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.
Parties look to populism ahead of April
By Kang Hyun-kyung
The ruling and opposition parties are leaning toward populist campaign pledges by unveiling a set of spending-oriented policies as the National Assembly elections slated for April 11 approach.
Rep. Nam Kyung-phil of the Saenuri Party proposed Sunday income hikes for soldiers. The lawmaker called on the ruling party to promise monthly payments of up to 500,000 won for soldiers, five times higher than the current level of 100,000 won.
During a press meeting, Nam described the plan for military personnel as investments in their future when they return to school or the workplace once mandatory military service is finished.
“Soldiers will spend part of the money for living expenses and will be able to save some money. The savings will make it easier for them to prepare for their future after military service,” he said.
He also proposed free breakfasts for all students attending primary and secondary schools, saying he would recommend the Saenuri Party to include these ideas in its campaign pledges.
Earlier, the ruling party opposed free school lunches for all students, calling it a populist idea.
The main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) also proposed a pork-barrel project to help low-income families.
The DUP plans include a project to provide affordable housing for 100,000 working-class families in its campaign pledges ahead of the April elections.
Under the public housing plan, 70,000 homes will be newly built while the government will purchase 30,000 existing houses from owners to relieve low-income families’ housing problems.