The Rebuilding Korea Party is stirring an upset, with some of its candidates for basic-level local government posts running neck-and-neck within the margin of error against Democratic Party candidates in the Honam region, a traditional Democratic stronghold. Contrary to earlier projections of a nationwide Democratic Party landslide, the People Power Party is gaining ground in the Yeongnam region, while Rebuilding Korea Party candidates are rising in some Honam districts, putting pressure on the Democrats. With Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk, who is running in Pyeongtaek-B, also leading in some polls, the Democratic Party cannot afford to let its guard down.
According to a poll on the Damyang county mayor race commissioned jointly by Gwangju CBS Nocut News, Namdo Ilbo, and BBS Gwangju Buddhist Broadcasting to polling firm Korea Information Research and conducted on 502 Damyang residents over 10 days starting the 9th (response rate 29.7%, margin of error ±4.4 percentage points at 95% confidence), Rebuilding Korea Party candidate Jeong Cheol-won received 46.0% and Democratic Party candidate Park Jong-won 45.1%.
In Hampyeong, Rebuilding Korea Party candidate Lee Yun-haeng also led the Democratic candidate within the margin of error. In a Hampyeong county mayor candidate support poll commissioned by Jeonnam Hope News to the Korea Society Opinion Institute (KSOI) and conducted over two days from the 7th to the 8th on 810 men and women aged 18 and older residing in Hampyeong (response rate 15.6%, margin of error ±3.4 percentage points at 95% confidence), Rebuilding Korea Party candidate Lee garnered 49.7% to Democratic candidate Lee Nam-o's 39.5%.
In Pyeongtaek-B, where Cho is running, surveys show him leading within the margin of error, underscoring the Rebuilding Korea Party's strong momentum. In a telephone survey of 502 Pyeongtaek residents conducted by Metavoice for JTBC on the 4th and 5th (response rate 11.6%, margin of error ±4.4 percentage points at 95% confidence), Cho led with 26%, edging out Democratic candidate Kim Yong-nam at 23% and People Power Party candidate Yoo Eui-dong at 18%, all within the margin of error.
In response, the Democratic Party leadership has begun firing warning shots, sending an official notice to its metropolitan and provincial chapters stating that any acts harming the party during the election period — aimed at the Rebuilding Korea Party and others — would be sternly punished. The core message is that anyone supporting campaigns of candidates from other parties will face disciplinary action.
With not only the Rebuilding Korea Party but also independent candidate Kim Kwan-yong showing strength in parts of Honam, the Democratic Party plans to intensify its campaigning to defend its stronghold. A Democratic Party official said, "Some polls have confirmed strong performances by independent and Rebuilding Korea Party candidates," adding, "The race should tilt back toward Democratic candidates as election day approaches, but we will still do our utmost to step up campaigning in Honam."
Further details on the polls are available on the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.
