Starting Thursday morning, subway stations and bus stops may have caught your eye as groups in colored vests and caps hold placards and give out morning greetings nearby.
Sometimes, you will see the candidates passing by, giving passionate speeches. The chanting of the names of the candidates and the numbers they represent is part of the promotion campaign for the upcoming general election on April 10.
The general election is just a little more than a week away, but it’s hard to wrap our heads around general elections in Korea, let alone fully comprehend the numerous pledges announced by the different parties.
This week, let Jandi explain the basics of the main elections in Korea and which pledges are currently being emphasized by the parties.
What exactly is the general election? — The three major elections in Korea 🗳️
In Korea, three main elections shape the political landscape, all of which allow citizens over 18 to vote.
The presidential election, held every five years, is where voters choose the country's leader through a plurality vote. The current president, Yoon Suk-yeol from the conservative People Power Party (PPP), was elected in May 2022.
Next is the general election, held every four years, which determines the number of party members in parliament. This election decides which party holds the supermajority in the National Assembly.
This year, 253 candidates are competing for 46 proportional representation seats in the 300-member National Assembly, according to the National Election Commission (NEC). The remaining 254 seats are directly contested, with the PPP and the Democratic Party (DP) vying for a majority.
Lastly, the local election also occurs every four years and elects governors, metropolitan mayors, municipal mayors, and provincial and municipal legislatures.
Which parties are involved? Who are the front-runners of the 2024 general election?
- People Power Party (PPP) 🔴
The ruling PPP, led by President Yoon Suk-yeol, dominates the political landscape, while the DP serves as the main opposition.
- Democratic Party (DP) 🔵
The DP, known for its liberal stance, is chaired by Lee Jae-myung, who survived a stabbing incident in Busan on Jan. 2. In the 2020 general election, the DP secured a supermajority with 180 seats.
However, Lee was indicted by prosecutors last year on charges of breach of duty, conflict of interest, corruption, bribery and concealment of criminal proceeds related to his time as mayor of Seongnam and governor of Gyeonggi.
In addition to the PPP and DP, other notable political figures include former PPP leader Lee Jun-seok, leading the New Reform Party, former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, heading the New Future Party and former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, leading the Korea Innovation Party.
What are the major pledges made by the parties? 💬
Political parties are unveiling pledges aimed at older voters, who are expected to comprise the largest voting bloc. For the first time, eligible voters in their 60s or older outnumber those in their 20s or 30s, according to data from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
A significant welfare policy targeting the elderly, proposed by both the liberal DP and the conservative PPP, involves extending national health insurance coverage to caregiver expenses. However, neither party has elaborated on how they plan to fund this expansion.
Additionally, both parties have devised initiatives for younger demographics, including child care support and expansion of discounts. What exactly do these entail? Let's delve into the specifics proposed by each party.
- People Power Party 🔴
Han Dong-hoon, interim leader of the PPP, made a campaign pledge on Wednesday to relocate the Seoul-based National Assembly to Sejong City.
"The complete move from Yeouido will end the era of so-called 'Yeouido-politics,'" Han said during a press conference held at the party's headquarters in Yeouido, western Seoul. Yeouido is the current location of the National Assembly and the country’s most notable financial district with dozens of investment banks.
Han stated that Sejong has ample land and growth potential to accommodate the new National Assembly.
Additionally, the PPP has pledged to take action to improve working conditions for parents with children and emphasized the need to establish a new sector specifically to address the low birthrate in Korea.
Financial support for the younger generation includes expanding the 1,000 won ($0.74) breakfast project to universities and reinforcing discount plans for monthly phone charging rates specifically for youths.
However, the pledges are heavily skewed towards the older population, with promises of free lunch plans seven times a week and the construction of 3,000 public rental housing units annually for older people.
- Democratic Party 🔵
Addressing the financial and housing issues of the older population, the DP has proposed providing free lunches five times a week and building 100,000 housing units for the elderly. The DP estimated that around 148.7 billion won will be needed to provide free lunches five times a week.
The DP's pledges also address socioeconomic issues, as it plans to offer more public housing and confront the infamous jeonse fraud. The DP considers jeonse fraud — long-term deposits not being paid back — as a national 'disaster' and will develop legal plans to push a special act to protect the victims.
In addition to addressing housing fraud, the party announced plans to offer financial support for birth and child care to encourage marriage and childbirth.
What has been the reaction?
In an interview on a local radio show on Wednesday, prominent political consultant Park Sung-min said that a voter turnout higher than 60 percent would likely favor the DP.
Doubts linger over the feasibility of extending national health insurance coverage to caregivers, as neither party has clearly explained how they intend to fund these policies, stating they would merely "adjust their expenditure plans.”
The national health insurance system is anticipated to face a deficit by 2028 as society ages.
Concerns are raised among those who worry about the lack of support for the younger population.
“If we increase pledges for older people, other policies will be less prioritized, potentially harming the future generation,” said Eom Ki-hong, a political science professor at Kyungpook National University.
“We should develop policies with a long-term perspective to relieve the burden on future generations and ensure stability for the elderly.”
To read more about the April 10 general election, check out these articles!
PPP leader promises to shift Seoul's National Assembly to Sejong City
Overseas voting for April general election begins Wednesday
Pork, pandering and accusations abound as campaigning begins
Election campaigns begin with calls for 'punishment' and 'judgment'
Rival parties compete for older voters as electorate grows grayer
