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South Korea’s presidential race heats up

Sunday, 27 February 2022 1:31 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 27 February 2022 1:31 AM ]

Frank Smith

Press TV, Seoul

South Korea’s presidential campaign season is heating up. The two leading contenders are neck and neck as shown by recent polls. At a rally in Seoul Saturday, former prosecutor and conservative candidate Yoon Suk-yeol of the People Power Party outlined the faults of the current administration.

Retired civil rights attorney and former governor, Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung has staked out progressive policies, including a Universal Basic Income, in stark contrast to Yoon’s pro-business orientation. At a recent event honoring hundreds of victims of a 2003 subway fire and 2014 ferry disaster, Lee advocated social safety.

The main candidates also take very different positions on foreign policy, with Yoon seeking to strengthen the country’s US alliance, and Lee calling for engagement with North Korea.

“For this presidential election the youth vote promises to be key. South Korea in 2020 lowered the eligible voting age from 19 to 18 years old. Eligible voters will cast their ballots for the 13th president of the Republic of Korea on March 9.

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