Candidates prioritize economic growth as key campaign pledge

Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung raises both his hands to greet his supporters during his campaign's kick-off ceremony at Cheonggye Plaza in central Seoul, Monday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Presidential candidates from almost all parties, regardless of their political inclinations, have vowed to improve the economy and find the country's new growth engines as the official 22-day campaign period began, Monday.

They also called for national unity in response to serious national divisions between political parties, especially following the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Lee Jae-myung, presidential candidate of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), started his electioneering at Cheonggye Plaza in central Seoul, Monday, to highlight the party's concept of a “plaza-style campaign” aimed at engaging directly with the public.

Later in the day, he moved to Gyeonggi Province where he made stops at Pangyo in Suwon and Dongtan in Hwaseong, before finishing the day in Daejeon, centering his message on the theme of “K-Science and Technology.” This initial campaign route reflects his strategy of gathering support by showcasing his vision for an innovation-driven economy.

These locations align with one of Lee’s core presidential pledges: to cultivate cutting-edge industries — including artificial intelligence (AI) — and position Korea as a global economic leader.

Supporters of Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung hold placards with his face on them as they attend the opening event of his campaign at Cheonggye Plaza in central Seoul, Monday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Lee's main pledges include developing new industries such as AI, national integration, restoring democracy, supporting households and small businesses and stimulating vitality.

Lee asserted that this election is a confrontation with entrenched vested interests that have pushed the nation to the brink and threatened the constitutional order and the livelihoods of its citizens through an attempted insurrection.

“We no longer have the time to be trapped in the past or divided by ideology, doctrine or political camps,” Lee emphasized. “From now on, there are no liberal issues or conservative issues — only issues concerning the Republic of Korea.”

Kim Moon-soo, center, presidential candidate of the People Power Party, poses during his visit to Garak Market in eastern Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

Kim Moon-soo, candidate of the conservative People Power Party, launched his campaign at dawn with a visit to Garak Market in southeastern Seoul.

Kim said he chose the traditional market as his first campaign stop to highlight the economic struggles of small business owners and the self-employed. He pointed to signs of a deepening structural downturn in Korea’s economy and vowed to prioritize everyday people's livelihoods if elected.

“I believe I must become a market president, a livelihood president, an economic president — a leader who ensures the people of Korea can live well,” Kim said.

Kim’s visit to Garak Market aligned with his top 10 campaign pledges, centered on making Korea a “business-friendly country” and promoting job creation. The PPP candidate's other pledges include improving the investment environment through business-friendly policies, advancing Korea as a global leader in AI and energy and supporting young people working in those areas.

Kim Moon-soo, center, presidential candidate of the People Power Party, holds hands with key campaign officials during the opening ceremony for his campaign at the party’s headquarters in Seoul, Monday. Joint Press Corps

Following the market visit, Kim traveled to Daejeon National Cemetery to pay tribute to those killed in the 2002 Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, the 2010 Yeonpyeong Island shelling and the 46 sailors lost in the 2010 sinking of the Cheonan warship.

Expressing confidence in his campaign’s momentum, Kim said he believes he can close the gap with his rival, Lee of the DPK. "Presidential elections are highly dynamic," he said. "Politics isn’t simple arithmetic — it’s a dramatic endeavor powered by the immense energy of public sentiment.”

Reform Party presidential candidate Lee Jun-seok speaks during his visit to the Yeosu National Industrial Complex in South Jeolla Province, Monday. Courtesy of Reform Party

The minor conservative Reform Party's candidate Lee Jun-seok began his campaign at the Yeosu National Industrial Complex in South Jeolla Province.

Lee explained that he selected the site as his first campaign stop to underscore his commitment to revitalizing Korea’s second-generation industrial hubs, which he described as instrumental in driving the nation's export-led growth.

Citing his background in science and engineering and his global perspective, Lee positioned himself as a candidate capable of presenting forward-looking solutions for industrial renewal.

“I promise a vision to lead the global competition in trade and science and technology,” Lee said. “The next president must possess diplomatic acumen and a firm grasp of trade, as well as a comprehensive understanding of the entire industrial landscape.”

Reform Party presidential candidate Lee Jun-seok shakes hands with a student during his visit to Yonsei University in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

Lee also emphasizes a “small government” approach, vowing to streamline government ministries, reduce the number of ministries and abolish the unification and gender equality ministries.

Lee also pledged to prioritize a “reshoring” policy aimed at bringing overseas companies back to Korea by relocating them to major national industrial complexes in the country’s “Rust Belt” regions, such as Ulsan, Yeosu, Changwon and Gumi.