"I will change everything except for the name of the Republic of Korea. In the economic sector, I will minimize government intervention." (Hong Joon-pyo, candidate)
"In this era of economic warfare, we need strong economic leadership like former President Park Chung-hee, not a small government." (Han Dong-hoon, candidate)
Candidates for the People Power Party's presidential primary clashed on the 18th at the '1st primary candidate vision conference' held in Gangseo District, Seoul.
They each presented their key pledges for 10 minutes in the order of Yoo Jeong-bok, Hong Joon-pyo, Kim Moon-soo, Ahn Cheol-soo, Yang Hyang-ja, Na Kyung-won, Lee Cheol-woo, and Han Dong-hoon.
Candidate Hong Joon-pyo stated, "A new country of Hong Joon-pyo is a 'developed country era' with no shortage in politics, economy, society, and culture" and added, "To achieve this, we must first change the Constitution. I will introduce a four-year term limit and an elected vice presidency and move the National Assembly to a bicameral system."
In the economic sector, he revealed plans for minimum government intervention, the establishment of a Future Strategy Institute, and the consolidation of 13 to 14 government departments into a 'small government'.
Candidate Kim Moon-soo presented a 10-point vision for a 'great Republic of Korea'. This included defending liberal democracy, actively responding to pro-North Korea, anti-U.S., and anti-corporation forces, strengthening defense security, developing nuclear-powered submarines, and expanding practical diplomacy. In the economy and industry, he proposed creating an environment conducive to corporations, regulatory reform, improving the dual structure of the labor market, and nurturing national strategies for 10 key technologies to elevate South Korea as one of the world's top three powers in artificial intelligence (AI).
Candidate Kim emphasized, "Kim Moon-soo has proven through action, not words, by attracting Samsung's semiconductor complex to Pyeongtaek and completing the metropolitan transportation transfer system."
Candidate Han Dong-hoon stated, "I will increase the national income to $40,000 and grow the middle class to 70%" and added, "I will reduce earned income taxes for hardworking citizens to enhance the mobility of social classes and will draft, implement, and be evaluated on a two-year growth plan for the future just like former President Park Chung-hee."
He continued, "I will invest 150 trillion won in building AI infrastructure over five years and will address the issue of concentration in the metropolitan area by creating five cities across the country modeled after Seoul."
Candidate Ahn Cheol-soo emphasized his background as a doctor and entrepreneur, stating, "To secure new growth engines, I will focus on nurturing AI, semiconductors, future mobility, bio, and the K-service industry as five major future industries, and through reforms in pensions, education, labor, healthcare, and the public sector, I will prepare for the future of the Republic of Korea."
Candidate Na Kyung-won stated, "If I become president, my first pledge will be to support the living stability of small business owners and self-employed individuals." She also pledged to grant the president the power to dissolve the National Assembly, abolish the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, and reform the National Election Commission, as well as eliminate the early voting system.
Candidate Yang Hyang-ja referred to herself as 'Yangdochi (Yang Hyang-ja + semiconductor)' and set forth pledges for the establishment of a Vice Minister of Science and Technology and nurturing five super corporations with a market capitalization of 100 trillion won within three years.
Candidate Lee Cheol-woo stated, "A president is someone who gets significant work done. This is not an academic conference," targeting other candidates who were listing policies. He presented a vision for national development involving institutional reforms through a responsible prime minister system and the introduction of a bicameral National Assembly, as well as decentralization and balanced development.
Dressed in a red knit, candidate Yoo Jeong-bok stated, "I will be a constitutional president who opens an era of national sovereignty" and added, "I will innovate to the extent of dismantling the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, along with introducing a major electoral district system, a bicameral system, and relocating the National Assembly and capital."