Yoon Strengthens 'Yeongnam Core Support'... Visits Park Jeonghee Birthplace, Vows 'Economic Powerhouse'

Campaigning for 2 Days and 1 Night Covering Gyeongbuk Areas Like Sangju and Gimcheon as Well as Gyeongnam Areas Like Yangsan and Gimhae
Also Visiting Former President Park Jeonghee's Birthplace

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is greeting supporters at the "The Power of Sangju, the Agricultural Capital of Korea! A President Who Changes Tomorrow!" campaign rally held on the morning of the 18th at the Pungmul Market in Sangju, Gyeongbuk. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Bo-ryeong] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, will tour the Yeongnam region for one night and two days starting on the 18th. This comes three days after his visit on the 15th. As the election approaches, it is interpreted as an effort to properly take care of his "home base" supporters.

On this day, Candidate Yoon will start in Sangju, Gyeongbuk, then proceed through Gimcheon, Gumi, Chilgok, and head to Daegu. On the 19th, he will continue his campaign by visiting Yangsan, Gimhae, Geoje, Tongyeong, Changwon in Gyeongnam, and Ulsan.

He plans to emphasize region-specific pledges to appeal to voters. In Gimcheon, he will announce plans for the early commencement of the Gimcheon-Geoje Southern Inland Railway. In Gumi, he will express his determination to develop Gumi as a hub for mobility industries such as secondary batteries and future automobiles. In Chilgok, he promises to realize a renaissance era of Nakdong River cultural tourism through greenbelt reorganization and the creation of a national defense belt. In Daegu, he intends to propose early completion of the industrial railway line, attracting companies through the establishment of a national smart technology industrial complex, and the prompt promotion of the integrated Daegu-Gyeongbuk new airport construction.

Additionally, in Yeongnam, known as a "conservative stronghold," he will call out for "justice" and "patriotism." Lee Yang-su, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party’s election campaign headquarters, explained, "Candidate Yoon himself has fought against corruption and resisted injustice, appealing to the sense of justice held by Yeongnam residents," adding, "There is a memorial tower for war veterans in Gimcheon, where he will emphasize patriotism by honoring the veterans."

Through a visit to the birthplace of former President Park Chung-hee included in the day's schedule, he plans to show his commitment to "reviving the economy." Kim Eun-hye, head of public relations for the campaign headquarters, said, "Visiting the birthplace of former President Park, who laid the foundation for industrialization, will boost confidence with the message 'It can be done,' recalling the time when the people stood together hand in hand, and pledging to leap forward to a fully advanced economic powerhouse of the Republic of Korea."

Yoon’s focus on Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) and the Yeongnam region is interpreted as an effort to consolidate his traditional support base. Until now, he had focused on the "westward policy," investing efforts in Honam, and relatively neglected Yeongnam. A campaign official said, "Compared to visits to Honam, visits to Yeongnam were less frequent. Now it means solidifying a stronghold," adding, "It can be seen as strengthening the home base." A People Power Party lawmaker with a constituency in Daegu said, "Daegu residents had felt somewhat neglected, but with the official start of the campaign and today’s visit, Daegu citizens feel that 'Candidate Yoon is paying attention to Daegu,' and the response is positive."

In political circles, it is also seen as a countermeasure against Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, who has been "attacking Yeongnam." Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon analyzed, "Since Lee has been focusing his attacks particularly on the TK area recently, this has a defensive nature," adding, "It shows that Candidate Yoon’s side does not intend to concede even a little."

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