Fulfill the 1.2 million won pledge for the pension-gap generation

The Employment, Welfare, and Pension Advancement Solidarity (Prsident Juch Myong-Yong) urged the implementation of the 1.2 million won allowance pledge for the “Transitional Generation Gap (TGG),” those caught in the income gap period after retirement and before receiving the national pension, at the “Taoreum Talk Concert September Monthly Forum” held at 3 p.m. on the 9th at the Korea Association of Retired Persons (KARP) auditorium in Gwangjang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

At the forum, attended by over 100 people, President Juch pointed out that many citizens experience a pension gap of more than five years between retirement and the start of national pension payments, during which time their economic hardship is compounded by deepening social isolation. He criticized the political establishment for taking no substantial action despite the urgent need for national-level protection for this generation.

President Juch recalled that during the 2022 presidential election, the Democratic Party pledged to provide 1.2 million won in support for the pension-gap generation, which reflected the desperate demands of middle-aged and older citizens facing economic difficulties. He emphasized, “This 1.2 million won pledge is not merely financial support but represents the minimum social safety net our society must guarantee.” He further argued that fulfilling this pledge would be a vital symbol for restoring citizens’ trust in politics and policy. Moreover, it would also ease the anxiety of those born in the 1960s and 1970s, who may face similar circumstances in the future.

President Juch stressed that the state’s remedy for the “income cliff” shock the day after retirement must be the realization of “Baebeolsa” (a senior lifestyle of learning, earning, and living) and the allowance policy.

Mr.Juch asserted, “A party pledge is not simply a promotional tool for a candidate but a social contract with the people,” stressing that it must be honored regardless of election results. He further emphasized that policy should not be treated as a one-off election event but as part of the nation’s long-term plan. However, he noted that the implementation of this pledge has been lacking since the election, and that while KARP had inquired with the Democratic Party’s policy office, they are still awaiting a response.

He concluded by stressing, “The power to drive policy change comes from citizens’ active demands and participation. If citizens remain silent, political pledges are easily forgotten and abandoned.” He strongly called for urgent protective policies for the pension-gap generation and the fulfillment of the 1.2 million won pledge to uphold party accountability and trust in public policy.

The forum also echoed the civic society’s strong determination to reinforce the social safety net through responsible politics that keeps promises with the people, with slogans such as “Fulfill the 1.2 million won pledge for the pension-gap generation (TGG)!” and “This must not become mere populism!”