I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
GNP seeks to expand free education
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Politicians appear to be willing to promise anything to keep voters loyal to their affiliated party with the National Assembly and presidential elections slated for next year.
The flurry of populist visions has drawn criticism with people chastising politicians for making promises they cannot keep.
The ruling Grand National Party (GNP) said Sunday that senior lawmakers will discuss ways to finance free care for children under five years old in a meeting with finance ministry officials to be held on Tuesday.
The free childcare plan was announced about a month after the Prime Minister’s Office vowed to allow all children free pre-school education a year before they go to elementary school.
Most children go to elementary school at age eight, but some go at seven. Those who enter primary school at eight will be eligible for a free pre-school program at seven. Those who go to school at seven will be eligible when they are six.
Under the scheme, all families having children in that age group are entitled to receive 300,000 won per month for childcare from 2016.
The ruling party plans to scale up free childcare by allowing households with children to receive subsidies two to three years before they go to school.
Senior GNP lawmakers will address the issue at a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance to be held Tuesday.
If adopted, this will require the government to find money for childcare and early education.
Industry experts estimate 1 trillion won is required to provide free pre-school education for 400,000 children.
Other populist ideas have recently erupted in the political arena.
Opposition parties, including the Democratic Party (DP), joined rallies for halving college tuition which were led by students, in collaboration with activists.
The DP pledged to approve a bill to cut tuition dramatically in the National Assembly no later than the end of June.
Earlier, GNP floor leader Hwang Woo-yea made a similar pledge, but met with opposition from Cheong Wa Dae. The government maintains that halving college tuition is unfeasible, citing budgetary constraints.
The mayor of Seoul Oh Se-hoon criticized politicians for producing such populist policies.
In an interview with Yonhap, Sunday, Oh said the GNP and the DP promises would require the government to spend a lot of taxpayers’ money.
“If the government expands welfare programs, taxpayers will be asked to pay more taxes. The increased tax burden will end up hurting working-class citizens,” Oh said.
The mayor, who is reportedly seeking a presidential bid, said the government should let the public know about the truth of the vicious circle of populist policies and increased taxes.