Lee Junseok Heads to Gwangju After Seoul... 19th Pledge: "Easing Home Pension Eligibility"

Morning Debate with Kim Moonsoo Draws Attention to Conservative Big Tent
Abolishing the 1.2 Billion Won Official Property Value Limit for Single-Home Owners

Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, will continue his campaign in Gwangju on May 19, following his activities in Seoul.

On the morning of the same day, Lee is scheduled to attend the "Seoul Debate with the Underprivileged" at Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, alongside Kim Moonsoo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party. The meeting between the two candidates is drawing attention ahead of the June 3 presidential election, as it raises the possibility of forming a so-called "conservative big tent."

Before the debate, Lee held a press conference at Gwanghwamun Square, where he asserted, "I am the one and only surefire card to prevent the era of President Lee Jaemyung." Previously, after a TV debate the day before, Kim stated regarding the possibility of unification, "I hope he will join us."

In the afternoon, Lee will visit the site of the Kumho Tire Gwangju plant fire and other locations in the Honam region. He plans to move to Buk-gu, Gwangju, to review the status of a nearby complex shopping mall project and tour the proposed site. He will also visit the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) to hold a meeting with science and technology researchers. On May 7, Lee also visited the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Daejeon, where he stated, "The government will establish a system that sufficiently rewards and recognizes outstanding researchers in science and engineering." On the evening of May 19, he will hold a major campaign rally at the plaza in front of U-Square Gwangju Comprehensive Bus Terminal in Seo-gu, Gwangju.

Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, is speaking at the Seoul Debate with the Underprivileged held at Seoul City Hall on May 19, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Meanwhile, on the same day, Lee announced his 19th campaign pledge, the "My Home Pension Plus" program, which aims to ease the eligibility requirements for the home pension and increase its benefits. Lee stated, "By utilizing the asset structure of the elderly, who are heavily dependent on real estate, we will relax the eligibility requirements for the existing home pension and expand the benefits, thereby increasing the actual income of the elderly population."

Specifically, through the My Home Pension Plus program, the current 1.2 billion won limit on officially assessed property value will be abolished for single-home owners, and the limit will be raised to 2 billion won for multiple-home owners, thereby easing the eligibility requirements. Lee explained, "In addition, the reasons for lump-sum withdrawals, which are currently limited to serious illness treatment, will be expanded to include reasons such as children's marriage. The loan limit will also be raised to 1 billion won in line with the increased property value criteria for enrollment."