Democratic Party Holds 'Drive-in Campaign' Considering COVID-19 Presidential Election... Also Establishes COVID Situation Room

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The Democratic Party of Korea plans to utilize a drive-in election method to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant and will also operate a COVID-19 situation room for quarantine measures.

On the 10th, the Democratic Party's election committee announced the campaign plan for presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung under the concept of "A Campaign for Everyone, We Together" at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul.

The Democratic Party will hold a drive-in campaign, a method where supporters gather in their cars at an outdoor campaign site and listen to speeches. This approach aims to minimize physical contact while efficiently delivering messages to supporters.

First used during the 2020 U.S. presidential election by then-candidate Joe Biden under the name "Drive-in Town Hall," this campaign method is praised for effectively conveying messages even amid the COVID-19 crisis.

The election committee is considering using a drive-in theater setup to broadcast the candidate's live speech via radio frequency so that supporters can listen from inside their cars.

Considering the widespread Omicron situation, the Democratic Party plans to conduct a campaign that "protects everyone." Deputy Director Shin Hyun-young, a medical doctor, will oversee quarantine measures at the COVID-19 situation room. A separate support team will also be activated at concentrated campaign sites to maintain social distancing.

Communication through the mobile application "Lee Jae-myung Plus," launched at the end of last year, will be strengthened. Anyone can use the app to submit opinions to the candidate or the election committee and communicate directly with election committee staff via messenger.

Kim Nam-guk, head of the online communication team, said, "As an untact election is expected due to COVID-19, online communication is essential. We are identifying grassroots public sentiment through opinions received via the app and reflecting them in the campaign and pledges, and we plan to further strengthen this."

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