South Korean Government to Prioritize Welfare and Safety Policies

The presidential office said Sunday that the government will advance key policies in welfare, labor and other areas by prioritizing the protection of people's lives and livelihoods. Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Kang Yu-jung highlighted the Lee Jae Myung government's national vision of a "life-saving administration" during a press briefing.

"The president repeatedly emphasized that protecting the lives and safety of the people is the state's foremost responsibility," Kang said. The government aims to strengthen the social safety net through such initiatives as regional doctor programs and public medical schools to realize life-saving welfare.

Speaking about the welfare program "Just Dream," which provides food and basic necessities to those in need and is set for full implementation following a pilot phase, Kang said it is designed to guarantee the right to survival for people in severe economic hardship. Improvements to the system are needed to prevent any misuse, Kang added.

The government's labor policies will focus on preventing industrial accidents, reducing overwork and strengthening protections against subcontracting of hazardous work. Financial policies will target illegal lending, predatory debt collection and market manipulation, Kang said.

President Lee Jae Myung visited a "Just Dream" program site in a town in North Chungcheong Province on Feb. 11, 2026, where he spoke with officials about the program's operation.