Noksal, who received a 12 million won subsidy for the birth of his second child, criticizes government benefits: "They should be honored as 'heroes'" [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Singer Noksal (39, real name Lee Jun-young) has become the center of attention after delivering a sharp critique of the government's child-rearing support policies.

Previously, on the 16th, a video published on the YouTube channel 'Annyeong Hansaemyo and Urban Zakapa' featured Noksal as a guest.

In the video, Urban Zakapa member Jo Hyun-ah asked, "I hear that support funds have increased because the birth rate is low, but have they actually increased?"

Noksal replied, "Actually, right now you receive about 1 million won per month for one year. I hear that starting next year, it will change to a lump-sum payment."

He then bluntly stated, "To be honest, this country is not in its right mind. The collapse of the nation is not far off, yet these are the only benefits? This is..."

In response to Jo Hyun-ah's question, "(Should there be) more benefits?", Noksal raised his voice and said, "Of course. It would not be enough if they did not honor those who give birth as heroes. In my opinion, while having a child may not be considered a high-ranking position right now, I believe we need to encourage and promote it even more."

Noksal also pointed out, "In fact, there are people like us who live relatively comfortably. For these people, having children is a choice. But there will also be people for whom having a child is not a choice but something that happens. There needs to be a point where we truly support and encourage these people when a child is born in any way. The amount currently given in Korea does not allow for that. They only give it for one year. So this is unreasonable."

However, the remarks drew a cold reaction from netizens. Netizens responded with comments such as, "It is a policy to encourage childbirth, not to compensate for it, right? No couple gives birth for the sake of the country," "I hope they also provide benefits to those who had children when such welfare did not exist. That is just talking out of one's full belly," "Did you deposit money with the country?", "They do not know how to be grateful for welfare," "You have not deposited money with the country, right?", and "I am also a mother raising a baby, but I have never complained about the lack of benefits. Why beg the country for money when you had a child because you both wanted to?"

On the other hand, Noksal married a non-celebrity wife who is six years his junior in 2022, welcomed their first son the following year, and gave birth to their second son in October 2025.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original