People Power Party Targets 'Youth Vote'... "Student Loan Package Support"

The People Power Party has unveiled a 'package support plan' targeting the youth. Since its launch, the Kim Ki-hyun leadership has been taking steps to capture the votes of the youth, considered the 'casting vote' for next year's general election.

On the morning of the 23rd, Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, held a 'University Student Package Support Announcement Showcase' at a performance hall near Hongik University and announced comprehensive policies for the younger generation, including exemption from student loan interest.

Leader Kim introduced the 'student loan package support' plan, which includes exemption from student loan interest for university students with household income below 100% of the median income, expansion of national scholarships and work-study scholarships, and an increase in the limit for low-interest living expense loans. He explained, "More than one million people will receive additional benefits totaling approximately 188.2 billion won."

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is announcing support plans for a university student package at the 'Problem Solver! Kim Ki-hyun Goes - End of Term PT' held at H-Stage in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

He added, "When our party tried to expand and support the student loan system, the opposition suddenly and unilaterally passed a law. The content is a 'giveaway without conditions.' They might have thought it would help with votes, but it is a very sloppy and unfair system." He explained, "(Our party's plan) is not a method of giving away money indiscriminately regardless of income level, but rather to increase support for those in immediate need starting from their time in school."

The People Power Party leadership has continued its efforts to appeal to the youth since taking office. On March 28, they visited Kyung Hee University, had '1,000 won breakfast' with students, and announced plans to expand this program nationwide. They also launched the Youth Policy Network, a youth organization directly under the party leader, and proposed extending the validity period of TOEIC scores from the current two years to five years.

Shortly after the recent negotiation group leaders' speech, Kim also visited soldiers in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province. At this event, he announced plans to replace all unit water purifiers with ice water purifiers and to ensure that participation in reserve forces training does not negatively affect university attendance records.

This 'youth heart (Cheongshim)' strategy is interpreted as a move to boost youth support ahead of next year's general election. The People Power Party, which lost a majority of seats to the Democratic Party in the 21st general election, is credited with high youth support as a key factor behind its consecutive victories in the presidential and local elections. However, youth support has declined over time since the presidential election. According to Gallup polls, the People Power Party's support among people in their 20s was 34% in March 2022, when the presidential election took place, but dropped to 16% in the third week of this month.

The People Power Party's 'Cheongshim betting' seems to be gradually moving the support rate. According to the National Barometer Survey (NBS) conducted from the 19th to the 21st by Embrain Public, K-Stat Research, Korea Research, and Hankook Research, surveying 1,001 adults nationwide (for detailed information, refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website), the People Power Party's support rate among people in their 20s rose to 27%, up from 20% two weeks earlier. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party's support rate among people in their 20s fell from 19% to 17% during the same period.

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