People Power Party (PPP) Secretary-General Chung Hee-yong said the official campaign launched by party leader Jang Dong-hyuk in Daejeon and South Chungcheong, which focused on winning over the central regions before expanding the momentum nationwide, has proven to be a key early- and mid-stage strategy.
Chung made the remarks at a press conference held Tuesday at the PPP's central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. "Combined with the candidates' passionate campaigning and the support from former President Park Geun-hye, the support base is consolidating, and we are seeing extremely close races emerge in many areas," he said.
According to Chung, the PPP currently views North Gyeongsang and Daegu as dominant regions, while Seoul, Gangwon, Daejeon, Chungcheong, Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang are seen as battleground areas. In the National Assembly by-elections, the party views Dalseong in Daegu as a dominant area, with Nam-gu A in Ulsan and Gongju-Buyeo-Cheongyang in South Chungcheong assessed as leaning in its favor.
Chung made a last-minute appeal to voters while continuing his offensive against President Lee Jae-myung. "Looking at his recent regional visits, many people are saying he looks less like the president of the Republic of Korea and more like the Democratic Party's election campaign chairman," he said. "I strongly urge President Lee and the presidential office staff to take care so that controversies over election interference and abuse of state power do not arise any further."
To voters, he said, "This election is about defending your region from immoral, incompetent and unqualified candidates." He added, "I ask voters to check the arrogant runaway of the Lee Jae-myung administration and to deliver a stern judgment on the unqualified Democratic Party candidates through their votes."
He particularly emphasized, "The essence of this election is defending the spirit of the Constitution and the rule of law against attempts to cancel trials in order to erase the president's crimes." He pointed out, "The Democratic Party has railroaded legislation that shakes the foundations of the judicial system and is repeatedly attempting to push through special prosecutor laws designed to eliminate trials related to the president altogether."
He continued, "This is an election to protect your home, your assets and your salary from the arrogant Lee Jae-myung administration." He said, "Jeonse is disappearing, monthly rents are surging, and mortgage interest rates are rising — the 'triple hell' for genuine homebuyers in the Seoul metropolitan area is becoming a reality."
Chung also addressed calls for conservative unification raised in some regions. "Pyeongtaek-eul in Gyeonggi is a place we absolutely cannot lose to Democratic Party candidate Kim Yong-nam and Rebuilding Korea Party candidate Cho Kuk," he said. "I heard that our party's candidate Yoo Eui-dong and Liberty and Innovation Party candidate Hwang Kyo-ahn reached an understanding yesterday. I will play a role with a flexible and open attitude so that common ground between the two candidates can be found."
He added, "Regarding the Ulsan mayoral election, independent candidate Park Maeng-woo previously served as our party's secretary-general and must be well aware of the Ulsan candidates' aspirations for unification. I earnestly request that candidate Park respond to the citizens' wishes."
