"Eye-Catching but Realistic?"... 'Random' Pledges Targeting Votes in the General Election

Delivery App Commission Issues Spark Everyone's Interest in 'Gonggong Delivery App'
GTX, Rail, and Tram Attraction Common Pledges but Questionable Feasibility
Government Focused on 'Money Distribution'... Concerns Over 'Malicious Populism' Raised

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Ahead of the April 15 general election, reckless promises aimed at begging for votes are being rampant. Not only are there promises with low feasibility such as attracting large-scale infrastructure and facilities, but also free public app pledges riding on the 'delivery app commission fee' issue are emerging like mushrooms across various regions. While hastily prepared 'gunbulttaegi' (kindling) style pledges are appearing, both the government and ruling and opposition parties are focusing on 'money giveaway' type measures such as disaster basic income.

According to political circles on the 8th, public delivery app pledges are continuously being made mainly by candidates from the Democratic Party of Korea and the Justice Party running in the general election. In the case of the Democratic Party, candidates such as Kim Seung-won (Suwon Gap), Baek Hye-ryun (Suwon Eul), Kim Young-jin (Suwon Byeong), Park Kwang-on (Suwon Jeong), Kim Jin-pyo (Suwon Mu), Ahn Min-seok (Osan City), Bok Ki-wang (Asan Gap), Kim Du-kwan (Gyeongnam Yangsan Eul), Kang Deuk-gu (Anyang Manan), and Oh Young-hwan (Uijeongbu Gap) have made delivery app pledges. The Justice Party also made a public free delivery app pledge at the party level, and the Minsheng Party’s Jo Hyung-cheol, candidate for Jeonju Si Eul, also made a public delivery app pledge.

The trigger was the acquisition of 'Baedal-ui Minjok' (Baemin) by Germany's 'Delivery Hero,' which operates its competitor Yogiyo, effectively monopolizing the domestic delivery app market. Their logic is that a public delivery app operated with no commission fees is necessary to reduce the burden of commission fees. However, free delivery apps have existed in the past. 'Ditok,' launched by the Korea Delivery Food Association in 2014, operated by charging only a monthly fee of 15,000 won but failed due to lack of users. The public delivery app pledges that have mushroomed are likely to follow the same path.

'Scattergun' pledges are also being mass-produced. A representative example is the promise to extend subway and railway lines, including the metropolitan area express railway (GTX), to their neighborhoods. Candidates near the already confirmed GTX A, B, and C lines have pledged extensions or new branch lines, while candidates in areas where the GTX-D line has not yet been confirmed have pledged to bring the line closer to their regions. A laughable incident occurred where the line was divided by region rather than party. Candidates for Seo-gu Gap in Incheon from all parties pledged a line from Gangnam to Cheongna International City, while Seo-gu Eul candidates pledged a line passing through Geomdan New Town. The 'tram (streetcar),' which is gaining attention as an eco-friendly transportation means, is also a staple election pledge in various regions. Tram installation pledges appear every election, but none have been realized. The Wirye tram has also been stalled for over 10 years.

There are also pledges to attract Samsung Electronics-related facilities by 'Samsung alumni.' Yang Hyang-ja, a Democratic Party candidate (Gwangju Seo-gu Eul) and former Samsung Electronics executive, pledged to attract Samsung Electronics' automotive parts business. Yang made the same pledge when running in this area four years ago. Hong Jong-gi, a Future United Party candidate (Gyeonggi Suwon Jeong) and former Samsung Electronics lawyer, pledged to attract the Suwon Samsung High School and Samsung-linked startup center, while Park Joo-won, a Future United Party candidate (Ansan Sangnok Gap), pledged to attract a Samsung Electronics non-memory semiconductor complex. It is questionable whether Samsung Electronics’ intentions have been reflected in these pledges.

As the general election approaches, 'gunbulttaegi-style policies' aimed at winning votes have also emerged, mainly from the ruling party. On the 5th, Lee Nak-yeon, co-chairman of the Democratic Party’s joint election committee, hinted at reviewing the easing of comprehensive real estate tax for one-household one-homeowners during a campaign in Jongno, Seoul, when meeting reporters. This was in response to demands from candidates in Gangnam, Seoul, and some areas in Gyeonggi Province, but it has a high potential for controversy as it overturns existing real estate policies. On the 6th, Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan also made a pledge conscious of local votes at the Democratic Party Busan branch election committee meeting, saying, "We will implement 'Public Institution Relocation Season 2' to relocate public institutions in agreement with local areas as soon as the general election ends."

Populism controversies are also being raised as both ruling and opposition parties propose 'money giveaway' pledges under the pretext of overcoming the economic impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Despite the national debt ratio exceeding 40% this year, both major parties have not escaped the temptation of cash handouts ahead of the election. Professor Sung Tae-yoon of Yonsei University’s Department of Economics pointed out, "Supporting groups affected by COVID-19 or vulnerable low-income groups is meaningful and effective, but providing payments to all citizens is not very effective relative to the required resources," adding, "Issues of fiscal soundness and crowding out of private sector funds may negatively affect the economy." Future United Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min also criticized the emergency disaster relief fund as 'malignant populism,' saying, "The Future United Party, which claims to be a party that should block such policies and uphold sound conservatism, has blindly followed along."