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

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.