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| Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, attends a press conference with female startup CEOs held in Seoul's Dongjak District, Monday. Joint Press Corps |
By Jung Da-min
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While some say these pledges are practical because they are closely related to people's daily needs, others say that the candidates are only focusing on "micro" and "populist" issues that get immediate and rave responses, without specific plans on how to secure the relevant budgets, and that they are failing to present promises on "macro" and "serious" issues that require long-term planning and discussions.
The competition involving such campaign pledges linked to people's daily lives and welfare is heating up, especially after ruling liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate Lee Jae-myung's pledge to expand national health insurance coverage to include hair regrowth treatments got considerable attention from voters with thinning hair.
The ruling party's election camp has since been promoting the campaign pledge, while also presenting other pledges that are closely linked to people's daily lives, such as financial support for those receiving dental implant treatments. Such pledges have yet to be announced as formal policy promises, but it is said that the ruling party side is actively considering doing so.
"I believe it is the duty of the state to alleviate and relieve any points that the people are suffering from," Lee said during his appearance in a TV debate hosted by local broadcaster MBC, Jan. 5, referring to his pledge to support those experiencing hair loss.
Addressing concerns of financial resources in carrying out such pledges, Lee said the coverage may require an annual budget of 100 billion won, which is not that large an amount.
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| Yoon Suk-yeol, the presidential candidate of the main opposition conservative People Power Party, presents his policy promises for Incheon residents at a square in front of Incheon Station, Thursday. Joint Press Corps |
While calling Lee's pledges populist, the election camp of main opposition People Power Party (PPP) candidate Yoon Suk-yeol has also presented other pledges linked to the daily lives of people, such as freezing charging rates for electric vehicles, to expand the electric vehicle market, and allowing subway-only commuter passes to be used on buses when transferring from the bus to the subway, or vice-versa. In addition, Yoon has also pledged to expand public shelters for dogs to support voters who have pets.
"The nation lacks facilities for those with dogs, where their animals can play and rest, such as dog playgrounds. In particular, riverside areas such as Hangang Park are often used for dog walking, but dog playgrounds are not even installed due to related regulations," Yoon said in a press release on his campaign pledges for those with pets, Saturday.
"We are planning to install dog playgrounds in river areas such as Hangang Park and expand pet shelters in public areas."
