Presidential Candidates' Diverse Christmas Activities... Lee Advocates 'Conscription System', Yoon Supports 'Accompanying the Vulnerable'

With Religious Community Visit Event Alongside Salvation Army and Bungeoppang Vendors

[Asia Economy Reporters Jeon Jinyoung and Park Juni] Ahead of Christmas, presidential candidates are engaging with the religious community while showcasing their own distinctive policy approaches. Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, expressed confidence through his ‘policy’ stance, while Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party candidate, emphasized ‘walking with the vulnerable.’ Various messages also emerged, including calls for the enactment of anti-discrimination laws and political satire.

On the afternoon of the 24th, Lee will announce a pledge for a ‘selective recruitment system.’ This system allows conscripts to choose between serving as enlisted soldiers in combat roles with lower combat proficiency or as combat non-commissioned officers performing specialized duties for a short period. Considering the COVID-19 situation, the Christmas event was prepared as a video message. The Democratic Party will release a carol video featuring Lee and his spouse Kim Hye-kyung that afternoon. Since Lee has emphasized that he is a Christian, he is also expected to attend Christmas worship services.

On the same day, Yoon will visit the Orphan Rights Solidarity in Guro-gu, Seoul, to participate in volunteer activities. Orphan Rights Solidarity is an organization supporting protected children and those who have left care facilities. This is interpreted as part of Yoon’s emphasis on ‘walking with the vulnerable,’ which he has highlighted since launching his election campaign committee. Around midnight, he will attend the Christmas Mass at Myeongdong Cathedral to convey a message of ‘harmony and unity.’ On Christmas Day, the 25th, he will also participate in child welfare-related events.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Ahn Cheol-soo, the People’s Party presidential candidate, also lent support to the vulnerable and religious communities. Staying in Busan for the second day, Ahn will participate in a lunch meal distribution volunteer activity with the Salvation Army in Busan that afternoon. On Christmas morning, he plans to attend a worship service at a local church in Busan.

Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, continues to advocate for the anti-discrimination law. Recently, she has visited the Korea Christian Federation, Won Buddhism, and Jogye Order to urge the enactment of the bill, engaging in persuasion efforts within the religious community. That afternoon, she will hold an ‘Equality Friday Cultural Festival’ for the enactment of the anti-discrimination law at a sit-in site in front of the National Assembly. At midnight, she will attend the Christmas Mass at Myeongdong Cathedral.

Kim Dong-yeon, leader of the New Wave and a third-party candidate, prepared a unique event for Christmas. To satirize the two-party politics and increase engagement with citizens, he plans to sell bungeoppang (fish-shaped pastry) directly in front of the National Assembly. Earlier, Kim criticized the established parties by saying, “No matter how good the flour and ingredients are, bungeoppang comes out of the bungeoppang mold,” adding, “I will change the mold itself.” After attending church worship on Christmas morning, he plans to visit a jjokbangchon (small-room village for the underprivileged).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.