Lee calls for review of multicultural family benefits over reverse discrimination concerns

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Saturday that the country should continue supporting multicultural families but must correct policies that are unreasonable or result in reverse discrimination.

“Support for multicultural families is necessary, but that does not justify specific policies that are unreasonable or lead to reverse discrimination,” Lee wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“Just because a general principle is right does not mean every specific policy based on it is also right,” he added.

His remarks came amid a growing controversy over preferential treatment for multicultural families in public services, particularly priority access to government-run postpartum care centers and additional points for daycare admission.

Lee has repeatedly addressed the issue since Wednesday, when he questioned in an online post whether multicultural families should be given priority over other households in accessing such facilities.

The presidential office has clarified that Lee was not calling for an end to support for multicultural families, but rather for a review of whether certain benefits are appropriately targeted.

In the post, the president also urged policymakers and the public to reflect on why some people have become critical of political correctness, perceived double standards and partisan rhetoric.

Lee stressed that sensitive policy issues should be addressed through open discussion rather than avoided because of controversy or decided behind closed doors.