'Coronavirus' Impact... "It Also Changed the General Election Campaign"

Greetings Instead of Handshakes and Cancellation of Election Office Opening Ceremonies Continue

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Amid growing concerns about the novel coronavirus (Wuhan pneumonia), with the April 15 general election approaching, preliminary candidates are replacing handshakes with greetings, and some have canceled or postponed election office opening ceremonies, changing the landscape of election campaigns.

Jang Man-chae, the Democratic Party of Korea preliminary candidate for Suncheon, Jeonnam, decided to campaign by exchanging business cards and greetings instead of handshakes.

Candidate Jang Man-chae stated, "To prevent the spread of Wuhan pneumonia, which is known to be highly contagious, I will not extend my hand to voters I meet at events or on the streets," adding, "Except when the other party initiates a handshake, I will campaign by handing out business cards and greeting them."

Kim Myung-jin, the Alternative Party preliminary candidate for Seo-gu Gap, Gwangju Metropolitan City, is also conducting a non-face-to-face customized campaign to reduce direct contact with voters.

Candidate Kim is implementing a customized campaign approach including ▲producing and distributing response card news for infection prevention ▲wearing masks and gloves ▲hand-heart greetings instead of handshakes ▲bowing 90 degrees at the waist ▲constant hand sanitizing with hand sanitizer and spraying it on citizens ▲refraining from visiting multi-use facilities such as shopping districts and traditional markets.

Candidate Kim said, "Protecting residents' health and safety through prevention of the novel coronavirus infection takes priority over election campaigning."

He plans to focus on non-face-to-face promotional activities for the time being, campaigning by making 50 phone calls a day, engaging in SNS activities, and sending text messages.

Lee Yong-bin, the Democratic Party of Korea preliminary candidate for Gwangsan-gu Gap, Gwangju Metropolitan City, decided to cancel the election office opening ceremony scheduled for the 1st of next month.

Candidate Lee Yong-bin said, "Residents' health and safety come before elections," adding, "Before being a politician, I will temporarily return to being a doctor and support prevention activities by visiting places where information delivery is relatively weak."

Kim Won-i, the Democratic Party of Korea preliminary candidate for Mokpo, Jeonnam, also decided to tentatively postpone the election office opening ceremony scheduled for the 8th of next month.

Candidate Kim Won-i said, "Although all preparations for the opening ceremony are complete, people come first, and citizens' safety is a priority, so I ask for understanding from supporters, Democratic Party members, and citizens with a broad heart."

Jeon Jin-sook, the Democratic Party of Korea preliminary candidate for Buk-gu Eul, Gwangju Metropolitan City, also canceled the election office opening ceremony scheduled for the 1st of next month, judging that the safety of the people and local residents must come first.

Choi Young-ho, the Democratic Party of Korea preliminary candidate for Dongnam Gap, Gwangju Metropolitan City, also decided to reduce external activities to avoid contact as much as possible for coronavirus prevention and continue campaigning through phone calls and SNS.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.