Lee, Yoon, Shim, and Ahn: Election Strategies Revealed in Campaign Routes Three Days Before the Presidential Election

Lee Jae-myung Campaigns in Busan, Seoul, and More
Democratic Party Leadership Tours Nationwide
Yoon Seok-yeol Holds Joint Campaigns with By-election Candidates
Sim Sang-jung Expands Contact Points with Grassroots Outreach

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok, Gu Chae-eun, Park Joon-yi] During the presidential election period, candidates' movements are both an election strategy and a message in themselves. Where they visit and whom they meet are strategically decided based on thorough public opinion survey trends and election strategies. The official three-day campaign period revealed the main candidates' future campaign target areas and the types of election activities they plan to carry out.

◆ Lee, Simultaneous Campaigning Leveraging Organizational Strength = Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, showed a campaign schedule on the first day of official campaigning on the 15th, traveling from Busan to Daegu, Daejeon, and then up to Seoul. On the second day, he campaigned around the Gangnam area in Seoul, and on the third day, he planned to cover northern Seoul areas such as Nowon-gu, Gwanghwamun, Seongdong-gu, and Hongdae. At the same time, the Democratic Party leadership, including General Election Committee Chairman Lee Nak-yeon, Party Leader Song Young-gil, Floor Leader Yoon Ho-jung, and Senior Advisor Chung Sye-kyun, conducted simultaneous campaigns in various regions such as Honam, Gyeonggi Province, and Gangwon Province. This reflects the Democratic Party's absolute advantage in organizational strength. The party also separately operates specialized campaign teams such as the ‘Nangrang Campaign Team’ involving first-time youth voters, the ‘Jae-myung’s Campaign Team’ focusing on regional balance, and the ‘Eco-friendly Sweep Campaign Team.’ In the past, the Democratic Party gained favorable responses by conducting public opinion campaigns in areas the presidential candidate could not visit through these special task forces.

Woo Sang-ho, the Democratic Party’s General Election Headquarters Chief, said, "In the early stages of the election, (Candidate Lee) visited weak and disadvantaged areas first. On the first day, he visited the express bus terminal, and on the second day, Gangnam Station, both weak areas," adding, "On the 18th and 19th, he plans to visit the traditional support base in Honam to consolidate support there." The underlying strategy is to raise support in weak areas first, then firmly secure votes in strongholds.

Additionally, considering the COVID-19 situation, the Democratic Party plans to conduct drive-in style campaigns, a method used by U.S. President Joe Biden during his election. Drive-in campaigns involve supporters participating in the campaign while remaining inside their vehicles at the campaign site.

◆ Yoon, Ground-level Campaigning from Bases = Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party presidential candidate, started his campaign on the first day with a Gyeongbu Line route from Seoul to Busan, followed by a nationwide cross-shaped campaign on the second day from Gwangju to Jeonju, Cheongju, and then to Wonju. On the third day, he campaigned in Gyeonggi Province and Seoul areas.

Yoon’s campaign notably strengthens ties with five concurrent National Assembly by-elections. For example, on the third day of campaigning, Yoon held joint campaigns with candidates running in by-elections such as Kim Hak-yong in Anseong, Gyeonggi, Choi Jae-hyung in Jongno, Seoul, and Cho Eun-hee in Seocho-gap, Seoul. While the Democratic Party decided not to field candidates in three areas including Jongno and Anseong, loosening the connection between the presidential and by-elections, the People Power Party actively utilizes the by-elections.

Moreover, the People Power Party leadership, including Party Leader Lee Jun-seok, conducted grassroots campaigns in Busan and Gyeongnam before joining Yoon’s base campaigns. On the first day of official campaigning, Lee rode on a small truck touring Busan’s alleys before joining Yoon’s base campaign in Busan. Even before the official campaign, Lee was responsible for gauging local sentiment ahead of Yoon’s visit to Honam.

Yoon plans to visit traditional strongholds over the weekend. Lee Yang-su, the People Power Party’s senior spokesperson, stated, "On the 18th and 19th, he will visit Daegu, Gyeongbuk, Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam."

◆ Sim, Promoting Progressive Candidate; Ahn, Targeting Conservatives = Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, campaigned for two days in Honam, conducting grassroots activities, then visited Ulsan. Sim is conducting campaigns linked to the ‘Erased People Campaign.’ Lee Dong-young, the Justice Party’s senior spokesperson, explained, "The decision to start campaigning in Honam, especially Jeonbuk, was because Honam faces the crisis of regional extinction." Sim’s campaign style emphasizes the progressive party’s awareness of issues while campaigning for the presidency.

Unlike other candidates who frequently move between regions, Sim’s campaign focuses on staying in one area to increase contact points. This reflects a strategy to save travel time and increase the number of people met.

Ahn Cheol-soo, the People’s Party presidential candidate, campaigned in Daegu and Gyeongbuk on the first day. Having declared centrism, grown up in Busan, and served as a Seoul-area lawmaker, Ahn targeted weak areas. After registering as a presidential candidate, Ahn made a sudden proposal for unification with Yoon, and his visit to conservative-leaning regions suggests a strategic move considering unification based on public opinion polls.

However, after campaign workers and drivers lost their lives on the first day of campaigning, the campaign has been suspended, with members staying at the funeral halls of the victims.

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