Jeong Eun-kyeong "Caution Needed in Introducing Automatic Adjustment for National Pension... Need to Reflect Perception of Unmarried Births"

[Financial News] Jeong Eun-kyeong, the nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, stated on the 16th that a cautious approach is needed regarding the introduction of the 'automatic adjustment mechanism,' which is being discussed as one of the reform measures for the National Pension.
 Nominee Jeong expressed this view in a written Q&A submitted to the National Assembly ahead of the personnel hearing scheduled for the 18th, in response to a question about her opinion on the introduction of the automatic adjustment mechanism as part of the National Pension reform measures.
 The automatic adjustment mechanism is a system set to automatically increase insurance premiums or reduce pension benefits without a separate political decision if the National Pension's finances deteriorate. However, there are concerns that if this mechanism is activated, the amount of pension received by the public may decrease, potentially weakening retirement income.
 Nominee Jeong said, "After the previous government announced the pension reform plan, including the automatic adjustment mechanism, there were many concerns and criticisms about the weakening of retirement income," adding, "Considering that the current level of retirement income security in our country is insufficient, I think it is a matter that needs careful review."
 When asked about the need for youth participation in the pension reform decision-making process, she replied, "Youth generation participation is necessary in the pension reform process," and "I will continue to make efforts to reflect the voices of the youth generation in the reform discussions and actively support the related procedures of the National Assembly's Special Committee on Pension Reform."
 Regarding 'unmarried births' as a response to low birth rates, she stated, "I have heard that the perception that one can give birth even in relationships without marriage is increasing, especially among the younger generation," and "I will look into whether the system is not reflecting the changing perceptions of the youth and ensure that children born regardless of their parents' marital status receive the same support."
 Regarding the raising of the elderly age standard due to accelerated aging, she said, "The elderly age standard is closely related to various systems such as welfare and retirement, and there are concerns about increasing elderly poverty rates, so it needs thorough review."
 Nominee Jeong mentioned resolving medical conflicts, promoting medical reform, successful implementation of the community integrated care system, building a social safety net, and eliminating welfare blind spots as policies she wants to pursue if she becomes the Minister of Health and Welfare.
 She said, "I will ensure that the ongoing pilot projects, legal revisions, and securing of personnel and budgets are carried out without a hitch to successfully settle the integrated care system, which will be implemented in March next year," and "I will strengthen the social safety net, such as reforming the basic livelihood security system, and establish a system to respond to various welfare demands such as social isolation, lonely deaths, and crisis households in welfare blind spots."

imne@fnnews.com Hong Ye-ji Reporter