The Seoul Metropolitan Government will expand the target scope of 'youth allowance' from the current youth allowance beneficiaries of 3,000 to 5,000 next year. The budget for youth allowance has increased to 180.5 billion won(US$ 150 million), up more than two times from the current 89.1 billion won(US$ 74 million).

Seoul Major Park Won-soon held a press briefing on Monday at the city hall and explained his vision on the 'war against inequality' through the investment in the future generation. The selected youth not in the labor market aged between 19 to 29 for Seoul City's youth allowance program will receive the cash transfer of 500,000 won(US$ 415) per month.

Seoul City will also expand the 'Youth New Deal Jobs Project' which targets the unemployed youth aged between 18 to 39. The jobs available in the form of full-time or part-time employment will increase from the current 2,000 to 5,500 next year and they will be paid the living wage set by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which is an hourly rate of 8,200 won(US$ 6.81), higher than the national minimum wage hourly rate of 6,470 won(US$ 5.37).

reported by Yon Yoon-jeong
translated by Kim Sung-jin