[Issue Summary] "Choose Me!" Lee Jae-myung vs Yoon Seok-youl... The Presidential Race Begins

[Asia Economy Reporters Seunggon Han, PD Jingeun Yoon] "I will do anything!", "Corrupt and incompetent Democratic Party regime!"

The official campaign for the 20th presidential election officially began today (15th) at midnight. Candidates took the stage during their campaign rallies to appeal to voters. Despite the COVID-19 situation, large crowds gathered and familiar campaign scenes such as rhythmic movements by campaign workers were seen in many places.

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate, visited Busan Port at midnight. He plans to finish the first day’s so-called 'Gyeongbu Line' campaign by traveling through Daegu and Daejeon before heading to Seoul.

At the Bujeon Station rally, Lee emphasized, "Politics is about not dividing sides, but maximizing what needs to be done so that we can create a better life, a happier life, and a more hopeful future."

He continued, "What does it matter if you are on my side or your side? What does it matter if you are from Jeolla Province or Gyeongsang Province? What does it matter if you are Park Chung-hee or Kim Dae-jung? If it helps the people, I will do anything," he appealed.

Yoon, after paying respects at the National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, in the morning, officially started his campaign with a rally in Cheonggye Plaza. He will then finish his campaign in Busan after visiting Daejeon and Daegu.

At the campaign kickoff rally in Cheonggye Plaza, Yoon criticized the Moon Jae-in administration, saying, "The Democratic Party regime over the past five years has brought suffering to the people," and asked, "Will you just watch as the Republic of Korea, which the people have protected, continues to collapse under incompetent and corrupt political forces?"

He raised his voice, saying, "Let us definitely judge this corrupt and incompetent Democratic Party regime through regime change," and "I will make a safe country for all Korean people. I will protect Korea with strong security. I will firmly respond to North Korea’s nuclear weapons, missiles, and provocations to protect the lives and safety of our people."

Ahn began his campaign in front of Hyundai Department Store in Jung-gu, Daegu. He emphasized, "I started politics to solve youth issues. I will create youth jobs and future food sources," and "Reducing youth suicide rates and increasing birth rates are the goals of politics."

Shim held a kickoff rally at the intersection near Lotte Department Store in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, and appealed, "You cannot find the spirit of the times, vision, or policies in the pledges of the two major parties," and "I, Shim Sang-jung, am the only candidate left to open pluralistic democracy beyond the 35-year two-party system." He added, "Now, I will end the era of economic presidents and open the era of green and welfare presidents," appealing to voters by saying, "Changing the grim realities such as the highest suicide rate in the OECD, highest elderly poverty rate, and highest industrial accident death rate is the vision of the welfare state that Shim Sang-jung talks about."

Meanwhile, the spouses of the presidential candidates did not appear at the campaign sites today. It seems they are taking a breather amid the so-called 'spouse risk' controversies that have recently surfaced. Yoon’s spouse, Kim Geon-hee, was involved in the '7-hour phone call recording' controversy, and Lee’s spouse, Kim Hye-kyung, faced criticism over 'excessive protocol.'

Ahn’s wife, Kim Mi-kyung, was recently diagnosed with COVID-19 and is currently undergoing treatment. Shim Sang-jung’s husband, Lee Seung-bae, attended the kickoff rally at the Jeonju Lotte Department Store intersection at 11 a.m. today. He is expected to accompany Shim in future campaign schedules as well.

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