More than Half of S. Koreans Want ‘Anti-welfare Policy’ Abolished

The majority of South Koreans from all regions except Seoul, all age groups, and political sentiments called on the government to abolish the policy. (image: Korea Bizwire)

SEOUL, Nov. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — More than half of all South Koreans support the idea of abolishing a policy that excludes people from receiving basic welfare if they have a family member with a certain amount of assets or income.

Realmeter, a public opinion research agency, conducted a survey of 501 adults, 55.5 percent of whom supported the idea of abolishing the policy. Another 31.7 percent opposed the idea.

The majority of South Koreans from all regions except Seoul, all age groups, and political sentiments called on the government to abolish the policy.

The government currently plans to shut down the policy described by many as an ‘obstacle to welfare’ by 2022.

“It means that the government will take responsibility for poverty,” said Park Neung-hoo, the Minister of Health and Welfare. “We will become a true welfare state only when the policy is completely disassembled.”

M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)