What did Lee Jae Myung say about priority access to public postpartum care centers for multicultural families?

Lee questioned whether mothers from multicultural families and mothers recognized as persons of national merit should be placed in the same category for reservations. He said support for multicultural families is necessary, but that does not justify specific policies he considers unreasonable or potentially discriminatory toward others.

Why did Lee Jae Myung call for reviewing multicultural family support programs?

Lee argued that a general principle he considers righteous does not make every policy detail correct. He said acknowledging and correcting faulty parts of support programs could help necessary support for all gain ground and address resentment toward political correctness or perceived double standards.

How did Lee Jae Myung say the debate over multicultural family support should proceed?

Lee called for the public to engage with sensitive issues rather than avoid them for fear of controversy or leave decisions entirely to leaders behind closed doors. He said the issue should be raised and debated seriously.

Lee says multicultural family support resulting in 'reverse discrimination' cannot be justified

Listen

Summary

President Lee Jae Myung renewed his call Saturday for a review of multicultural family support programs in South Korea, saying preferential policies that may cause reverse discrimination cannot be justified. He questioned whether mothers from multicultural families and mothers recognized as persons of national merit should receive the same priority for reservations at government-funded postpartum care centers. His comments drew criticism from liberal voices who said the proposal could incite hatred. Lee called for public debate and said acknowledging and correcting flawed policies would strengthen necessary support.

Key Facts

Lee raised the issue after citing a post from a conservative online community site.
In an earlier post on X, Lee questioned whether the two groups of mothers should be placed in the same reservation category at government-funded postpartum care centers.
Lee said that defending an issue solely because he advocates it would not solve the problem and could worsen it.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 31, 2026 1:46 pm KST

President Lee Jae Myung delivers remarks during a memorial ceremony marking the fourth anniversary of the Itaewon crowd crush, in Seoul's central Gwanghwamun, Thursday. Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae

President Lee Jae Myung renewed his call Saturday for a review of multicultural family support programs, saying any preferential policy that can create reverse discrimination cannot be justified.

Lee posted the comments on social media amid criticism after he suggested the need to revise the support programs for multicultural families in South Korea, such as priority access to low-cost public postpartum care centers.

In an earlier posting on his X account, Lee questioned whether mothers from multicultural families and mothers recognized as persons of national merit deserve to be placed in the same category for reservations at government-funded postpartum care centers.

The issue, which the liberal president brought forward after citing a post from a conservative online community site, has drawn backlash from the liberal bloc voicing concern that such a move amounts to inciting hatred in society.

"While it is true that support for multicultural families is necessary, that cannot justify specific policies that are unreasonable or may result in reverse discrimination," Lee wrote on X.

"Just because a general assertion is righteous does not mean that every detail of that assertion is correct," he said.

Lee also called to attention why some people often show resentment toward statements about political correctness or double standards, saying that the necessary support for all will further gain ground when "faulty parts" are acknowledged and rectified.

"The more sensitive an issue is, the less we should avoid it out of fear that it will spark controversy or let leaders decide everything behind closed doors, but get the entire public to engage, bring up the issue and debate it seriously," he said.

"Defending the issue only because I advocate that will not help solve the problem, but will only worsen it," he added.

Explore More