Ruling and Opposition Parties Announce Top 10 Election Pledges: Democratic Party Focuses on 'Balanced Growth,' People Power Party on 'Housing Stability'

Election Commission Unveils Policy Pledges of Participating Parties

Rebuilding Korea Party Pledges "A Safe Home for 99 Years"

As the nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3 approach, both the ruling and opposition parties have announced their top 10 campaign pledges. The Democratic Party of Korea has put forward "balanced regional development" as its number one pledge, while the People Power Party has prioritized "housing stability."

Starting from May 11, the National Election Commission will release the top 10 policy pledges of political parties participating in the local elections. The Democratic Party has focused on local autonomy and balanced growth, aiming to fulfill the "5 Poles 3 Special Zones" strategy emphasized by the Lee Jaemyung administration. Its first pledge is to establish administrative, financial, and institutional foundations for balanced development; the second is to foster key local industries and expand local living infrastructure. The construction of the Sejong presidential office and the National Assembly Sejong Building within President Lee Jaemyung's term is also included. Other major pledges include "national normalization and peace on the Korean Peninsula," which covers completing prosecutorial reform and constitutional amendments.

The People Power Party has chosen real estate as its top priority pledge. Through "realizing basic rights via housing stability," it aims to introduce "half-price jeonse" (long-term deposit leases) in Seoul and the metropolitan area and expand income tax deductions for monthly rent. The second pledge is "a great economic leap through deregulation and new industry growth," which includes introducing a Korean version of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Other pledges focusing on improving livelihoods include "guaranteeing a better future for youth by restoring the opportunity ladder" (third pledge), and "increasing real income and supporting asset building for office workers" (fourth pledge).

The Rebuilding Korea Party has made "a safe home for 99 years of one’s life" its top pledge, planning to supply high-quality public rental apartment complexes at key locations nationwide. The Progressive Party announced the public management of regional public services and the realization of a local circular economy as its main pledges, including the public operation of buses, the establishment of local public banks, and the implementation of integrated local public care. The Reform Party’s number one pledge is "a growth economy that reduces regulation and fosters innovation," which includes granting regulatory sandbox approval authority to local governments.