Lee Nak-yeon Visits 'Democratic Party's Tough Districts' "Gwangju Was the First to Receive TK Patients... Regional Barriers Must Be Lowered"

Lee Nak-yeon, Co-Chair of the Democratic Party Joint Election Committee, Targets TK Areas Including Pohang, Gumi, and Andong on the 13th
Continues to Distance Himself from 'Democratic Party Landslide Victory' Theory

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Wondara and Jeon Jinyoung] On the 13th, two days before the April 15 general election, Lee Nak-yeon, co-chairman of the Democratic Party's joint election countermeasures committee, launched an offensive in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) region, considered a "Democratic Party stronghold." The Democratic Party views the TK region (25 seats) as a difficult battleground where even the incumbent lawmakers' constituencies, Daegu Suseong Gap (Kim Boo-kyum) and Buk-gu Eul (Hong Eui-rak), are considered competitive or slightly disadvantaged, making it hard to guarantee a single victory. Lee began his first TK support campaign by visiting Pohang to appeal for the resolution of regional animosities.

On the morning of the same day, Lee campaigned in front of Pohang City Hall to support candidate Oh Jung-gi (Pohang Buk-gu) and candidate Heo Dae-man (Nam-gu and Ulleung-gun), saying, "The first place in the country to clear hospitals to receive TK's first COVID-19 patients was Gwangju, and the place that sent lunch boxes to the citizens of TK was Jeollanam-do." He added, "I hope the people of TK will surely accept and remember the hearts and love of these citizens." He continued, "In facing the national misfortune of COVID-19, there was no region in front of this national tragedy," and added, "Regional barriers are lowering and must continue to lower."

Lee also said, "I boldly suggest that the citizens of Pohang and the people of TK show regional reconciliation and inspire the entire nation." He emphasized the strengths of the ruling Democratic Party candidates by saying, "Can someone who opposes the president do local projects well? Or can someone who communicates well with the president do local projects well?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This is Lee's first visit to TK during this election. After campaigning at Pohang City Hall, Lee moved to Indong, Gumi City, Gyeongbuk, to support candidates Kim Cheol-ho (Gumi Gap) and Kim Hyun-kwon (Gumi Eul), then had lunch at Andong Market before visiting candidate Lee Sam-geol (Andong City, Gyeongbuk). A TK candidate camp official said of Lee's support campaign, "Among TK candidates, there has been anticipation for the Democratic Party leadership's support to the extent that a 'TK neglect theory' emerged," adding, "We have to try everything possible in the remaining period."

Lee has consistently distanced himself from the "Democratic Party landslide theory." In a TBS radio interview on the morning of the same day, he said, "To our party members and supporters, elections are always unpredictable until the end, so I ask you not to relax your vigilance and to humbly appeal to the people for their votes." This is interpreted as cautioning against the remarks by Yoo Si-min, director of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, about the Democratic Party achieving 180 seats.

In response, Lee criticized Yoo Si-min's remarks during a campaign in Gugidong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, the previous day, saying, "Sometimes people outside the (Democratic) party predict election results too hastily," and "Who can say they know the will of the people to speak so recklessly?" In a Facebook post earlier, he also warned, "I am cautious about premature forecasts of election results. I will humble myself more and respect each and every citizen," and urged, "I hope party members and supporters will do the same."

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