Hong Joon-pyo, a presidential candidate for the People Power Party, noted on the 21st that he would not engage in 'populist-style cash giveaways' and added, 'As the economy grows, we will establish a sustainable welfare system through proportional welfare based on growth.'
Regarding his previous criticism of rival candidate Han Dong-hoon's elevated shoes and corrective undergarments, he explained, 'As a senior politician, I conveyed that someone who just entered politics and becomes preoccupied with image politics cannot last long.'
Kwon Young-se, chairman of the People Power Party's emergency response committee, stated, 'We will reopen the doors of the People Power Party wide again. We will not dwell on the past for those who temporarily left the party or those who have been affiliated with other parties. During the presidential election, even a weightlifter's stick is necessary. Everyone should come back in. I hope Han Duck-soo will quickly resign and join the party.'
On this day, the candidate Hong announced policies in the welfare sector at the election office in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
Hong appeared to target rival candidate Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, stating, 'Regional currency or the distribution of 300,000 won or 500,000 won annually is not sustainable, so I will not engage in it.'
He also mentioned that he would set an appropriate welfare ratio in proportion to the gross domestic product (GDP) through national consensus to ensure that the burden does not fall on future generations. He pledged, 'I will focus on supporting those in difficult circumstances so that they can become economically self-reliant.'
Regarding the recent controversy surrounding pension reform, he emphasized, 'Immediately upon taking office, I will establish a Pension Reform Promotion Team and I will ensure that the burden does not transfer to future generations.'
Hong stated that the recent agreement between the ruling and opposition parties on reforming the National Pension system (raising the contribution rate from the current 9% to 13% and adjusting the income replacement rate to 43% starting next year) is just the beginning and vowed to establish a 'three-tier pension structure' composed of public pension, corporations, and personal pensions.
In response to calls for increasing the operational revenue to prevent fund depletion, he emphasized, 'The National Pension Service also needs reform. If I become president, I will completely replace those managing the funds.'
He emphasized expanding zero-priority allocation of dwellings so that newlywed couples can safely give birth and raise children, with the aim of encouraging marriage and childbirth.
He explained that he plans to raise the elderly age from 65 to 70 and extend the retirement age, enabling seniors to participate in the labor market longer and fulfill a social role.
Regarding Han Dong-hoon, he continued to make sharp statements from the previous day. Hong said, 'The only person who has succeeded with image politics is Oh Se-hoon, the mayor of Seoul.' He added, 'While Oh entered through image politics, he has studied a lot and is well-prepared. If one becomes too focused on image politics, it will be exposed soon.'
Meanwhile, regarding the party leadership's consideration of completely transferring the National Assembly to Sejong as well as moving the presidential office, he remarked, 'There was no communication with the camp at all,' and expressed that he believes it is right to have a bicameral National Assembly, with the lower house closely linked to ministries in Sejong and the upper house, which oversees national issues, located in Seoul.