Young South Koreans Urged to Marry Without Financial Penalty After Policy Review

Seoul, 8 August – President Lee Jae‑myung announced that the government will carry out an exhaustive audit of statutes that may unintentionally penalise newly married couples. The review targets housing loan eligibility, public housing allocation, and social‑welfare benefits that can become less accessible once a couple registers their marriage. Youth advocacy groups have long warned that the merger of two incomes into a single household often pushes couples out of the low‑interest loan bracket, prompting many to delay official marriage ceremonies. Lee emphasized that the state’s responsibility is to ensure marriage remains a positive life event rather than a financial risk. Proposed measures include creating dedicated loan products for newlyweds, adjusting asset‑test thresholds, and revising welfare formulas so that married couples are not disadvantaged compared with their single peers. The president pledged to monitor the impact of any new regulations closely, aiming to make marriage an attractive and secure option for the nation’s younger generation.