Democratic United Party presidential candidate Moon Jae-in pledged to halve the basic cost of living as part of the efforts to establish a welfare state.

“The welfare state is not an ideology or a slogan. It is the public’s livelihood. (The welfare state) is the most effective way to immediately lower living costs,” Moon said. He added that the resources for funding related projects will be raised from fair taxation and by halting unnecessary civil engineering projects.

“Welfare is the public’s livelihood. The public’s livelihoods is new politics.”

Moon’s pledge aims at cutting education, medical, telecommunication and housing costs to the public.

Under the plans, a larger number of vaccinations for children will be provided by the government and state-run postnatal-care centers will be established. In addition, Moon plans to make elementary, middle and high schools free, and halve university tuition fees.

Moon also reiterated his plans to place a 1 million won ($923) ceiling on the amount an individual has to pay for medical care on an annual basis.

The DUP candidate will also see the introduction of “rent vouchers” for low-income groups, and expansion of state housing for long-term tenants. He said that state housing will increase to account for 10 percent of all housing.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)