Lee "Yoon, the mastermind of Daejang-dong, 100% certain"

"Let All Political Forces Unite"
Love Call to Ahn Cheol-soo Too
Promoting Unified Government Theory in Chungcheong Region

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, is accelerating efforts to promote the idea of a unified government. Following the mention of a ‘unified government’ in the manifesto released the previous day, he once again called on all political forces on the 23rd, saying, "This is a love call not only to candidate Ahn Cheol-soo but to all political forces," signaling a move to consolidate power. Considering that Lee began a 1-night, 2-day campaign tour in the Chungcheong region, known as a swing vote area, from that day, the ‘unified government’ concept is expected to emerge as a central election strategy.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, Lee appeared on MBC Radio and, when asked whether his idea of a so-called unified government through a responsible prime minister and a people's cabinet was a love call to candidate Ahn, he replied, "It can be called a love call for all political forces to come together," but emphasized, "A political structure that allows for public choice and healthy competition through a multi-party system, as well as a unified government, is also what he (candidate Ahn) mentioned." He added, "There are overlapping parts in candidate Ahn’s political reform," and stressed, "The goals are the same, and if there is a possible way, finding it is necessary for the people."

Lee’s remarks are interpreted as a move to capitalize on momentum following candidate Ahn’s announcement of the failure of unification talks, and a recent poll showing Lee (35.4%) ahead of candidate Yoon (25.4%). On the other hand, regarding the Daejang-dong scandal, Lee sharply stated, "I am 100% certain that Yoon Seok-youl of the People Power Party is the mastermind." He emphasized, "Yoon is the one who allowed the criminal group to secure seed money despite investigations," and said, "In fact, this case is the Yoon Seok-youl Gate."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the afternoon of the same day, Lee toured Chungnam Dangjin, Cheonan, Sejong, and Chungbuk Cheongju, sweeping through the Chungcheong region, considered a casting vote area. On the 24th, he plans to visit Chungbuk Chungju and Gangwon areas to seal the gap with a margin beyond the margin of error in these ultra-close battleground regions.

According to a public opinion poll conducted by Korea Information Research on behalf of NewsPim (on the 21st, targeting 1,002 people aged 18 and over, with a 95% confidence level and a ±3.1% margin of error), overall, candidate Yoon (44.0%) slightly led candidate Lee (39.5%) within the margin of error, but in Chungcheong and Gangwon, Lee led with 43.1% to Yoon’s 42.1%, showing an ultra-close race. In the previous survey (on the 12th), Yoon led Lee by 4.9 percentage points in this region with 43.7% to 38.8%, but the failure of unification talks between Yoon and Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party weakened the momentum for regime change, significantly narrowing the gap.

Lee is poised to exploit this gap and focus all efforts on capturing the wavering central region’s votes. While hinting at political alliances to absorb undecided voters, he also sent a love call to candidate Ahn. In previous campaigns, Lee emphasized the keywords ‘overcoming crisis, economy, and unity,’ but in the Chungcheong campaign, he stressed ‘confidence in victory and strengthening the candidate’s image.’ He also highlighted candidate Yoon’s remarks on THAAD deployment, saying, "The Russia-Ukraine situation negatively affects our stock market," and stressed, "This impacts the global economy, and peace on the Korean Peninsula must be preserved at all costs." Additionally, during the Sejong campaign, he plans to promise the promotion of the National Assembly Sejong branch, early construction of the Daejeon-Sejong-Cheongju metropolitan railroad, and the Sejong-Cheongju expressway.

For detailed information regarding the public opinion poll, please refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.

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