Seoul Departure Ceremony Yoon: "An Election to Judge Corruption and Incompetence, and Unite the Republic of Korea"

Opening Ceremony Held at Cheonggye Plaza... Emphasizing Small Business Support and Housing Price Stability
Also Highlighting 'Unity' Alongside Symbolic Social Figures

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, is attending the 'Yoon Seok-yeol Raised by the People' kickoff rally held at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul on the 15th, waving to supporters. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporters Kum Boryeong, Park Junyi, Kang Joohee] Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, launched his official campaign on the 15th, embarking on a campaign trail focused on 'livelihood' and 'unity.' Promising to embrace all generations and the vulnerable, he traveled from Daejeon and Daegu to Busan, pledging regional integration.

At the kickoff rally held at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul, Candidate Yoon stated, "This election is a judgment on corruption and incompetence, a vote to revive livelihoods, and an election to unify the Republic of Korea." The campaign vehicle he rode bore the slogan 'Candidate No. 2' along with phrases such as 'Yoon Seok-yeol, nurtured by the people, the president who changes tomorrow' and 'Regime change.' As Yoon raised both arms high, supporters applauded and cheered.

Yoon criticized the past five years under the Democratic Party government, saying, "How was the Democratic Party government over the last five years? It divided the people with outdated ideology." He raised his voice, "Will the people just stand by as the Republic of Korea, which they have protected, continues to collapse under an incompetent and corrupt political force? We must definitely judge this corrupt and incompetent Democratic Party government through regime change."

He also declared, "We will revive small business owners and self-employed people devastated by COVID-19, and firmly control housing prices for youth and ordinary citizens. We will revive the economy and create proper jobs," adding, "Only livelihoods lie ahead of Yoon Seok-yeol."

The rally featured figures symbolizing unity from various sectors of society. The national anthem was accompanied on piano by Kim Yeji, a visually impaired People Power Party lawmaker, while Byun Seung-il, president of the Korea Deaf Association, performed it in sign language. Also present were Strukerba Dina, a granddaughter of Sakhalin migrant workers and a working mom, and Yoon Cheong-ja, a bereaved family member of the Cheonan ship incident. During Yoon's speech, a sign language interpreter was busy translating on one side.

The People Power Party leadership was fully mobilized. Party leader Lee Jun-seok, with a hoarse voice, took the stage and said, "I am confident that Candidate Yoon can break free from conventional political formulas and bring new politics," adding, "He has gained active support from the 2030 generation like no other presidential candidate before. Isn't this what new politics is?" Alongside floor leader Kim Ki-hyun and election committee chief Kwon Young-se, former Board of Audit and Inspection chief Choi Jae-hyung, who is running as a 'running mate' with Yoon in the March 9 by-election for Seoul Jongno district, also appeared.

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is waving to supporters at the "Yoon Seok-yeol Raised by the People" kickoff rally held on the 15th at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Supporters cheered for Candidate Yoon as well. They held placards and Taegeukgi flags bearing slogans such as 'The president who changes tomorrow' and 'Fairness, justice, common sense,' shouting cheers toward Yoon. A young person on stage said, "Please return to us the words fairness and justice, which we thought were natural values that had disappeared from our society," and added, "Let the 2030 generation no longer feel a sense of loss from watching the news but instead have hope to move toward the future."

Earlier, Yoon began his official campaign by paying respects at the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery in Dongjak, Seoul. In the guestbook, he wrote, "I will build a proud country together with the great people of the Republic of Korea, protected by our patriotic martyrs," expressing his determination to win the election.

After the kickoff rally, Yoon embarked on a 'downward Gyeongbu Line campaign' sweeping through Daejeon, Daegu, and Busan. In Daejeon's Euneungjeongi Street, he emphasized plans for an administrative capital, balanced national development, and establishing a core foundation for science and technology. In Daegu, known as the 'heart of conservatism,' he announced regional core strategies centered on the textile, automobile, and robotics industries at Dongdaegu Station Plaza. His final destination, Busan, will feature a campaign themed 'An era of fairness and common sense with youth.' He plans to unveil development plans for Busan, including the 2030 Busan Expo bid and the construction of the new Gadeokdo airport. Notably, Party leader Lee will join in Busan to boost support for Yoon. Instead of a 5-ton campaign truck, Lee plans to ride a small cargo vehicle, visiting the mountain villages and alleys of Busan to appeal for support for Candidate Yoon.

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