Sim Sang-jung Declares 'Determination to Win' in Wanju: "I Am the Only One Left Between the Two Major Parties"

"Making a Big Party Kneel to a Small Party Is Not Integrated Politics"

Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party's presidential candidate, is greeting citizens after finishing the 2030 Pride campaign at Yeonnam-dong Yeontral Park, Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 6th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Sim Sang-jung, the presidential candidate of the Justice Party, recently emphasized her "determination to complete the presidential race," referring to the case of Ahn Cheol-soo, the leader of the People’s Party, who recently withdrew from the race. She criticized, "Is it integration politics for a big party to make smaller parties kneel?" and urged, "Please protect Sim Sang-jung, the last one standing between the two major parties."

On the 6th, Sim campaigned in areas with a high youth population such as Hongdae, Sillim, Gwanak, and Gangnam in Seoul, saying, "Protect Sim Sang-jung and protect the voices of the powerless 90%."

She continued, "The candidates of the two major parties are creating the most disliked election in history, yet they form a scrum between the two camps and instill fear by saying that if the opposing candidate wins, South Korea will collapse, thereby lining up voters," and argued, "Will you choose the less bad president, or will you cast a precious vote for your future?"

She added, "The reason the doors of opportunity have narrowed for young people is politics itself," emphasizing, "Because the two major parties, representing only the top 10% in South Korea for 35 years, have monopolized politics, South Korea has become the most unequal country among developed nations."

She also mentioned Ahn, who withdrew from the race after abruptly announcing unification with Yoon Seok-youl, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, on the 3rd.

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, and Ahn Cheol-soo, the leader of the People Party, are shaking hands after concluding a unification press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the morning of the 3rd. / Photo by Yonhap News

She said, "'Ahn, who called for 'judgment on two-party politics,' has knelt before candidate Yoon," but added, "I have no intention of criticizing Ahn. I know better than anyone how difficult it is for a minority party to survive, keep its convictions, and take responsibility amid the two major parties that monopolize all resources and constantly pressure and coax."

She continued, "Is it integration politics for a big party to make smaller parties kneel because they lack votes during elections and force them to submit? True integration politics is politics that does not exclude those with weak voices, ignore those who have nothing, or ostracize the weak."

Meanwhile, Sim has recently reiterated her intention to complete the presidential race as a "three-way race."

At a press conference held on the 3rd, when opposition unification was achieved, she said, "As someone who hoped to achieve political change beyond the two major parties by competing and cooperating with candidate Ahn in this election, I feel very sorry and regretful," and pointed out, "The public’s disappointment in summoning candidate Ahn as an alternative in the third zone will also be great."

She added, "There is no wasted vote. The vote given to Sim Sang-jung will be a vivid 'live vote' that creates regime change and a better life for citizens," and asked for support, saying, "Please become the protagonist of great political change. End the 35-year two-party political system and open the new dawn of political change that vigorously ushers in a new multiparty coalition government."

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