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On the evening of the 31st of last month, during the 10th joint debate of the People Power Party's presidential primary candidates held at the KBS studio in Yeouido, Seoul, presidential primary candidates Won Hee-ryong (from left), Yoon Seok-yeol, Yoo Seung-min, and Hong Joon-pyo posed before the start of the debate. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporters Kum Boryeong and Park Juni] On the day before the People Power Party's presidential candidate selection, the primary candidates launched their final campaigns. Representative Hong Jun-pyo, former Representative Yoo Seung-min, and former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong focused on 'anti-government struggle' by demanding a special prosecution for the 'Daejang-dong Gate' scandal involving Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate. Meanwhile, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, who is partially implicated in the matter, chose a strategy of securing public support by visiting sites related to people’s livelihoods.

On the morning of the 4th, former Representative Yoo and former Governor Won visited the 'Daejang-dong Gate Special Prosecution Promotion Tent Protest Headquarters' set up at the National Assembly and urged the introduction of a special prosecution.

Former Representative Yoo arrived at the protest site with a resolute expression, saying, "I believe the people and party members will look to the future and demonstrate the power of collective intelligence," and expressed confidence by adding, "I especially think that the sentiment among the younger generation is rising rapidly." Oh Shin-hwan, chief of the comprehensive situation room for Yoo’s campaign, explained, "We are calmly encouraging and waiting until the very end," and added, "Considering the high voter turnout among party members and the accessibility for young people, we have high expectations."

At 10 a.m., former Governor Won visited the tent with a placard reading 'Special Prosecution Now' attached to both his front and back. Won said, "I believe that for the urgent desire for regime change, the most responsible judgment and choice will be made," and added, "Regardless of the outcome, I will do my best in the role given for regime change." Shin Bora, chief spokesperson for Won’s campaign, said, "The final strategy is to continuously appeal that he is the candidate prepared as the 'Lee Jae-myung sniper.'"

Representative Hong visited the People Power Party Gyeonggi Province Committee that morning. In Gyeonggi Province, the stronghold of candidate Lee who was formerly governor there, he urged a special prosecution for the Daejang-dong Gate and loudly called for an end to government-led election manipulation. He plans to conclude his campaign by touring the streets around Hongdae in Seoul that afternoon. Yeo Myung, spokesperson for Hong’s campaign, said, "He received overwhelming support from the youth and plans to finish with an image showing a dynamic figure who is necessary for the regime’s victory." Hong’s camp is confident about being 'unconditionally first.' Lee Eon-ju, co-chair of the election countermeasures committee, said, "The trend has long tilted toward Representative Hong," and predicted, "He will win by more than a 10% margin."

Former Prosecutor General Yoon toured the Uijeongbu, Pocheon, and Yeoncheon areas in Gyeonggi Province to capture on-site public sentiment. Considering that small business owners suffered due to COVID-19, his strategy is to demonstrate through actions the message of 'helping restore daily life.' Kim Byung-min, spokesperson for Yoon’s campaign, said, "If he comes to power, as he mentioned prioritizing daily life recovery after COVID-19, he empathizes with the difficulties faced by self-employed people and expresses his determination to solve these problems." Yoon’s campaign is also confident of victory. Ha Tae-kyung, co-chair of the campaign committee, said, "Since the proportion of new party members aged 50 and over is higher than those in their 20s, the higher the party member turnout, the more advantageous it is for former Prosecutor General Yoon," and added, "I expect a double-digit gap."

The People Power Party will hold a party convention at 2 p.m. on the 5th at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Yongsan, Seoul, officially selecting the presidential candidate by reflecting 50% of party member votes and 50% of general public opinion polls. As of the day before, the party member turnout rate was recorded at 61.46%.

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