Citizens Party and Open Party Visit Bongha Village in Turn... Engaging in 'Clarity Competition'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The Together Citizens Party and the Open Democratic Party are engaging in a 'competition of clarity' by consecutively visiting Bongha Village in Gimhae, where the late President Roh Moo-hyun's tomb is located.

On the morning of the 27th, the Citizens Party will visit the National Cemetery and pay respects at the graves of former President Kim Dae-jung and Mrs. Lee Hee-ho before heading to Bongha Village. The Open Democratic Party is also scheduled to visit Bongha Village on the 29th. The consecutive visits by the two parties to Bongha are interpreted as a result of Democratic Party supporters splitting between the Citizens Party and the Open Democratic Party. Bongha has recently emerged as a symbolic place for legitimacy competition whenever conflicts arise among candidates within the Democratic Party.

Previously, during the 2016 Democratic Party leadership election, which was a three-way race, lawmakers Song Young-gil and Choo Mi-ae, as well as former Innovation Committee Chairman Kim Sang-gon, visited Bongha Village in succession. In the recent Yeongdeungpo-eul Democratic Party primary for the general election, lawmaker Shin Kyung-min also went down to Bongha to meet Mrs. Kwon Yang-sook, saying, "The First Lady heard about Yeongdeungpo-eul and met with me, offering encouragement."

In fact, even ruling party supporters who initially spoke with one voice regarding participation in the proportional representation coalition party are now divided over the Citizens Party and the Open Democratic Party. A Democratic Party member said, "The Citizens Party is the official supporting party of the Democratic Party," adding, "(The Open Democratic Party) does not help the Democratic Party at all." On the other hand, a member of the Open Democratic Party emphasized, "The Open Democratic Party was created separately because the Democratic Party neglected protecting the Moon Jae-in administration while seeking justification," and "Our party was created by the people, not the party leadership."

The Democratic Party is drawing a clear line against the Open Democratic Party and is appealing daily for support of the Citizens Party. After Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan's remark telling the Open Democratic Party not to impersonate the Democratic Party, he met with Citizens Party proportional candidates the previous day and emphasized twice, "For constituencies, Together Democratic Party! For proportional representation, Together Citizens Party!" He also criticized the Open Democratic Party, saying they are impersonating the Democratic Party and the Moon Jae-in administration.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, the Open Democratic Party has taken a stance of 'not responding.' Instead, they have promoted the 'dutiful son theory.' Son Hye-won, the Open Democratic Party's nomination management committee chairperson, appeared on MBC radio that morning and said, "I understand the sensitive position from which these remarks are made," adding, "Yesterday, they called us legitimate or illegitimate heirs, but we are the dutiful son, always ready to support our parents when the party faces difficulties."

Meanwhile, according to a Realmeter poll released the previous day (commissioned by TBS, conducted from the 23rd to 25th with 1,518 voters aged 18 and over nationwide, with a 95% confidence level and a sampling error of ±2.5 percentage points), the Citizens Party garnered 28.9%, and the Open Democratic Party 11.6%. Considering that the Open Democratic Party was reflected later in the polls, there are expectations that its support rate will gradually rise. Chairperson Son said, "The party vote share will be around 25%." The Open Democratic Party is confident of securing at least 12 seats as their general election goal.

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