[Local Election D-2 Report] Hoarse Voice, Tearful Eyes... Fierce Final Campaign Battle Between Gyeonggi-do's Kim-Kim

Hoarse Kim Dong-yeon "Touring Gyeonggi Province, It's Desperate"
Emotional Kim Eun-hye "Solving Traffic Issues with Oh Se-hoon"
Ruling and Opposition Leaders Also Go All Out in Campaign

[Asia Economy Reporters Junyi Park, Hyunji Kwon, Chaeun Koo] Two days before the June 1 local elections, the voices of candidates in Gyeonggi-do, the most fiercely contested area, were hoarse. Their throats were strained from shouting loudly during the campaign, yet they continued to raise their voices. Kim Dong-yeon, the Democratic Party candidate, who is on a "Blue 31 Grand March" tour covering 31 cities and counties in Gyeonggi-do over three days, earnestly appealed to residents, while Kim Eun-hye, the People Power Party candidate, who started campaigning early in the morning, shed tears emphasizing the hardships of Gyeonggi residents.

Candidate Kim Dong-yeon began his campaign at 9 a.m. on the 30th in front of Gapyeong Market in Gyeonggi-do. Even before the campaign started, about 20 campaign workers and 10 residents danced and sang along to the campaign music, raising the atmosphere. Kim Dong-yeon appeared on stage wearing a blue shirt, jeans, and blue sneakers. Following the last presidential election, wearing sneakers symbolized his intention to meet residents directly and campaign on foot. With a hoarse voice, he took the microphone and said, "Since yesterday, I have started the 'Blue 31 Grand March' touring all over Gyeonggi-do," adding, "I have met residents from all 31 cities and counties and heard many stories. Some even cried while talking about housing, transportation, jobs, and youth issues." Kim plans to finish his tour after covering northern Gyeonggi starting from Gimpo the previous day, then the southeastern region today, and finally the southwestern region tomorrow.

With the election just two days away, his determined will was evident. Kim Dong-yeon said, "It is very desperate," and appealed for support for himself and his party candidates, saying, "If there has been a lack of change and reform, we will first reflect and change ourselves." Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min, who supported the campaign that day, also urged, "Please choose Kim Dong-yeon, a clean candidate and a proven economic expert who works well, as governor." After the campaign, Kim told reporters, "The response from local residents is good. They seem to feel that this campaign is conducted with genuine sincerity, not just to gain votes during election season," and expressed confidence, "I believe we will definitely win this election."

Kim Dong-yeon, the Democratic Party candidate for Gyeonggi Province governor, is campaigning in front of Gapyeong Market in Gyeonggi Province at 9 a.m. on the 30th.
[Photo by Kim Dong-yeon Camp]

On the same morning, candidate Kim Eun-hye campaigned on Gangnam-daero in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul, alongside Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon during the morning commute. She emphasized the 'One Team' spirit with Oh and promised to solve Gyeonggi transportation issues. Kim Eun-hye, standing on the campaign vehicle, said, "Gyeonggi residents face a tough morning commute, staring helplessly as the metropolitan buses they once relied on disappear," adding, "After signing an agreement with candidate Oh, starting June 2, we will work together so that Gyeonggi residents can sleep 10 minutes longer in the morning and return home 10 minutes earlier." She pledged to increase metropolitan and late-night buses between Seoul and Gyeonggi and reduce intervals between buses.

About 20 campaign workers danced rhythmically and waved placards to attract votes. Tae Young-ho, a lawmaker representing Gangnam-gu, drew attention by performing a rap with the lyrics, "This time it's number 2. Vote number 2 and overcome." During the campaign, Kim Eun-hye also became teary-eyed. When candidate Oh encouraged her, saying, "With the dedication of candidate Kim coming here early in the morning despite catching short naps on the move, she will surely succeed," she responded with moist eyes, "I really want to work."

After the campaign, Kim Eun-hye told reporters, "(Gyeonggi residents) are suffering a lot," and explained, "Many governor candidates and many elections promised to solve these issues and help, but nothing has been achieved. I want to solve the difficulties of the residents."

Kim Eun-hye, the People Power Party candidate for Gyeonggi Province governor, campaigned on the morning of the 30th along Gangnam-daero in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul, together with Oh Se-hoon, the Seoul mayoral candidate, and Tae Young-ho, a People Power Party lawmaker, during the morning commute.
[Photo by Kwon Hyun-ji]

Both ruling and opposition parties launched full-scale campaigns. Lee Jae-myung, the general election campaign committee chairman, and co-chairs Yoon Ho-jung and Park Ji-hyun held a joint press conference urging people to vote in the local elections and support the Democratic Party. Chairman Lee said, "We must choose the minimum balance and stability to prevent one-sided dominance and arrogance," while Chairwoman Yoon emphasized, "Although the election is unfavorable, the opposition's role is necessary. We must correct the arrogance and lack of communication of the amateur government."

People Power Party floor leader Kwon Seong-dong targeted voters in Daejeon and Chungnam. Leader Kwon said, "During the Democratic Party's eight years of Daejeon city administration, the Daejeon economy stagnated. Not only was new growth momentum not discovered, but even the reputation of the science city was threatened," adding, "As the ruling party floor leader, I will ensure a budget bomb is firmly invested so that the projects promised by Lee Jang-woo, the Daejeon mayoral candidate, succeed."

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