2025 Lee Jae-myung candidate presidential pledge deep analysis - education policy

Publication of the pledge book and basic direction

The candidate Lee Jae-myung from the Democratic Party of Korea has unveiled a pledge book titled 'A Real Republic of Korea from Now On', featuring three key phrases: 'Recovery, Growth, Happiness' ahead of the 21st presidential election to be held on June 3, 2025. This pledge book includes 15 major policy tasks and 247 detailed pledges aimed at restoring democracy, advancing the economy, and enhancing the happiness of the people's lives. The candidate proposes a vision of five strong nations: a strong economic nation, a strong diplomatic and security nation, a strong cultural nation, a strong democratic nation, and a strong welfare nation, planning to establish a foundation that supports the overall lives of the people.

Core Goals of Educational Policy Commitments

The educational pledge of candidate Lee Jae-myung is focused on enhancing the quality of public education and alleviating the burden of educational expenses under the principle of 'state responsibility education.' The ultimate goal is to bridge the educational gap and reduce the financial burden of private education, thereby improving the quality of life for parents and students. He shows a commitment to strengthening future talent education in preparation for the AI era and plans to lead South Korean youth to grow as key players in the fourth industrial revolution through the innovation of the education system.

Major pledges and action plans

The most important aspect of this candidate's education policy is the strengthening of public education responsibilities in primary and secondary education. Through this, tailored supplementary guidance for students who are below the basic academic level will be provided, along with an expansion of learning safety nets. The main content includes the expansion of after-school programs and the operation of self-directed learning centers, aiming to enable learning without reliance on private education. The establishment of the high school credit system and the enhancement of fairness in college entrance systems are also important topics of discussion, while the reinforcement of history education has recently been emphasized as a significant issue in education. Ensuring the independence of historical research institutions is also under consideration to prevent political interference.

Promises for Higher Education and Youth Support

Reducing the burden of college tuition is one of candidate Lee Jae-myung's key pledges. This is likely to be achieved through the realization of half-price tuition and the expansion of national scholarships. Additionally, plans are in place to strengthen support for youth housing by increasing university dormitories and providing rented housing for young people. These policies will contribute to improving the academic environment and, furthermore, there are considerations for alleviating the burden on parents through tax deductions for elementary school students' arts and physical education academy expenses as part of educational welfare. Improving the quality of early childhood education and care and reducing the financial burden on parents are also goals through the integration of childcare services.

Budget and Feasibility

Investment in public education and support for tuition fees require a significant budget however, education budgets are relatively easier to secure due to the strong support from the public. Tuition support is expected to be expanded gradually depending on financial conditions, and collaboration with universities is necessary in conjunction with university restructuring and financial support. While the goal of reducing private education expenses may be challenging to achieve in the short term, improvements in the quality of after-school programs and EBS-linked lectures are expected to yield some effects. Strengthening history education could be relatively straightforward if there is political consensus, and since the direction for consolidation of the reserves has already been established, it is anticipated that this will accelerate if this candidate is elected.

Differences in educational policies compared to other candidates

Candidate Lee Jae-myung emphasizes the strengthening of public education responsibilities and universal support. In contrast, conservative candidates focus on enhancing educational competitiveness and expanding autonomy. For instance, while the People Power Party emphasizes the autonomy of private schools and easing regulations for universities, Candidate Lee plans to strengthen the aspect of public education by nurturing national universities. Furthermore, he presents a progressive perspective on history education and civic education, while some in the conservative camp mention anti-communist education, highlighting the differences. In terms of tuition policies, Candidate Lee supports expanding state assistance, whereas conservative candidates tend to emphasize the concept of personal investment.