Lee Jae-myung Announces Lunar New Year Customized Pledges
Twice a Year for Returnees, Five Times a Month for Residents
1,000 Won Ferry Ticket Provided
Visits Marine Corps to Woo Young Men
[Asia Economy Reporters Koo Chae-eun and Lee Ki-min] On the 28th, Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, promised that visitors returning to their island hometowns during the holiday period would be able to use the ‘1000 won passenger ferry’ twice a year. This is the so-called ‘Island Residents 1000 Won Passenger Ferry’ pledge. On the eve of the Lunar New Year holiday, this is part of a so-called ‘micro policy announcement’ strategy aimed at immediately garnering support from voters on their way home with a highly relatable pledge.
On the 28th, Lee announced on social media (SNS) his 55th ‘small but certain happiness (So-hwak-haeng)’ pledge, stating that visitors returning to their island hometowns during the holiday period would be able to use the ‘1000 won passenger ferry’ twice a year. He also stated that he would promote comfortable homecoming and island tourism. Along with this, he announced that he would provide the ‘Island Residents 1000 Won Passenger Ferry’ service five times a month to allow island residents to ride passenger ferries for 1000 won. The purpose is to guarantee the basic transportation rights of residents living on islands and to alleviate the burden of transportation fees.
Lee said, “Islands are natural resources with unique value and our nation’s territory,” adding, “Although island residents play a role in protecting maritime territory, they do not enjoy the basic transportation rights that all citizens should have simply because they are separated from the mainland.” He emphasized, “I hope that the 1000 won passenger ferry will guarantee island residents’ basic rights to use public transportation and somewhat ease their inconveniences.”
Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, attended the 'Maetaverse Goyang, Into the Hearts of the People!' event held on the 26th at Hwajeong Station Cultural Square in Gyeonggi-do, waving to citizens and greeting them. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers.
Lee’s lifestyle-oriented pledge approach is a customized election strategy that appeals to the timely and diverse demands of specific groups. During the Lunar New Year holiday, Lee plans to tour the metropolitan area and announce livelihood-focused pledges to respond to the various demands of voters. This is a continuation of the mini pledges he has announced so far (such as applying health insurance to hair loss treatments and postponing cryptocurrency taxation for one year).
On the same day in the morning, Lee continued his engagement with MZ generation soldiers, who are considered the ‘casting vote’ in this presidential election. Just before the Lunar New Year holiday, after visiting Gwangju the previous day to solidify the Democratic Party’s stronghold in the ‘Honam base,’ he aimed to capture the votes of young men in their 20s (I-dae-nam). Lee visited the 2nd Marine Division stationed in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, to attend the event ‘100 km Border Area: Meeting with MZ Generation Soldiers.’ He then received an operational briefing, rang the Peace Bell, and had conversations with the soldiers.
In the afternoon, he visited the Korean Medical Association. Lee plans to attend the ‘COVID-19 Crisis Response Special Committee’ to review the quarantine situation. A campaign office official explained, “This will be an opportunity to encourage the medical staff who have worked hard to overcome the COVID crisis and to listen to various issues faced by the medical community.”
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