The Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party fanned out to Jeonbuk and Daegu on Sunday, nine days ahead of the June 3 local elections, in a push to lock down their respective strongholds. The Democratic Party intensified its offensive in Jeongeup, Jeonbuk, targeting incumbent Jeonbuk Governor Kim Kwan-young, who recently declared an independent candidacy. The People Power Party also visited Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province (TK), going all out to rally its conservative base. With tight races emerging in each party's traditional stronghold, both sides are working to throw their weight behind their candidates and seize the upper hand.
Democratic Party leader Jung Cheong-rae held a Central Election Strategy Committee meeting on Sunday at the campaign office of Lee Hak-soo, the party's candidate for Jeongeup mayor, in Jeongeup, Jeonbuk. "Jeonbuk can develop further when President Lee Jae-myung is from the Democratic Party, the Jeonbuk governor is from the Democratic Party, and the National Assembly members are from the Democratic Party," Jung said. "If you like and support President Lee, please vote for Lee Won-taek, the Democratic Party's candidate for Jeonbuk governor."
The Democratic Party leadership's visit to Jeonbuk, the party's traditional stronghold, just before the election comes amid concerning trends in Kim's approval ratings. Kim was expelled from the Democratic Party last month over allegations that he handed out cash ranging from 20,000 to 100,000 won to young party members under the guise of designated driver fees. He subsequently launched an independent bid, claiming the Democratic Party's nomination process was unfair. With recent polls showing the two candidates locked in a tight race, the Democratic Party leadership has been making consecutive visits to Jeonbuk.
Jung also appealed that the local election presents a prime opportunity for Jeonbuk's development. "For Jeonbuk to develop, it must be backed by budgets and laws," he said. "If you make candidate Lee the Jeonbuk governor, the party, government, and Cheong Wa Dae will become one team and devote ourselves wholeheartedly to improving the lives of Jeonbuk residents, including Saemangeum development." Democratic Party floor leader Han Byung-do also stressed, "Together with the Lee Jae-myung administration, which is producing brilliant achievements, let's turn Jeonbuk's opportunities into reality as the Democratic Party One Team."
As for Kim's claim that he had discussed his independent candidacy with President Lee, Jung sharply criticized it as "false." "When we checked with Cheong Wa Dae about Kim's claim, they jumped up and said it was not true," Jung said. "He has gone way beyond the line." He added, "It is a dangerous gamble that puts the president in a difficult position. Would President Lee really have consulted with an independent candidate?"
People Power Party leadership, including party leader Jang Dong-hyuk, visited Daegu, the conservative stronghold, the same day. Jang's visit marked his second trip to Daegu this month. The move is seen as a desperate effort to defend the home turf as signs of waning public sentiment have been detected in the TK region.
In recent polls, People Power Party candidate Choo Kyung-ho and Democratic Party candidate Kim Boo-kyum have been locked in a tight race within the margin of error, fueling a sense of crisis within and outside the party that "we may even lose Daegu." In particular, the unexpected close race forming even in TK, the People Power Party's core support base, has raised concerns that it could affect voter sentiment in Chungcheong and Gangwon as well.
At the "Daegu-Gyeongbuk Joint Vision Declaration Ceremony" held at the Daegu city party office, Jang appealed for support, saying, "There is no future for Daegu and North Gyeongsang with a Democratic Party candidate who only divides regions rather than promoting balanced regional development, a Democratic Party candidate who simply pours out money and rakes back several times as much through taxes."
He continued, "Lee Jae-myung is dividing the people, intimidating one side and collectively bullying the other, conducting politics of fear. If a candidate from such a regime and party takes charge of Daegu and North Gyeongsang, what will become of the lives of Daegu and North Gyeongsang residents?" The People Power Party's strategy is to maximize support in TK and extend that upward momentum to battleground regions including the metropolitan area, Chungcheong, and Gangwon.
The movements of former President Park Geun-hye are also emerging as a variable in this election. Park has begun stepping up her public activities after recently appearing at Chilseong Market in Daegu to campaign for Choo. On Sunday, she visited the birthplace of the late Yuk Young-soo in Okcheon, North Chungcheong Province, before traveling to Daejeon for the first time in 20 years to campaign for Lee Jang-woo, the People Power Party's candidate for Daejeon mayor. Park personally appealed for support, saying, "Please help the People Power Party candidates" and "Please give these people a chance to work." Park is scheduled to continue her campaign support with visits to Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang on the 27th and Gangwon Province on the 28th of this month.
