Ruling and Opposition Party Battle Analysis: "The Beginning of a Comeback" vs "Nothing Has Changed"

Lee Nak-yeon "Seoul Mayoral Election Within 3% Margin"
Kim Jong-in to KBS "Is This the Right Attitude for a Public Broadcaster?"

On the 29th, ballot papers to be used in the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election are being printed at a printing company in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province. / Anyang - Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] On the 29th, when the 4th disaster relief fund payments begin, the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) analyzed the by-election race as either "neck-and-neck" or "a turnaround." Various opinion polls show that both Seoul and Busan are trailing outside the margin of error, but it appears they are trying to create momentum for a reversal. The attacks on the moral allegations against People Power Party (PPP) candidates Oh Se-hoon and Park Hyung-joon are intensifying. The PPP is counterattacking these offensives as "black propaganda" and is trying to connect current approval ratings to actual election results.

Lee Nak-yeon, the DPK's Standing Election Committee Chairperson, said at the Central Election Committee meeting that day, "Today, the disaster relief payments begin," adding, "The public may feel it is insufficient. We will not be complacent with this but will carefully respond to the livelihood and economy as needed."

This emphasized that despite government concerns, the DPK actively pushed for the 4th disaster relief payments. After the land speculation scandal involving some employees of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) in new town development sites, public sentiment sharply shifted toward a "regime judgment theory." The DPK desperately needs a turning point. They claimed that public sentiment differs from the poll results.

Lee appeared on TBS Radio's "Kim Eo-jun's News Factory" and said, "We humbly accept that there is a lot of anger and disappointment among the public at the grassroots level. However, the election will ultimately be a close contest."

Regarding the basis for this outlook, he said, "We have scientific analyses of polls and precedents from past elections, so (in Seoul) the contest will be decided within a 3% margin." He also mentioned, "When you look at the grassroots, there is a certain current that feels somewhat different from the polls."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Hoon-sik also appeared on KBS Radio that day, saying, "The beginning of a turnaround is gradually starting, and the gap is narrowing," adding, "Although it is not an easy election, as official campaigning begins, the support base is consolidating." The DPK is focusing on maximizing organizational power through election campaigns involving all party members' acquaintances. Kang also claimed, "Oh Se-hoon's lies are growing bigger, and distrust is expanding."

The People Power Party emphasized that public sentiment aligns with poll results but appeared cautious about a backlash. PPP lawmaker Sung Il-jong, who appeared on the same broadcast, said, "There seems to be no significant change in the major trend of polls," adding, "We cannot say we have the winning momentum, and we must remain humble and do our best until the end."

Polls reflect public sentiment trends, and the PPP maintains an advantage in terms of direction. The PPP leadership is focusing on blocking the ruling party's offensives by concentrating criticism on the real estate mismanagement centered on the LH scandal.

Kim Jong-in, the PPP Emergency Committee Chairperson, said at the Central Election Committee meeting that day, "Whenever something happens, fundamental measures are not taken, and it ends up being a flash in the pan," adding, "The government should be alert to the fact that public anger does not subside and present concrete measures related to real estate."

Regarding KBS, which reported allegations against candidate Oh Se-hoon, he said, "I want to ask if it is the attitude of a public broadcaster to engage in biased reporting favoring a specific party during the election," adding, "I hope for fairness, considering the historical consequences that occurred after unfair broadcasts during elections."

Joo Ho-young, the PPP floor leader, said, "The DPK's black propaganda has gone too far," adding, "It is especially serious in Busan. They are greatly exaggerating minor mistakes or misunderstandings of candidate Park Hyung-joon." He then launched an attack on DPK candidate Kim Young-choon, saying, "There is a confession and a recording that the main culprit of the Lime case, Kim Bong-hyun, gave 150 million won to candidate Kim. I hope he clarifies his position."

Joo continued, "Early voting is the same as the main vote. Let's judge the DPK with an overwhelming turnout," emphasizing the "judgment theory" by saying, "Let's decisively end the real estate bomb, tax bomb, and judicial corruption disguised as prosecutorial reform with this vote."

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