With just one day remaining before the June 3 local elections, ruling and opposition candidates running for Gyeonggi Province governor pressed final efforts to win over voters on Monday, touring key locations across the province until the campaign period ended at midnight.
Choo Mi-ae, the Democratic Party candidate, began her campaign in northern Gyeonggi in the morning, greeting voters and asking for their support in front of the statue of King Taejo Yi Seong-gye on Haengbok Road in Uijeongbu.
In the afternoon, she moved to southern Gyeonggi, continuing her campaign at Eunhaeng Market Intersection in Seongnam, near Cham Joeun Hospital in Gwangju, Gwango Traditional Market in Icheon, and Singal Five-Way Intersection in Yongin. These areas are regions where Democratic Party candidates are in tight races against People Power Party candidates.
Choo concluded her final stump speech at Na Hye-seok Street in Suwon that night.
Yang Hyang-ja, the People Power Party candidate, who had continued her campaign overnight from the previous day, met with voters from early dawn at Sinjung-dong Station in Bucheon, the Cheolsan commercial district in Gwangmyeong, Indeokwon Station in Anyang, and a workers' canteen in Yongin.
She then campaigned at Yangsu Station in Dumulmeori, Yangpyeong, in front of the Gapyeong County Office, and at Yatap Station in Seongnam. In the afternoon, she visited Migeum Station in Seongnam, Bojeong-dong and Giheung Station in Yongin, Yeongtong Station and Galleria Department Store in Suwon, and the Byeongjeom and Dongtan central shopping districts in Hwaseong, meeting citizens at eye level.
After her closing rally at the Dongtan Station intersection near her home, Yang said, "Over the past month, I have seen the lives and dreams of Gyeonggi residents on early morning commutes, in market alleys, and in the eyes of young people. I have come this far with the single mindset that I must protect these lives."
Cho Eung-cheon, the Reform Party candidate, met voters at Pangyo New Town in Seongnam, Jukjeon Central Park in Yongin, and Gwango Traditional Market in Icheon, before wrapping up his campaign in front of the Hwado Nonghyup Songra Branch in Namyangju, his former parliamentary constituency.
"All political forces are extending their hands asking for help, but I extended my hand to help the residents of Gyeonggi," she said. "Rather than begging for power, I wanted to say let's win together."
Yang also stressed, "Politics should not be a grand slogan but warmth that first heats the coldest places. I believe sincerity in raising up the broken lives of residents is the beginning of politics."
"The reason Yang Hyang-ja, an 18-year-old factory girl, could come this far was thanks to the people who endlessly extended their hands," she said. "Now, in Gyeonggi Province, I want to complete an even greater drama with you."
"I, Yang Hyang-ja, have never lived an easy life," she emphasized. "I always made a new road at the end of the road, and I produced results when everyone said it was impossible. This time too, I will surely get it done."
