"At Least 60 Nationwide Contests... Early Voting Sees High Participation from Conservative Voters"

The People Power Party released its own analysis results two days before the 22nd general election, indicating that support among conservative voters is expanding mainly in Seoul and the metropolitan area. They also interpreted the historically highest early voting rate in the general election as favorable to the conservative camp.

People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon is holding a focused campaign rally with candidates Lee Won-mo, Lee Sang-chul, and Kang Cheol-ho on Geumhak-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si on the 8th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the afternoon of the 8th, Hong Seok-jun, Deputy Director of the Comprehensive Situation Room of the People Power Party Central Election Countermeasures Committee, said at a briefing at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, "Although it cannot be clearly stated based on opinion polls, what is certain is that the number of competitive districts has definitely increased from 55 nationwide," adding, "Depending on the perspective, we are thinking of at least 60 seats."

He interpreted that support is spreading mainly in the metropolitan area, Chungcheong, and Busan-Gyeongnam (PK) regions. Deputy Director Hong said, "In Seoul, our own analysis shows that support for the People Power Party is expanding in the Han River belt and traditionally Democratic strongholds such as Dobong-gu, Gangdong-gu, Yangcheon-gu, and Seodaemun-gu," adding, "I would like to say that there are many ultra-close competitive districts in Seoul that Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, has not mentioned." Lee said on his Facebook on the same day that there are close contests in 11 constituencies including Gangnam-gu Eul, Yongsan-gu, and Songpa-gu Gap, Eul, and Byeong.

Deputy Director Hong said, "In the Chungcheong region, support consolidation is happening strongly," and added, "In the traditional stronghold of PK, including Gimhae-si, Yangsan-si, Busan Sasang-gu, and Saha-gu, the situation is shifting to a narrow lead." He continued, "There is one competitive district in Daegu-Gyeongbuk, but we expect victories in almost all areas."

He also analyzed that the atmosphere on the ground is changing. Deputy Director Hong said, "The recently released opinion polls are based on data before the 3rd of this month and do not reflect the rapidly changing public opinion after the 4th," adding, "On the ground, there is a strong atmosphere of improvement and enthusiasm for giving it a try, rather than relying on opinion polls."

Regarding the early voting conducted on the 5th and 6th, he claimed it was favorable to the conservative camp. The early voting rate for the 22nd general election was 31.28%, marking the highest early voting rate in history. Deputy Director Hong said, "From the party's standpoint, this is being judged as a positive signal," adding, "Han Dong-hoon, the People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman, the election committee, and 254 candidates running in constituencies actively conducted participation campaigns, and through the strongly advocated manual recount, distrust of early voting among the traditional conservative camp was resolved, leading to high participation from conservatives."

He also explained, "We consider two weeks ago as the lowest point," adding, "Since last month, due to the opposition party's reckless remarks and criticism of the Yoon Seok-yeol government, the public has clearly recognized issues such as the judicial risks of Lee Jae-myung and Cho Kuk, leader of the Innovation Party, and problems with various opposition candidates."

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