Presidential candidates moved to win voters ahead of the December polls by stressing national unity, job creation and the need to push forward broad social and economic reforms, political watchers said Tuesday.
On a visit to the April 19 National Cemetery in Seoul, the ruling Saenuri Party's presidential hopeful Park Geun-hye paid respects to all those who died to bring an end to President Rhee Syngman's autocratic rule in 1960, and the graves of people credited with helping Korea gain independence from Japanese colonial rule (1910-1945).
"National unity and reconciliation is something that has never been achieved by any past administrations and is something that must be resolved now if the country is to move forward," she told reporters. She lamented that while politicians claim they want to strive for unity, many seem more interested in seeking division and discord.
The remarks by the 60-year-old daughter of late President Park Chung-hee is viewed as a sign that she is committed to mending fences with those that pushed forward the country's democracy movement and clashed with past authoritarian leaders. Korea's pro-democracy groups had opposed President Park's authoritarian rule, and many in the liberal camp still remain critical about the Saenuri candidate's bid for the country's top elected office.
Earlier in the day Park spoke at the 11th World Korean Business Convention and the Asia Future Forum and applauded businessmen for helping the country's economic growth, while pledging to root out inequalities in society that have sapped national unity.
"The time when national growth (automatically) leads to the happiness of the people has long passed with importance on helping individuals realize their personal dreams taking on greater priority," she said.
Park claimed that what is needed now is a leadership that can seek unity across the board in order to ensure sustainable growth.
The main opposition Democratic United Party's (DUP) candidate Moon Jae-in attended the first in-house committee to create new jobs and change the labor market.
Moon has repeatedly said he wants to become a president focused on creating more jobs.
As part of his resolve, the human rights lawyer-turned-politician said he will chair the election camp's job creation committee in the future.
The DUP candidate has said that the purpose of the committee is not only to create more job opportunities, but transform "bad" jobs into "good" jobs.
Moon also called for changes to laws governing bankruptcy and the interest limitation act to help reduce household debt and deal with unfair practices by local money lenders.
The candidate said that if he wins the upcoming presidential race, the new government will revise the country's credit business act so the maximum annual interest rate limit will be lowered 14 percentage points from 39 percent of the principal to 25 percent.
The opposition candidate stressed the importance of conducting social network service-based broadcasting to reach out to the younger generation.
Independent contender Ahn Cheol-soo, meanwhile, called for giving incentives to companies who fulfill their social obligations and take steps to improve the environment, labor relations, and ownership structures.
"South Korea is facing a multitude challenges that can only be overcome by listening to the views of ordinary people, policymakers and various experts," Ahn said.
As part of his "openness" approach, the candidate met with office workers in their 30s and 40s over lunch to listen to their concerns, and discuss ways to make things better socially and at the individual workplaces.
He warned that the country could face tough challenges ahead, but if the people pool their resources, such obstacles can be overcome.
Ahn said if he wins the Dec. 19 polls, he will become a president who will not be afraid to make necessary changes.
Related to Ahn's campaign trail, close aides renewed calls that the economic policymakers of the three leading presidential contenders, to meet and touch on ways to move forward political reforms and economic democracy.
Ahn, the founder of AhnLab, South Korea's largest anti-virus software firm, in addition intensified his efforts to reach out to young voters through SNS.
The 50-year-old entrepreneur turned politician is popular with young people for his clean image and calls for sweeping reforms.
(Yonhap)