Yoon Seok-yeol Strengthens PK Support Base... Choi Jae-hyung Embarks on Security Moves

Countdown to Party Entry Yoon Seok-yeol Visits Busan
Meets with Busan Mayor Park Hyung-jun and Has Lunch with Busan Area Lawmakers
Choi Jae-hyung Visits UN Forces Crematorium
Also Holds Meeting with Displaced Persons

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol visited Busan for a 'listening to public sentiment' schedule. Amid speculation that his entry into the People Power Party is imminent, he appears to be solidifying the opposition's key support base following Daegu. Former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung continued his security-related activities by visiting the UN forces' crematorium on the Korean War Armistice Day.

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is inspecting the Busan North Port redevelopment site on the morning of the 27th and shaking hands with Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Former Prosecutor General Yoon visited Daejeon on the 6th, Gwangju on the 17th, Daegu on the 20th, and Busan on the 27th. During this schedule, Yoon not only listened to local public sentiment but also strengthened his rapport with People Power Party lawmakers. After visiting the Bukhang redevelopment site with Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon, he held a press conference and paid respects at the Democracy Park. In the afternoon, he had lunch with Busan-area lawmakers and held a meeting with merchants at Jagalchi Market.

At the press conference, Yoon did not provide a clear answer regarding his entry into the People Power Party. However, he repeatedly expressed his intention to make a decision without delay. He said, "I will conclude and inform you so that you do not have to wait long." He also stated that he would continue his public sentiment listening activities regardless of party entry. He said, "Entering the party does not mean I will stop efforts to expand outreach," adding, "Sharing the will for national normalization based on common sense remains unchanged regardless of which party it is."

He also announced a meeting with former People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in. Yoon said, "I have decided to meet former Chairman Kim soon," adding, "It seems he is on vacation, but I plan to meet him after he returns." Regarding recruiting Kim's associates into the election campaign, he explained, "I do not know well who is close to former Chairman Kim," and added, "Since I received broad recommendations, it seems there are such connections."

On the 27th, the Korean War Armistice Agreement Memorial Day, Choi Jae-hyung, former Auditor General and presidential candidate of the People Power Party, visited the United Nations Command crematorium facility in Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do, and toured the site.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Among opposition presidential candidates, Yoon, who ranks first in approval ratings, demonstrated his strength by raising 2,565.45 million won in donations in just one day the previous day. According to Yoon's campaign, the total number of donors was 21,279, of which 94.7% were small donors contributing less than 100,000 won.

On the other hand, former Chairman Choi focused on 'security' in his activities. On the same day, he visited the UN forces' crematorium located in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province. This day marks the Korean War Armistice Day and the UN forces' participation day. It is interpreted as an expression of gratitude and repayment to those who shed blood and sweat during the Korean War.

Regarding the restoration of the inter-Korean communication hotline after 13 months, Choi said, "I think it is a means to maintain peace between the South and the North to prevent sudden misunderstandings and conflicts." However, he criticized the Moon Jae-in administration's approach to North Korea, saying, "Peace is not maintained by words," and added, "It can only be maintained with will and capability."

Following this, Choi focused on listening to the stories of displaced persons. A campaign official for Choi explained, "The Korean War was a global joint response to protect the free Republic of Korea," and added, "The visit was made with the meaning that a strong security posture must be established to avoid war."

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