Yoon and Lee's 'Identical' Pledges Again... Lee Jae-myung: "GTX Line Expansion, 1st Generation New Town Reconstruction Easing" (Comprehensive)

Introducing 'GTX Plus'
30-Minute Living Zone in the Seoul Metropolitan Area
Bundang, Sanbon, Ilsan, Jungdong, Pyeongchon
First-Generation New Town Reconstruction Eased
Similar to Yoon Seok-yeol's Pledge
Experts Say "Close Contest
Convergence of Campaign Promises"

[Asia Economy Reporters Chae-eun Koo and Jin-young Jeon] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, pledged on the 24th to establish a ‘30-minute living zone in the metropolitan area’ by adding new lines to the Great Train Express (GTX) network. He plans to create new GTX lines connecting Incheon, Seoul, and Pocheon, as well as Paju, Seoul, and Icheon. Alongside this, he also announced plans to ease redevelopment regulations in first-generation new towns such as Bundang. However, he did not disclose specific funding plans, and since the promise closely mirrors the GTX line extension pledge announced by People Power Party candidate Yoon Seok-youl during his visit to Gyeonggi Province on the 12th, it is expected to face criticism for ‘copying pledges.’

On the 24th, at the Poeun Art Hall in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Lee revealed the Gyeonggi Province pledge, stating, "We will promote a transportation revolution that connects the entire metropolitan area into an average 30-minute living zone, significantly increasing proximity between workplaces and residences for Gyeonggi residents."

Lee Jae-myung: "Add new GTX lines and ease redevelopment regulations in first-generation new towns"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee displayed a GTX map and explained, "GTX-D will be normalized to cover the Gimpo?Bucheon?Gangnam?Hanam section as originally proposed by Gyeonggi Province, extending beyond the current government’s Gimpo?Bucheon segment." He also announced plans to promote GTX-E, connecting Incheon?Siheung?Gwangmyeong New Town?Seoul?Guri?Pocheon, and GTX-F, linking Paju?Samsong?Seoul?Wirye?Gwangju?Icheon?Yeoju. Additionally, he promised to support the connection of the Western and Southern lines, extend subway lines 5 to 9, and actively support the early opening of the entire Gyeonggi Second Ring Expressway. Lee stated, "We will further promote GTX lines in areas where local residents request and demand them to support the formation of a 30-minute living zone in the metropolitan area."

Lee pledged to create a special law for first-generation new towns such as Bundang, Sanbon, Ilsan, Jungdong, and Pyeongchon, and to ease regulations including reconstruction and redevelopment safety inspection standards and remodeling safety review criteria. This pledge aims to appeal to local public sentiment seeking improved residential environments as the housing in these first-generation new towns ages; these areas have a combined population of about 300,000. Lee plans to apply a type 4 general residential zone allowing a floor area ratio of up to 500% and provide incentives such as zoning upgrades to revitalize redevelopment. He said, "We will expedite permits to reduce time and costs," adding, "Remodeling will increase project feasibility through increased household numbers and vertical extensions."

Similarities with Yoon Seok-youl’s pledge for "30-minute era, first-generation new town development"

Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, is announcing Gyeonggi Province policy pledges at Poeun Art Hall in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province on the 24th. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

Lee’s Gyeonggi Province pledge is largely similar to the one announced by Yoon in mid-month, leading to criticism that the pledges are essentially exchanged copies. Earlier, on the 12th, at the launch ceremony of the election campaign committee held at KINTEX Exhibition Center in Ilsan, Yoon pledged to open a 30-minute era to downtown Seoul by establishing GTX-D, E, and F lines. He also promised to swiftly promote reconstruction and remodeling in first-generation new towns and to develop a 4th industrial advanced business complex to dramatically advance Gyeonggi Province.

Because the target voter base is similar, the pledge contents are alike, resulting in a lack of policy differentiation. There is also criticism that housing and railway investments may further concentrate population in the metropolitan area, which conflicts with the ruling party’s regional balanced development policy. Lee seemed aware of such criticism, stating, "I want to emphasize that we will achieve balanced development by strengthening investment in local areas, not by intensifying metropolitan area suffering," and explained, "I believe infrastructure investment aimed at additional population inflow into the metropolitan area should be restrained, but we cannot leave the suffering of many residents already living there unattended."

Experts: "Convergence of pledges through right and left shifts
Indicates centrism and lack of trademark policies"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said, "As the election nears, progressive candidates tend to shift right, and conservative candidates shift left, leading to convergence of pledges," adding, "In close races, the lack of policy differentiation becomes more pronounced." Professor Shin Yul of Myongji University interpreted, "This is because candidates avoid ideological pledges to target centrists, which also means they lack trademark policies that reveal their identities." Professor Park Sang-byeong of Inha University said, "When election campaigns focus on policies, urgent issues tend to be similar, causing this phenomenon," and added, "It is a tit-for-tat strategy, but voters should carefully assess the feasibility of these policies."

Lee divided Gyeonggi Province into east, west, south, and north regions and presented detailed regional pledges accordingly. In the southern region, he promised to develop four techno valleys into a ‘global advanced industry hub belt.’ In the northern region, he plans to enact the Peace Economy Special Zone Act to create a model for inter-Korean economic cooperation and develop the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) into an ecological peace zone to boost tourism. In the eastern region, he pledged to improve location regulations, build a metropolitan transportation network, and create cultural and tourism hubs. In the western region, he promised to establish eco-friendly ecological parks. Lee said, "Gyeonggi Province is the economic center of South Korea and a microcosm representing one-fourth of the national population. Lee Jae-myung, who knows Gyeonggi better than anyone, will surely achieve a great transformation of Gyeonggi Province."