Lee's First Step in Busan: "Whether Park Jeonghee or Kim Daejung... I Will Do Everything for the People"

"Even Park Jeonghee's Policies Are Acceptable"
First Campaign Rally in Front of Bujeon Station... Emphasizing National Unity and a Competent Economic President
Announced 7 Major Daegu Pledges Including KTX Daegu Urban Underground and Integrated New Airport

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon, Lee Myung-hwan, Busan·Daegu=Reporter Lee Ki-min] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, began his first official campaign schedule in Busan on the 15th, emphasizing ‘national unity’ and ‘a competent economic president.’ To appeal to public sentiment in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam (PK), as well as Daegu and Gyeongbuk (TK)?regions considered relatively weak for the Democratic Party?he referenced former President Park Chung-hee, who prioritized economic growth, stating, "I will do everything for the people." On the same day, he also announced a pledge to underground the Daegu urban section of the KTX Gyeongbu Line to win over Daegu voters.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At his first rally in front of Busan Bujeon Station that morning, Candidate Lee declared, "I will be the supreme commander to overcome crises, an economic president who makes Korea one of the top five powers, and a president of national unity who brings the hearts of the people together." He added, "The greatest role of the state is to revive the livelihood and economy. Please make a rational choice not out of resentment but for your family, region, and country."

He emphasized ‘unity’ and ‘economic growth.’ Candidate Lee said, "To move forward for the future, all capabilities of Korea must be mobilized," adding, "What does it matter if you are on my side or the other side, from Jeolla or Gyeongsang, Park Chung-hee or Kim Dae-jung? I will do everything for the people." He continued, "I will use competent talents regardless of faction and employ good policies, whether they are Hong Joon-pyo’s or Park Chung-hee’s policies," emphasizing, "That is pragmatism."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The emphasis on ‘not being biased toward factions’ and promoting unity in PK and TK is interpreted as a strategic move based on the assessment that Candidate Lee is relatively trailing Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party’s presidential candidate, in those regions.

According to a recent Realmeter survey (conducted from the 6th to the 11th, targeting 3,040 men and women aged 18 and over, with a 95% confidence level and ±1.8% margin of error), Candidate Lee’s approval rating was 33.4% in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, and 26.0% in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, showing the lowest figures among eight regions. This is far below the Democratic Party’s target vote share of 40-50%. Multiple polls released on the same day also showed support levels of 20-25% in these regions, significantly trailing Yoon’s support, which exceeds 40%.

Candidate Lee’s schedule proceeds from Busan to Daegu, then Daejeon, and finally Seoul. He plans to emphasize regional integration and economic revival, inspired by the fact that logistics starting from Busan Port travel northward to Seoul via the Gyeongbu Line.

At Dongseong-ro in Daegu, he mentioned, "Samsung Sanghoe, founded in Daegu in 1938 by Ho-am Lee Byung-chul, symbolizes Korea’s economic leap," and announced seven major pledges for Daegu. In materials distributed before the rally, Candidate Lee promised ▲ undergrounding the Daegu urban section of the KTX Gyeongbu Line, ▲ establishing an innovative cluster for future electric vehicle parts, ▲ revitalizing the textile industry, and ▲ promoting the integrated Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport by 2028.

In Daejeon, he revealed plans to complete the administrative capital, and at his first concentrated rally in Seoul at the Gangnam Express Bus Terminal, he intends to present measures to curb COVID-19 spread, stabilize the real estate market, and resolve commuting traffic issues.

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is greeting voters on their way to work at Exit 5 of Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 15th. Photo by Lee Myung-hwan

While Candidate Lee campaigns northward along the Gyeongbu Line, the Democratic Party leadership simultaneously supported him in various locations such as Seoul, Gwangju, and Jeonju.

On the same day, former party leader Lee Nak-yeon rallied supporters in Gwangju, former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun gathered supporters in Jeonju, and Party Leader Song Young-gil appealed for support during his morning greeting to commuters in Euljiro, Seoul.

When asked by reporters about voter reactions at the site, Leader Song said, "It seems better than expected," and evaluated, "Yoon’s slogan lacks impact and is self-centered, whereas Candidate Lee’s message of being a ‘president strong in crisis’ is powerful and timely." He emphasized, "By securing 40-50% of the vote in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, where the candidate visited today, we will achieve final victory."

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