사랑하면 손해라고요?"…결혼 장벽 허무는 파격적인 ‘결혼 인센티브’의 시대 > K-wave Trends

The core of this policy lies in significantly lowering the threshold for public rental housing to resolve the housing anxiety of newlyweds. Previously, it was common for dual-income couples to be pushed out of public rental housing because their combined income slightly exceeded the eligibility requirements. To improve this irrationality, the government has raised the dual-income threshold for "Happy Housing" from 7.63 million won to 9.39 million won, and the general supply standard for integrated public rental housing to 9.24 million won. This is a radical figure, nearly double the income standard for single-person households, designed to ensure housing stability for dual-income couples even after marriage. Furthermore, by allowing a one-time renewal for young people who moved in while single even if they exceed the income threshold after marriage, the government has fundamentally blocked the anxiety of being evicted from one's home upon marriage.

Meticulous efforts to remove the "marriage penalty" are also evident in loans and asset formation. The practice where young people who used the Housing and Urban Fund's "Beotimmok Loan" before marriage faced interest rate hikes due to combined income after marriage is being eliminated. The government has decided to cut the additional interest rate applied even if the couple's combined income exceeds the threshold after marriage by half, from 0.3 percentage points to 0.15 percentage points. In addition, the eligibility criteria for the Youth Future Savings Account have been significantly relaxed to twice the level of a single-person household, preventing the economic disruption newlyweds often face during their asset-building years. These measures embody a policy commitment to ensure that marriage is more than just a union—it should create economic synergy.

The housing ladder policy for newlyweds considering childbirth and child-rearing has also become more robust. For households needing more space as their children grow, the previously restrictive requirements for moving to larger units have been relaxed, expanding opportunities regardless of the child's age. In particular, the "Newborn Special Supply," scheduled to be established in June, will expand its scope to include private housing, which is expected to dramatically reduce the competitive burden faced by households with newborns when securing housing. This goes beyond simply providing more living space; it demonstrates the government's clear policy direction of creating an "environment good for raising children" by ensuring that childbirth leads directly to improved living conditions.

Regarding tax issues, meticulous consideration has been included for unavoidable situations where couples cannot live together. Previously, couples living apart due to weekend work or the relocation of public institutions to local areas had to bear economic disadvantages, as only one person could receive the income tax deduction for principal and interest repayments on jeonse loans. The government plans to improve the system so that couples living in different residences can each receive the deduction, effectively easing the tax burden. Additionally, the unreasonable regulation that completely excluded couples from fuel tax refunds if they owned two compact cars after marriage has been improved to allow refunds for one vehicle per household. Such attention to detail will play a major role in resolving the vague aversion young people feel toward marriage.

Meanwhile, these measures encompass the employment and welfare sectors for young people, building a multifaceted support system. The government is reviewing plans to expand accident insurance coverage for young people completing military service to help them return to their studies or the workforce quickly, and to reflect the period of military service in the age range for youth policy support, extending it by up to six years. Furthermore, through financial incentives that support AI talent cultivation and job creation by companies, the government is actively intervening in the "quality job" issue, which is the biggest concern for young people preparing for marriage. This can be evaluated as a comprehensive strategy to improve the quality of life that considers the entire life cycle of young people, going beyond simple cash handouts.