Han Dong-hoon, former representative of the People Power Party, presented 'The era of a growing middle class' as the first policy vision for the 21st presidential election. He also put forth '3·4·7 (AI G3, national income of $40,000, 70% expansion of the middle class)' as a vision for future growth. Additionally, he noted that he would reorganize the tax system to be family-friendly and strengthen welfare for essential expenses such as healthcare, education, care, and housing while also increasing real income through price stability.

Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon visits the Gadeok New Town Airport site and makes a statement on Dec. 12. /Courtesy of People First Camp

Han noted during a press conference at the National Assembly this morning, 'I will present 'The era of a growing middle class' as a key pledge.'

He said, 'The middle class must be able to feel that they are truly part of the middle class, and the working class should be able to rise to the middle class if they have the will and effort.' He added that money should not simply be handed out based on a sham economy like Lee Jae-myung's Democratic Party. He stressed that welfare populism, like the basic series, should not cut down on the seeds of achievement and challenge. The state must ensure that people's lives improve tomorrow and allow them to dream of future hope.

To usher in the 'middle-class era', he presented four policy strategies: ▲Growing the national income ▲Lowering excessive taxes that erode income ▲Strengthening welfare for essential expenses such as healthcare, education, care, and housing ▲Increasing real income through price stability in areas such as energy.

First, Han stated, 'Growth is practical for this generation and a matter of survival for the next generation. The first step in the real income enjoyed by the people is growth.' He emphasized, 'I will restore the 'capable conservative.' I will design the future with a 'real economy' and a 'winning economy.'

He then disclosed the '3·4·7 future growth vision', which aims for AI (artificial intelligence) G3, a national income of $40,000, and a 70% expansion of the middle class. To achieve this, he proposed an investment of 150 trillion won in AI infrastructure and a total of 200 trillion won considering ecosystem creation.

Han remarked, 'If we aim for AI G3, an investment of 150 trillion won over five years in data centers, computing hardware, semiconductors, and more is not an excessive amount.' He added that the government should play a role in injecting growth funds into areas that the private sector finds difficult to bear, sacrificing some revenue in the process. He stated he would lead the market through public-private partnership funds, securing matching funds, and proactive financial policy support.

To foster an ecosystem for AI innovation, he also revealed plans to strategically invest in practical application fields (AI+x) such as healthcare AI, robotics, defense, drones, and autonomous driving, and to completely overhaul the education curriculum from elementary to university education to train 10,000 'AI specialists' suited for the AI industry. Additionally, he plans to establish a so-called 'Ministry of Future Strategy' to support advanced industries like AI.

Han emphasized, 'The most important thing is to ensure that the realization of AI supremacy does not disconnect from the lives of the people.' He noted that AI should create jobs, contribute to childcare, education, and care, and that revenue from state AI investments should be prioritized for welfare policies through a 'lifetime welfare account' benefiting each individual.

He also stated, 'Even if the national income reaches $40,000, if people feel that taxes are excessive, life will still be tough.' He announced plans to alleviate the burden of the earned income tax on citizens, including expanding the basic deduction from 1.5 million won to 2 million won, increasing the child basic deduction for the first child to 2.5 million won, the second to 3 million won, and the third or more to 4 million won, creating new tax credits for those on parental leave, converting inheritance taxes to estate taxes, and completely exempting spousal inheritance.

To strengthen the middle class, he stated he would expand welfare through 'customized welfare' tailored to individuals and 'service welfare' to support growth through job creation. Han emphasized, 'The conservatives have not been able to show sincerity in building a welfare state, but I aim to push this forward actively.' He continued, 'I will not adopt the welfare populism of Lee Jae-myung or create fake policies turning current-generation debt into future-generation debt.'

Regarding welfare, he proposed introducing a 'lifetime welfare account' that guarantees tailored welfare benefits throughout the life cycle from infants to youth, middle-aged, and elderly. This account will include cash accounts as well as 'individual care service accounts,' allowing citizens to utilize a comprehensive welfare program as they see fit. He noted he would adjust the welfare structure based on demand and establish a social security ministry at the vice-premier level to implement this.

Additionally, he promised to expand and upgrade the 'Spring School' Season 2, establish a 'family care insurance' system, provide 'paid family caregiving leave,' and implement AIP (Aging in Place) to expand housing and care services to all elderly citizens in need.

Regarding price stability, he emphasized the need to continue developing ecosystems and technologies for stable energy supply, such as nuclear power, and to activate advanced smart agriculture by easing restrictions on farmland transactions.

Han emphasized, 'The conservatism I advocate is practical and innovative, aimed at resolving economic issues,' adding, 'The starting point is restoring the middle class, which will soon expand into economic security, social value, and an innovative economy.'

He stated, 'As the middle class thickens, the political moderate class will also grow.' He added that as more reasonable and sensible moderate voices emerge, liberal democracy will become more robust, changing the current societal atmosphere where extreme voices are overrepresented and the thoughts of the middle class are often overlooked.