[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] On the occasion of Seollal, the last major holiday before the April 15 general election, both ruling and opposition parties appealed for support, pledging to engage in politics that gives hope to the people.
First, the ruling party, the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized 'economic vitality' while promising tangible achievements in inter-Korean relations. On the 24th, the Democratic Party issued a statement under the name of spokesperson Lee Hae-sik, saying, "Signs of hope are appearing in our economy in the new year," and "The Democratic Party will not miss the opportunity at this critical crossroads between rebound and stagnation, and will spare no effort to enable South Korea's economy to make a new leap forward."
It added, "Furthermore, to ensure the 20th National Assembly successfully completes its remaining tasks, both ruling and opposition parties will make every effort to complete reform legislation such as police legislation for judicial reform and checks and balances on power institutions, as well as livelihood legislation that will change the lives of the people."
It continued, "We will also continue efforts to promote bold and harmonious inter-Korean exchanges and to ensure that the Korean Peninsula peace process leads to tangible results of peace and prosperity," and "Throughout this year, we promise the people that we will listen carefully to their voices with a humble attitude and be a reliable ruling party supported by policies."
On the other hand, the main opposition party, the Liberty Korea Party, criticized the Moon Jae-in administration's failures and emphasized 'innovation and unity' within the conservative camp as a way to overcome them.
Kim Seong-won, spokesperson for the Liberty Korea Party, said in a statement on the 25th, "Seollal, a holiday that should be filled with warmth and joy, is a time when we cannot just smile in today's South Korea," and "We will resolutely fight against the tyranny of the Moon Jae-in regime. We will surely achieve true innovation and inspiring unity."
He criticized, "Amid escalating military conflicts between the U.S. and Iran, North Korea continues to threaten with military provocations and verbal abuse against South Korea almost daily," and "Yet this administration remains solely focused on North Korea."
He pointed out, "We have accepted the worst-ever growth rate of 2% that was forcibly fabricated, and ordinary people are crying out that it is hard to make a living due to lack of jobs," and "Yet this administration remains immersed in its own rosy illusions."
He added, "The Liberty Korea Party will stop this. We will become a proud, capable conservative party that protects South Korea," and "We ask the people to join us on this path."
On the same day, the Bareunmirae Party stated, "We promise to take the lead in pragmatic reform politics in the new year." Choi Do-ja, chief spokesperson for the Bareunmirae Party, said in a statement, "Through new centrist, pragmatic, and reformist politics, we will lead political change that gives hope to the people."
Choi emphasized, "Last year, the political sphere made our people suffer through extreme confrontation. The extreme politics of the two major parties neglected livelihoods and the economy and only deepened social conflicts," adding, "It is time for change."
The Alternative Party stressed third-way integration in its Seollal message. On the 25th, Choi Kyung-hwan, leader of the Alternative Party, said, "The Alternative Party was founded with the banner of reform and unity to end the power struggle politics of the vested two major parties that are ruining livelihoods and the economy and to develop a multi-party consensus democracy," and "Fortunately, there is growing consensus recently on the integration of the third political force."
Choi said, "I expect the door to centrist reform integration to open wide right after the Seollal holiday, and I will devote everything to this cause," adding, "Through tangible results, we will bring change and hope to the people."
Park Joo-hyun, chief spokesperson for the Party for Democracy and Peace, also said on the same day, "In the worst economic situation, the government and ruling party that should correct this and the main opposition party are still focused only on confrontation and political strife amid public opinion divided by the Cho Kuk scandal," and "The Peace Party will devote everything to livelihood politics for the majority of the people and to creating a livable society where people can make a living no matter what."
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