[Declaration of Candidacy Analysis] ① Which Visions Did Presidential Candidates Present to 'Save the Country'?

AI and Advanced Industries Cited as Solutions to Economic Challenges
Lee Jae-myung Highlights Competence and Emphasizes Tools for Change
People Power Party Seeks to Differentiate from Traditional Conservative Policies

Editor's NoteThe 'June 3 Presidential Election' is a turning point that will determine the future of the Republic of Korea. Major presidential candidates have presented their determination to challenge and their national governance blueprints through successive declarations of candidacy. We analyze their messages, the concepts of their declarations, and their first official moves as presidential candidates in three installments.

For those dreaming of becoming president, declaring candidacy is the most important political event. It is the first step in formalizing their political journey and an opportunity to showcase their appeal. This is why the presidential candidacy declarations embody the candidates' sense of mission for the era and their historical tasks.

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, who threw his hat in the ring through a video on the 10th, joined the presidential race on the 11th by announcing his vision. Emphasizing pragmatism, problem-solving ability, and swift execution, he highlighted his 'capability' as the next president. In particular, Lee stressed the importance of growth, stating, "The economic paradigm situation has brought about an era where the government's role is more important again."

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon, who advocates for "regime change beyond regime change," pledged political reform, saying he would "play the role of a primer opening the door to the Seventh Republic." He also previewed a 'big deal' in five major areas: opportunity economy, regional balance, climate economy, care economy, and taxation and finance.

Former Gyeongnam Province Governor Kim Kyung-soo proposed a coalition among constitutional protection forces under the name "Alliance of Light" regarding the direction of national governance. Kim emphasized, "We must achieve stronger unity to end internal strife, carry out reforms, and amend the constitution." He presented the 'national balanced development policy' as a growth engine.

Former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, who began his candidacy declaration by saying "I have no choice but to accept" regarding former President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment, emphasized that he is the representative candidate of the conservative camp. Considered a pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) candidate, Kim declared, "I will not back down against forces trying to destroy the national identity through a system war."

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo presented "Advanced Nation" as his national governance philosophy, putting traditional conservative values at the forefront. He advocated for national unity, deregulation led by the private sector, fiscal management through nuclear balance and reducing welfare leakage, and a return to traditional values based on strict punishment and meritocracy.

Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, who positioned himself as the "last gatekeeper closing the door of the old era," criticized extreme politics leading to emergency martial law and presidential dismissal, emphasizing constitutional amendment and political change. Proposing a three-year presidential term, he stated, "I will focus on nurturing the Big 5 sectors, including robots, semiconductors, energy, and bio."

People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, who claimed to be the right person to advance the artificial intelligence (AI) industry and resolve the medical crisis, stressed the need for a change of era. Having expressed support for former President Yoon's impeachment, Ahn argued that the impeachment river must be crossed. He emphasized, "If we fail to make Korea one of the top three AI powers, Korea's future will not exist."

People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won, who declared, "The essence of this presidential election is a system war," threw her hat in the ring with the message that she is "the only winning candidate who can save Korea." She also conveyed policy messages such as the '1·4·5 Project,' which stands for raising the potential growth rate by more than 1%, achieving a national income of $40,000, and becoming a G5 economic powerhouse.

The first confirmed presidential candidate, Reform New Party lawmaker Lee Jun-seok, took a differentiated approach by opening a presidential campaign office in Gangnam, Seoul. He personally painted the wall with the party's symbolic orange paint, pledging, "In this presidential election, I will establish politics correctly from the ground up."