The National Election Commission disclosed 10 election pledges and perspectives on the major policy agendas including economy and public welfare of preliminary candidates for the 18^th Presidential election on the website of the NEC and others.

This is the first time for the Presidential election to open the pledge information of preliminary candidates to the public, since the NEC started it to create an environment for candidates to compete with their policies and raise voters’ attention on elections.

Upon the request of the NEC, a total of 6 preliminary candidates submitted their pledge information on 10 core election pledges and their perspectives on major policy agendas in 5 policy fields: economy & public welfare; society & welfare; education & environment; politics & administration; and diplomacy & National Security. The preliminary candidates are as follows: Ms. Geun-Hye PARK from Saenuri Party (New Frontier Party); Mr. Jae-In MOON from Democratic United Party; Ms. Jeong-Hee LEE from Unified Progressive Party; Mr. Ji-Won KANG, independent; Mr. Jong-Sun PARK, independent; and Mr. Cheol-Soo AHN, independent.

The NEC expects that the disclosure of pledge information can lead political parties and candidates to compete with their own policies; and also can help voters compare and evaluate policies of each preliminary candidate in a more convenient manner.

The information of pledges and perspectives on the major policy agendas of preliminary candidates is available on the website (http://party.nec.go.kr) and the mobile application (http://party.nec.go.kr/people/mobile) of the NEC.

Meanwhile, the NEC has run the “Pledge Bank” where voters can suggest what they want for candidates’ pledges on the website and the mobile application of the NEC since September 10^th, 2012.

As of now, about 1978 suggestions have made by voters: the largest number of suggestions have made in the economy & public welfare section (659 cases); society & welfare (555 cases); education & environment (354 cases); and politics & administration (189 cases), respectively.

The NEC has a plan to publish a booklet carrying what voters want for candidates’ pledges and deliver it to each preliminary candidate and political party.

The NEC said that it will make its all efforts for the successful presidential election where candidates compete with their policies. To this end, the NEC urged political parties and candidates to put forth feasible policies and pledges; and also asked voters to compare them thoroughly and make a wise decision.