President Lee: "Lowering the age of juvenile offenders; reach a conclusion quickly and legislate"

"A range of lowering the age by 1–2 years for serious and repeat offenses"
Despite controversy over retroactive National Pension payments for foreigners, "quickly fill the loopholes"
President Lee Jae-myung speaking at a Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on the 25th. Yonhap News
Regarding the issue of lowering the age of juvenile offenders (Chokbeop-sonyeon), President Lee Jae-myung stated, "It seems to be being delayed for too long," and called for a prompt conclusion and legislation. In particular, he requested that the government re-examine public opinion on the plan to lower the age threshold for juvenile offenders by 1–2 years for serious and repeat offenses and expedite institutional improvements.
During a Cabinet meeting presided over at the Blue House on the morning of the 25th, President Lee said, "The issue of lowering the age of juvenile offenders also seems to be being delayed for too long, so I hope a conclusion is reached quickly."
He went on to explain the direction discussed so far, saying, "The conclusion has a set range," and "We will lower it within a range of about one or two years for serious and repeat offenses." He emphasized, "I would like us to screen the opinions of our citizens on this matter once more, organize it early, and then proceed with legislation."
Currently, juvenile offenders are defined as those between the ages of 10 and 14, who receive protective measures under the Juvenile Act instead of criminal punishment even if they commit a crime. The government has been discussing ways to lower the age threshold for juvenile offenders to strengthen the response to serious and repeat offenses, and President Lee's remarks today are interpreted as an order to finalize discussions early after re-confirming public opinion.
President Lee also instructed a swift improvement of the system regarding the recently controversial issue of retroactive National Pension payments for foreigners. President Lee stated, "Since no system can be perfect when designed, loopholes will occur," and "When those loopholes are discovered, it is necessary to supplement them as quickly as possible to fill the gaps."
Recently, criticisms have been raised that the system does not align with its original intent, following reports that foreigners can join the National Pension for one month and then make retroactive payments for up to 119 months corresponding to their past periods of stay to meet the 10-year requirement for old-age pension benefits.
President Lee emphasized, "This issue itself is not the only problem; problems can arise in all other national policy matters as well," and "True capability lies in how quickly and perfectly one can correct problems and create alternatives when they arise."