No Masks and Even Hugs... Campaign Sites Where 'Social Distancing' Has Disappeared

On the afternoon of the 5th, Lee Nak-yeon, the Democratic Party candidate running for Jongno in the April 15 general election (left), appealed for support in front of an apartment complex in Muak-dong, Jongno-gu, while Hwang Kyo-ahn, the United Future Party candidate, appealed for support in Pyeongchang-dong, Jongno-gu.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the political sphere is refraining from large-scale mobilization campaigns and focusing on calm campaigns without rhythmic movements or logo songs. However, during the election campaigns led by the ruling and opposition party leaderships, not only is the government's recommended 'social distancing' principle being ignored, but warm gestures such as handshakes and hugs between candidates and voters continue, drawing criticism.

In the 21st National Assembly election, Lee Nak-yeon, the Democratic Party candidate running in Jongno-gu, Seoul, is taking a commemorative photo with citizens after finishing a campaign in front of an apartment complex in Muak-dong, Jongno-gu on the afternoon of the 5th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Lee Nak-yeon, the co-chairman of the Democratic Party's joint election countermeasures committee running in Jongno, Seoul, took to the streets of Muak-dong, Jongno-gu, on the 5th. At that time, Chairman Lee wore a mask and gloves, but he was often seen removing his mask when taking photos or talking with voters. On the 3rd, he also shook hands with citizens without gloves at Jeil Central Market in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, where he visited to support Democratic Party candidates. The market tour was accompanied by Democratic Party candidates Heo Young (Gangwon Chuncheon Cheorwon Hwacheon Yanggu Gap) and Jeong Man-ho (Chuncheon Cheorwon Hwacheon Yanggu Eul), who are running in Chuncheon. As Chairman Lee toured the market with the Democratic candidates, citizens gathered to shake hands or requested selfies.

Hwang Kyo-ahn, the United Future Party candidate who ran in Jongno, Seoul, in the April 15 general election, is responding to supporters' cheers during a street campaign at the three-way intersection in front of Jaedong Elementary School in Jongno-gu last weekend on the 4th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Hwang Kyo-ahn, the leader of the United Future Party, showed similar behavior. On the 5th, during a street campaign at Chungsin Market in Jongno-gu, Leader Hwang hugged citizens and took photos with his arm around their shoulders in a friendly manner. Some citizens hugged Leader Hwang without wearing masks, showing disregard for the government's recommended 'social distancing.'

Regarding this, Joo Isaak, deputy spokesperson of the People's Party election committee, criticized on the 5th, "The scenes at the election campaigns of ruling and opposition parties show concentrated rallies gathering supporters together, and although gloves were worn, many voters were shaken hands with, which contradicts social distancing and distancing measures."

Meanwhile, some candidates are conducting election campaigns by personally practicing 'social distancing' and minimizing face-to-face contact with voters. Na Kyung-chae, the Justice Party candidate for Gwangsan Gap, Gwangju, has been meeting voters on an electric bicycle since the first day of campaigning on the 2nd. Jo Seong-hwan, the Democratic Party candidate running in Miryang, Uiryeong, Haman, and Changnyeong in Gyeongnam, is also campaigning by riding a bicycle from Miryang to Uiryeong.

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