Democratic Party, Will It Go to a Runoff or Not... Lee vs Lee, The Fateful 'Myeong-Nak Showdown'

Ahead of Honam Region Voting on 25-26, Campaigning Heats Up
Lee Nak-yeon Appeals for Overwhelming Support: "Cannot Be an Unstable Candidate... Honam's Choice Has Always Been Just"
Lee Jae-myung Urges: "Please Become the Leading Force for the Birth of Lee Jae-myung's Reform Government"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] As the Democratic Party's Honam region primary elections approach on the 25th and 26th, the strategic battle between Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung and former party leader Lee Nak-yeon is intensifying. In the so-called '1st Super Week,' the revealed results of one-third of the total electorate showed that the majority chose Governor Lee, but depending on the outcome in the Honam region, the Democratic Party's stronghold, the subsequent metropolitan area primary voting could also be affected. Therefore, each campaign is putting their all into the Honam primary.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the morning of the 22nd, former leader Lee held a press conference at the Jeonbuk Provincial Council press room, courting the residents of Jeonbuk. At the event, Lee said, "We cannot be an unstable candidate; we must enter the general election as a safe candidate," and appealed, "If more time is needed for judgment, please decide to proceed to a runoff vote."

He also emphasized his roots in the Honam region by saying, "Both my maternal and paternal families are from Jeonbuk." Lee's hometown is Yeonggwang, Jeonnam, and his wife, Kim Sook-hee, is from Sunchang, Jeonbuk. Another key factor is how much support he can absorb from the supporters of former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, who is from Jinan, Jeonbuk, and withdrew from the presidential race midway. Since June, Kim has been volunteering weekly in Gwangju and Jeonnam, actively supporting her husband early on.

Lee raised his voice, saying, "The choice of Honam has always been just and always Democratic," and added, "I will wait for Jeonbuk's command. Please give me overwhelming support." He continued, "Jeonbuk's choice will be Lee Nak-yeon's path."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Governor Lee also issued a special press statement for Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk on the same day. He posted the statement on Facebook, saying, "This presidential election is the final battle against entrenched vested interests and corrupt forces," and stressed that 'centrism and expansion' are important for this.

He said, "People must believe and expect that 'If this person becomes president, my life will change; with this person, a better tomorrow is possible,'" and added, "We must gain the hearts of progressives, centrists, and even conservatives, and receive balanced support from all regions and generations nationwide." He emphasized, "I, Lee Jae-myung, am that candidate."

Having confirmed his 'dominance theory' with over 50% support in the first Super Week, Governor Lee plans to solidify his path to the general election without a runoff.

The Democratic Party will decide the final candidate in the Seoul touring primary on October 10. If no candidate receives a majority, a runoff between the top two will be held 4-5 days later. In the previously held primaries in Chungcheong (75,000 voters), Daegu-Gyeongbuk (16,000 voters), and Gangwon (16,000 voters), Governor Lee won by a majority.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, Lee Nak-yeon's camp is aiming for a turnaround in the Honam region. The Honam electorate numbers about 200,000, far exceeding Chungcheong, Daegu-Gyeongbuk, and Gangwon. If they succeed in overturning the situation, it is expected to greatly influence the primary atmospheres in Jeju (October 1, 13,000 voters), Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (October 2, 62,000 voters), and Incheon (October 3, 22,000 voters).

Lee Nak-yeon is highlighting the differences between himself and Governor Lee, who is facing moral controversies and recent allegations of preferential treatment in the Seongnam Daejang-dong development project. When asked by reporters about "What should have been done if the Daejang-dong development was poorly designed," he pointed out, "Private developers should have a certain profit, but society needs to judge whether it is acceptable or excessive."

On the other hand, Governor Lee questioned on Facebook, "Isn't it commendable that the Daejang-dong private development project, stained with illegality and bribery, was converted into a public development, recovering 550 billion won for the public?" He appealed to Honam voters, saying, "If there had been even a speck of dust or a single won of corruption, Lee Jae-myung would have been crushed. The democracy that Honam protected with blood has created an advanced model country admired worldwide. Please become the protagonists of the fourth democratic government and the Lee Jae-myung reform government."

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