The ruling party, having changed its name to Saenuri, is now considering free breakfast at public schools as one of the party’s campaign pledges in the upcoming April general elections.

Reform-minded members of the party also suggested raising the monthly salary of soldiers as part of the social welfare program.

“Up to 36.9 percent of teenage students reportedly skip breakfast because of their tight academic timetable or the lack of parental care at home,” said Rep. Nam Kyung-pil, a leading reformer.

“Children’s health should be a matter of top priority over financial or political consideration.”

The program will be initially run with 50 percent state support and apply only to volunteers, but will later expand into a full scale free meal plan for all students, Nam said.

The suggestion, however, faced objections from within the party, especially as the party stood firmly against Seoul City’s free school meal plan throughout last year.

The related conflict with the opposition party over the free meal issue led to an unprecedented plebiscite and the ruling party’s defeat in the vote, followed by the resignation of former Mayor Oh Se-hoon.

Some observers also raised concerns of a lack of financial resources and possible backlash from schools.

“The party is already faced with urgent welfare issues ahead of the elections, and the free breakfast plan may not become a matter of top priority,” said a party official.

Nam also suggested increasing the monthly salary of enlisted soldiers from the current 93,800 won ($83.90) to 500,000 won.

“The state will operate its surplus so that soldiers, once discharged from their service, may use it to pay school tuitions or establish their own businesses,” said Nam.

The right-wing party, in efforts to access to voters’ heart ahead of political races, has recently come up with a series of progressive welfare pledges.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)