Comparing Key Policies of Lee Jae-myung, Kim Moon-soo, and Lee Jun-seok for the 2025 Presidential Election
As the 2025 presidential election in South Korea approaches, voters are shifting their focus from “Who will become president?” to “Who offers a vision for the future?” The leading candidates—Lee Jae-myung, Kim Moon-soo, and Lee Jun-seok—each represent different political paradigms and present distinct policy proposals. Understanding these differences is crucial as they will shape the nation’s direction. Below, we delve into their major policies across various sectors.
Economic Policies: A Comparative Look
Lee Jae-myung emphasizes “fair distribution” and “substantial growth” in his economic agenda. His flagship policy is the phased introduction of a basic income system, ensuring all citizens receive a fixed income, backed by a detailed funding plan. He also proposes a land ownership tax to curb speculative profits in real estate, aiming to stabilize housing and expand welfare. His policies include banning circular shareholding to reduce conglomerate power and reforming the subcontracting system to protect small businesses from technology theft.
Kim Moon-soo focuses on “labor reform” and a “market-driven economy.” He advocates for corporate tax cuts to stimulate investment and supports privatizing public institutions to enhance market efficiency. He aims to reform powerful labor unions, expand performance-based pay, and limit union political involvement. Unlike Lee, Kim prioritizes strengthening large corporations’ global competitiveness and reducing fiscal burdens from excessive welfare.
Lee Jun-seok targets the digital economy and youth entrepreneurship. He plans to shift from a conglomerate-led industrial model to one that supports startups and SMEs through deregulation and tax incentives. He emphasizes expanding startup funds for youth, supporting non-contact industries, and protecting platform workers’ rights. Lee also proposes easing regulations on multiple homeowners and reconsidering capital gains taxes, promoting market autonomy over regulation.
Welfare and Social Policies: Diverse Approaches
Lee Jae-myung champions universal welfare, aiming to strengthen public healthcare by expanding national hospitals and enhancing local medical facilities. His housing policy includes introducing “basic housing” to ensure stable living conditions for all. Education policies focus on completing free high school education, expanding state support for university tuition, and improving childcare systems.
Kim Moon-soo stresses self-reliance through work, advocating for a work-related welfare system with a principle that “those who do not work shall not eat.” He opposes public healthcare expansion and basic income, favoring private insurance and medical service choice. In education, he supports parental choice and private school autonomy, seeking quality improvements through market competition.
Lee Jun-seok focuses on redesigning welfare for efficiency, arguing for infrastructure expansion in healthcare and childcare over cash benefits. He plans to institutionalize policy effectiveness assessments and reduce redundancy in welfare delivery through digital administration. His youth housing policies include expanding public dormitories and increasing budgets for youth rent subsidies.
Foreign Policy and National Security: Strategic Differences
Lee Jae-myung promotes “pragmatic diplomacy” with a focus on restoring the Korean Peninsula peace process and balanced diplomacy in Northeast Asia. His North Korea policy involves dialogue and exchange to ease tensions, with plans to resume Kaesong Industrial Complex and Mount Kumgang tourism. While bolstering the U.S.-South Korea alliance, he emphasizes autonomous defense and a rapid transfer of wartime operational control.
Kim Moon-soo views North Korea as a “clear adversary,” opposing military tension reduction talks. He advocates for additional THAAD deployments and even nuclear armament, favoring “deterrence-based peace.” The U.S.-South Korea alliance is central, with calls for expanded military cooperation with Japan. He focuses on eradicating “pro-North Korea forces” and prefers U.S.-centric military strategies over self-reliance.
Lee Jun-seok strikes a realist stance, acknowledging “conditional negotiations” while respecting international sanctions on North Korea. He suggests limited economic exchanges if North Korea freezes its nuclear program and allows inspections. He supports strengthening the U.S.-South Korea alliance and balancing diplomacy with China. His Japan policy separates historical issues from economic cooperation, emphasizing practical diplomacy. New security agendas like digital security and cyber warfare preparedness are also included.
Political Reform and Generational Politics
Lee Jae-myung prioritizes judicial reform, proposing the separation of prosecutorial powers and enhancing the Anti-Corruption Investigation Office. His parliamentary reforms include limiting lawmakers’ immunity, reducing privileges, and adjusting legislative seats. He also mentions relocating some parliamentary functions for balanced regional development and expanding fiscal autonomy for local governments.
Kim Moon-soo’s political reform centers on eliminating “leftist forces,” advocating for legal amendments to dissolve anti-state parties and punish anti-national statements. He opposes electoral system changes like increasing legislative seats or adopting proportional representation. His focus is on breaking ties between NGOs and politics rather than media transparency.
Lee Jun-seok seeks to dismantle the entrenched two-party system through electoral reforms, advocating for expanded proportional representation and merging electoral districts. He champions digital platform-based party operations and online voting, aiming to ensure fair and transparent candidate selection. He also proposes legislative changes to provide real opportunities for young politicians aged 18 and above.
In conclusion, each candidate offers a distinct vision for South Korea’s future. While Lee Jae-myung emphasizes government intervention for equitable growth, Kim Moon-soo champions market-driven solutions, and Lee Jun-seok advocates for technological innovation and youth empowerment. Voters must weigh these differences to decide the country’s path forward.