Ruling and Opposition Parties Both Claim Majority Seats... Democratic Party 'Confident' · United Party 'Desperate'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] With one week left until the April 15 general election, the Democratic Party of Korea and the United Future Party have each confidently claimed to secure a 'majority of seats.' However, the true intentions of each party are quite different. While the Democratic Party appears somewhat relaxed about the overall situation, the United Future Party shows signs of desperation. Accordingly, the campaign efforts of the two party leaderships are showing different patterns. Lee Nak-yeon, the co-chairman of the Democratic Party's joint election committee, is supporting other candidates' campaigns, whereas Hwang Kyo-ahn, the leader of the United Future Party, is focusing on campaigning in the Jongno district.

On the 8th, Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party, stated at the Democratic Party's Gwangju city party office located in Seo-gu, Gwangju, "This time, our party is laying a good foundation to complete reform tasks by securing a majority on its own," expressing confidence in winning a majority of seats. He said, "We have always been held back because we couldn't secure a majority, so we couldn't do our work properly," and added, "In the constituencies, the Democratic Party, and in proportional representation, the Together Citizens' Party will be the two wings for the Moon Jae-in administration to fly and complete reform tasks."

On the same day, Kim Jong-in, the general election committee chairman of the United Future Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly and said, "I am confident that we will secure a clear majority in this general election," adding, "The public opinion is not changing; it has already been decided." He said, "This election will be influenced by various complex factors, but fundamentally, it inevitably reflects the evaluation of President Moon Jae-in's leadership over the past three years," and added, "The public must have seen how important presidential leadership is through the 'Cho Kuk incident.'" Regarding the response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), he evaluated, "The economy, which has been devastated over the past three years, has become even more difficult due to COVID-19, but the president's leadership is not visible."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

While both parties are confident about securing a majority of seats, the Democratic Party shows a relaxed stance with Lee Nak-yeon supporting local campaigns, whereas the United Future Party contrasts by having leader Hwang Kyo-ahn focus on campaigning in Jongno until the last moment. On the 8th, Lee supported campaigns in areas including Jung-gu and Yeongdo in Busan, Jin-gu Gap and Eul, Sasang, followed by Yangsan Gap and Eul in Gyeongnam, Changwon, Jinhae, Uiwang and Gwacheon in Gyeonggi Province, Bundang Gap in Seongnam, and Yongin Gap, Eul, and Byeong. In particular, during a support campaign at Seomyeon Station in Busan, he hinted at re-pursuing the new airport project by saying, "Including the Busan New Airport issue, the Democratic Party will work with the government to solve various pending issues and the wishes of Busan citizens."

On the same day, at a campaign event in Jongno, leader Hwang stated, "We will comprehensively review accumulated urban regulations and abolish those that are ineffective or unfair," pledging to make Jongno a 'regulation-free zone.' He also emphasized compensating residents for the suffering caused by rallies and demonstrations in the nearby Gwanghwamun area.

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