People Power Party (PPP) leader Jang Dong-hyuk called for a last-minute rally of supporters, declaring that "the firm determination to protect one's home and property is shifting the dynamics of this election."
At a press conference held at the PPP's central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on Wednesday, Jang said, "This local election is the last chance to correct the arrogance and ignorance of the Lee Jae-myung administration and to prevent economic ruin and the collapse of people's livelihoods."
Jang particularly highlighted the "triple-high crisis" of high prices, high interest rates and a high exchange rate, framing the vote as a referendum on the Lee Jae-myung government.
"While one side is throwing a 600 million won bonus party, others are wandering in search of a 6,000 won cafeteria meal," he said. "While the government celebrates KOSPI breaking 7,000, there are citizens sighing over mortgage rates that have surpassed 7%."
He continued, "Jobs for young people have disappeared, and jobs for breadwinners are nothing but unstable. This is the result of the Yellow Envelope Act stamped out by the Lee Jae-myung regime, various economically harmful laws, and anti-business policies that only watch out for aristocratic unions — all of which have undermined the basic economic stamina of the Republic of Korea."
Jang also assessed that "Seoul apartment prices have risen even more than during the Moon Jae-in era," adding, "Jeonse and monthly rent prices have soared to unimaginable levels, and even finding available units is like picking stars from the sky."
"But what is more worrying is what comes next. Increases in property holding taxes and the abolition of the long-term holding special deduction are just waiting for the local election to end," he said. "Yet Kim Yong-beom, head of the Presidential Office's Policy Office, said that the difficulty of making a living is a cost of success and that we should change our framework of perception."
He stressed, "If the cries of people's livelihoods sound like a cost of success, then the Lee Jae-myung regime is living in a different world from the people. This election must clearly teach them reality."
Jang took direct aim at the Democratic Party of Korea's local election candidates, calling them "people who will serve as helpers to Lee Jae-myung's dictatorship."
"They will work not for the people, but only for the 'Gaeddal,'" he added, referring to hardline supporters of Lee. "Voting can bring the reckless drive of the Lee Jae-myung regime to a halt."
