'The "Decisive Battle" Honam Region Primary Outside Campaign Draws Thousands of Supporters, Heating Up'

Thousands of Supporters Gather for Each Candidate in Enthusiastic Cheers

On the afternoon of the 25th, the first day of the Honam region primary for the Democratic Party presidential candidate, supporters of each candidate are passionately cheering in front of the Kim Dae-jung Center in Gwangju Metropolitan City.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] On the afternoon of the 25th, the first day of the Honam region primary, considered the biggest battleground between direct entry to the Democratic Party presidential election final and the runoff, the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City was heated up even outside the venue.

Thousands gathered as passionate cheering battles of supporters of the five candidates took place.

Three hours before the joint speech event of the candidates began, around 12 PM, supporters pitched tents in an open space and displayed banners and stickers to show off their strength.

Supporters continued their enthusiastic cheering holding placards and balloons with slogans put forth by their respective candidates.

Supporters of candidate Lee Jae-myung shouted the official slogan “Lee Jae-myung Does It” while holding balloons inscribed with “Basic Income” to cheer. Some shouted “TV Chosun·Chosun Ilbo OUT,” protesting distorted reports related to the “Daejang-dong Development Suspicion.”

They also sang “March for the Beloved” and danced on their shoulders while shouting “Lee Jae-myung.”

Supporters of candidate Lee Nak-yeon also gathered. They energetically shouted in the Jeolla dialect, the candidate’s hometown dialect, phrases like “Saranghandangkke” and “Jikyeojundangkke.”

They lined up to receive goods such as “Yeon” and “Pinwheel,” named after the candidate. When the candidate entered the crowd, cheers followed, and one supporter handed over a blue rose in support.

Supporters of candidate Chu Mi-ae waved balloons and placards with the phrase “Chupung Dangdang.” Inside and outside the booth, banners reading “Time of Cho Kuk” and “Prosecutors Out” were noticeable.

At the booth supporting candidate Kim Du-kwan, supporters wearing yellow vests labeled “No Moo-hyun Spirit Succession Solidarity” held V signs representing candidate Kim’s number 2 and shouted his name.

Meanwhile, on the first day of the Honam region primary, voting took place in Gwangju and Jeonnam, and on the second day, the 26th, in Jeonbuk.

The results of the delegate and party member votes from Gwangju and Jeonnam are expected to be announced around 6 PM that day.

In political circles, it is anticipated that the primary results in the Honam region will effectively determine the overall primary race.

According to the first Super Week tally on the 12th, candidate Lee held a majority first place with 51.41%, while former governor Lee came in second with 31.08%.

After former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun withdrew mid-race, the party election commission treated his votes as invalid, raising candidate Lee’s share to 53.71% and former representative Lee’s to 32.46%.

The remaining schedule for the Democratic Party presidential primary candidates includes October 1 in Jeju, October 2 in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, October 3 in Incheon (second Super Week), October 9 in Gyeonggi, and October 10 in Seoul (third Super Week).

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