Similar Election Pledge and Promotion Methods Among Presidential Candidates... "No Sense of Differentiation, Strong Populism"

More than 15 Similar Pledges Between Lee and Yoon Candidates
Pledge Promotion Methods Also Similar with 'Sohwakhaeng' and 'Simkung'... Resembling One-Line Pledge Offensive Too

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] As the approval ratings of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, and Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party presidential candidate, are neck and neck, they are presenting similar pledges regardless of partisan logic. The way they promote their pledges is also similar, making it difficult for voters to perceive clear distinctions, and there are criticisms that the pledges have a strong populist nature.

According to political circles on the 1st, more than 15 similar pledges announced by candidate Lee and candidate Yoon include raising the floor area ratio for real estate, increasing soldiers' monthly pay, raising the virtual asset taxation threshold to 50 million won, undergrounding the Gyeongin Line and Gyeongin Expressway, and disclosure of probability-type item information.

The most notable pledges are related to real estate. In particular, both candidates pledged to raise the floor area ratio up to 500% to alleviate the housing shortage in urban areas. According to the Framework Act on National Land Planning and Utilization, residential areas where apartments and other housing can be built are divided into types 1 to 3 and semi-residential areas. Type 1 general residential areas have a floor area ratio of 100-200%, type 2 residential areas 100-250%, type 3 residential areas 100-300%, and semi-residential areas, where some commercial facilities are allowed, have a floor area ratio set by local governments' ordinances within the range of 200-500%. Candidate Lee proposed establishing a type 4 residential area allowing a maximum floor area ratio of 500%, while candidate Yoon pledged to raise the floor area ratio up to 500% for private reconstruction apartments in station areas to secure 100,000 housing units.

Additionally, both promised to raise soldiers' monthly pay to 2 million won, matching the minimum wage, if elected president. Candidate Lee stated on January 22, ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, "I will raise soldiers' monthly pay to at least 2 million won, the minimum wage level, during my term to help them build a foundation for social advancement after discharge." On January 28, at a meeting with soldiers of the 2nd Marine Division, candidate Lee promised the 2 million won monthly pay pledge and also to implement a military service seniority recognition system. Candidate Yoon had earlier posted on his social media on January 9, stating "Soldiers' monthly pay 2 million won."

The methods of promoting pledges are also becoming increasingly similar. Candidate Lee and candidate Yoon each announce one pledge per day on social issues under the titles 'Small but Certain Happiness (So-hwak-haeng)' and 'Seok-youl's Heart-throbbing Promises,' respectively. During the Lunar New Year holiday, candidate Lee announced small but certain happiness pledges related to daily life, such as "1,000 won ferry for island residents (55th pledge)," "Installation of solar shade shelters at highway drowsiness rest areas (58th pledge)," and "Strengthening standards for managing noise between floors (59th pledge)." Candidate Yoon is doing similarly, with heart-throbbing promises like "Reducing garbage output and increasing recycling rates" (26th pledge) and "Building senior-friendly health infrastructure" (27th pledge).

Moreover, as candidate Yoon's one-line pledges announced via social media attracted voters' attention, candidate Lee also began posting one-line pledges on social media. When candidate Yoon posted "Abolish capital gains tax on stocks" as a one-line pledge on January 28, candidate Lee responded with "Oppose tax cuts for the wealthy." Unlike some criticism from the ruling party about candidate Yoon's one-line pledges, there is an evaluation that this is an intuitive and efficient way to communicate pledges, which is why candidate Lee is also utilizing this method.

While they have succeeded in attracting attention through various media to promote their pledges, there is a coexistence of negative evaluations that, compared to their striking pledge promotions, the methods to implement the pledges are not disclosed, making it seem like mere popularity contests. Political commentator Park Sang-byeong pointed out regarding the similar pledges of the ruling and opposition candidates, "It is not unusual for presidential candidates to present similar pledges as they align with public interests. However, the problem lies in the lack of proper review of implementation methods and alternatives, leading to reckless pledges aimed at gaining popularity."

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