Hong 'Targeting Female Voters' · Ryu '5th TK'... Opposition Presidential Candidates Persuading Public and Party Sentiment

Won Hee-ryong Strengthens Childcare Pledge
Focusing on Reinforcing Weaknesses to Secure Supporters

Yoon Seok-yeol (from the right), Hwang Kyo-ahn, Won Hee-ryong, Ha Tae-kyung, Yoo Seung-min, Choi Jae-hyung, Ahn Sang-soo, and Hong Joon-pyo, presidential primary candidates of the People Power Party, are taking a commemorative photo on the 26th at Channel A Studio in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, before the 3rd broadcast debate of the People Power Party's 20th presidential primary. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok and Park Joon-yi] The presidential candidates of the People Power Party spent the 27th, a day without broadcast debates, announcing pledges and conducting regional campaigns to persuade public and party sentiments.

Assemblyman Hong Joon-pyo is currently planning a women's policy pledge. Although he initially intended to announce the women's pledge on this day, it was tentatively postponed due to reasons such as content enhancement. Recently, Hong has captured the 2030 male demographic, forming a two-strong rivalry with former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. However, a weakness noted is that he has relatively failed to attract the interest of the female demographic. Expanding his support base is crucial to turning his rising momentum into a 'storm.' On the 23rd, Hong unusually previewed his pledge announcement by stating, "I plan to comprehensively organize and announce the women's sector pledge." Nonetheless, with gender issues being identified as Hong's biggest weakness, it remains uncertain whether the announcement alone can reverse public opinion trends.

Former Assemblyman Yoo Seung-min toured the Daegu area on this day, visiting party member councils and senior citizen associations. Yoo's visit to Daegu and Gyeongbuk (TK) marked his fifth since declaring his presidential candidacy on the 26th of last month, making it more frequent than any other competitor. Yoo, who forms the third force following the two-strong rivalry between Yoon Seok-youl and Hong Joon-pyo, considers overcoming the TK sentiment?where party members overwhelmingly reside?as key to winning the primary. Oh Shin-hwan, head of Yoo Seung-min's campaign situation room, explained, "Yoo is the only legitimate heir in TK, but there are barriers to overcome in this region. He is scheduling visits to meet party members directly to regain party support."

Former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong announced his 10th pledge, ‘National Chance for Childcare,’ at the National Assembly on this day. The pledge aims to strengthen the state's responsibility to improve the quality of childcare services and ensure tailored services according to age and circumstances. Specifically, it includes △introducing income tax deductions for childcare out-of-pocket expenses △introducing public childcare support projects △family-customized leave systems. Last month, Won also emphasized childcare pledges by proposing a ‘parental allowance’ of 1 million KRW per month for all citizens. Former Prosecutor General Yoon did not schedule any public appearances on this day.

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