🎼 K-Pop and AI Drive South Korea’s Economic Campaign Promises

Advanced Level | May 12, 2025

🇰🇷 South Korea Economic Campaign Promises 2025: A New Vision of Culture and Tech

South Korea’s upcoming presidential election on June 3, 2025, follows the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over a controversial martial law declaration. The leading candidates, Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party and Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, are presenting South Korea’s economic campaign promises that intertwine cultural and technological advancements.

Lee Jae-myung’s Tech and Culture Strategy

Lee Jae-myung emphasizes investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and the cultural industry—two key pillars of South Korea economic campaign promises 2025. His platform includes:

AI and Content Industry Investment: Boosting research and development in AI and supporting the growth of the K-pop and entertainment sectors.
Support for SMEs: Providing assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises to foster innovation and job creation.
Social Reforms: Implementing a four-and-a-half-day workweek, addressing low birth rates, and expanding support for the elderly.

Foreign Policy and Social Vision

Lee also aims to improve relations with North Korea and the European Union, seeking peaceful engagement and expanded diplomatic ties.

Kim Moon-soo’s Economic and Security Focus

On the other hand, Kim Moon-soo focuses on economic deregulation and national security, highlighting his version of South Korea economic campaign promises 2025. His proposals include:

AI Investment Fund: Establishing a 100 trillion won ($71.21 billion) public-private fund to advance AI technologies.
Tax Reforms: Providing tax relief for the middle class and reforming inheritance taxes to stimulate economic activity.
National Security Measures: Advocating for the redeployment of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons and seeking nuclear fuel reprocessing rights.

Global Diplomacy and Trade Goals

Kim also proposes immediate talks with former U.S. President Donald Trump to negotiate trade tariffs and aims to strengthen the U.S.-South Korea alliance.

Vocabulary

Impeachment (noun): The process of charging a public official with misconduct.
Example: The president faced impeachment over the controversial declaration.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) (noun): The simulation of human intelligence in machines.
Example: Investing in AI is central to the candidate’s economic plan.
Deregulation (noun): The reduction or elimination of government regulations.
Example: The policy focuses on economic growth through deregulation.
Content Industry (noun): Sectors involved in creating and distributing media content.
Example: The content industry, including K-pop, is a significant economic contributor.
Public-Private Partnership (noun): A cooperative arrangement between government and private sector.
Example: The AI fund will be established through a public-private partnership.
Tariff (noun): A tax imposed by a government on imports or exports.
Example: Concerns over U.S. tariffs have impacted global trade dynamics.
Geopolitical (adjective): Relating to politics, especially international relations, as influenced by geographical factors.
Example: Geopolitical tensions affect international economic strategies.
Semiconductor (noun): A material that conducts electricity under certain conditions, used in electronic devices.
Example: South Korea is a leading producer of semiconductors.
Diplomatic Ties (noun): Official relationships between countries.
Example: Strengthening diplomatic ties can lead to economic benefits.
Economic Revitalization (noun): The process of stimulating economic growth and development.
Example: The candidate’s plan focuses on economic revitalization through technology and culture.

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What are the main economic strategies proposed by Lee Jae-myung and Kim Moon-soo?
How do the candidates plan to integrate AI and K-pop into their economic policies?
What are the potential benefits and challenges of investing in AI and the content industry?
How might the proposed policies affect South Korea’s international relations?
What role does national security play in the economic plans of the candidates?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

How can cultural industries like K-pop contribute to a country’s economy?
What are the implications of integrating AI into various sectors of the economy?
How do political decisions impact economic growth and innovation?
What are the challenges of balancing national security with economic development?
How can public-private partnerships influence technological advancements?

Related Idiom

“Strike a chord”
Meaning: To elicit a strong emotional response or to be significant to someone.
Example: The candidate’s emphasis on K-pop and AI struck a chord with younger voters.

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This article was inspired by Reuters coverage published on May 12, 2025.