People Power Party (PPP) leader Jang Dong-hyuk suffered a setback during his first regional campaign tour following his controversial U.S. visit, as a candidate on the ground bluntly told him to "solve what you started." In contrast, Democratic Party (DP) leader Jung Chung-rae visited South Gyeongsang Province, a conservative stronghold, channeling party resources into an "enemy territory offensive" by boosting candidate Kim Kyoung-soo. With the main matchups for the June 3 local elections finalized, the two parties' leadership find themselves in sharply contrasting positions as the full-scale campaign phase begins.
Jang visited Yangyang County in Gangwon Province on Thursday for a support rally but returned facing only unfriendly reactions, including a face-to-face rebuke from Gangwon Governor Kim Jin-tae, the party's candidate.
Kim attended a party campaign pledge announcement event held at a fishing village community center in Yangyang County, where he delivered pointed criticism of the party leadership. "Many citizens say they get so furious every time news about the central party comes out that they won't vote at all," he said. "When I go out on the ground, many people tell me, 'I've always been a red party (conservative) supporter, but thinking about the central party this time makes me so angry I won't vote.' The party needs to provide at least some backing."
Responding to Kim's pointed remarks, Jang told reporters, "I believe he spoke with affection given the party's difficult situation," adding, "I will consider what the central party must do to win the election." Jang and other leaders maintained a low profile that day, minimizing contact with local residents. At a restaurant they visited for a meal, the television aired news coverage of Kim's critical remarks.
The scene was reminiscent of an on-site Supreme Council meeting held in Incheon on the 6th. At that event, Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun, a five-term veteran lawmaker from Incheon, had delivered harsh criticism, saying, "Public sentiment in Incheon is dire. The grassroots want the central party to transition to an emergency reform system."
Jang had originally planned to hold an on-site Supreme Council meeting in Gangwon but abruptly cancelled it the day before. The schedule was scaled back to just the pledge announcement, prompting interpretations both inside and outside the party that the leadership feared a display of local discontent toward party leaders.
Within the PPP, growing numbers are distancing themselves from the party leadership, arguing that it is producing counterproductive effects rather than helping court moderate swing voters who will decide the election. This stands in stark contrast to the ruling party's election strategy, in which party leaders actively tour regional campaigns, accompanied by metropolitan and basic municipality candidates to boost electoral enthusiasm. PPP Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon rejected central party assistance and announced plans to form a candidate-centered campaign committee, while Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo and other lawmakers from Gyeonggi Province declared they would establish their own Gyeonggi campaign committee. Even in areas with strong party support, such as Daegu and North Gyeongsang, sentiment is spreading that candidates must distance themselves from the party leadership to fend off the Democratic Party's pursuit.
Jung held a shipboard on-site Supreme Council meeting on the waters off Yokjido Island in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang, on the same day, declaring, "Just as Admiral Yi Sun-sin defeated the Japanese forces, we will win in Tongyeong and the Yeongnam region." Seated on the ship's deck with his back to the sea, he actively promoted South Gyeongsang gubernatorial candidate Kim Kyoung-soo, seated to his right. Calling Kim "the Democratic Party's winning card in South Gyeongsang," Jung praised him as "a leader who spearheaded the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongsang (BUG) megacity strategy and, as chairman of the Presidential Committee for Decentralization, presented the Lee Jae-myung government's '5 Poles, 3 Special Zones' balanced development strategy."
Jung also toured Tongyeong Jungang Traditional Market with Kim to gauge local sentiment. Tongyeong has traditionally been considered a conservative stronghold, but a noticeably different mood was evident during the party leadership's visit. Kang, 56, who sells dried anchovies and other dried seafood, said, "I heard he came all the way from Seoul, and even went to Yokjido, which takes an hour from here. You can feel the sincerity of caring even for those who are overlooked." Choi, 45, who runs a Tongyeong honey bread shop, said, "For the first time in my life, I'm considering voting for the Democratic Party."
Political observers expect that as the election approaches its final stretch, each party's base will consolidate, meaning moderate unaffiliated voters will likely decide the outcome. Indeed, while the DP held a large lead beyond the margin of error in early polls, the gap has been narrowing over time. "While the Democratic Party is leading in conservative strongholds, it's uncertain what will happen if conservatives rally in the final stretch," a political source said. "If this situation continues, pressure on the PPP leadership to shift course will intensify."
