Rainy Honam Line... Ruling and Opposition Parties Riding on the Same Day

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is paying respects at the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, on the morning of the 7th, along with senior party members. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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[Asia Economy reporters Hyunju Lee and Jinyoung Jeon] As the People Power Party (PPP) launched an offensive in Honam to shed its image as the ‘Yeongnam Party,’ the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) responded with a counter-strategy to defend its stronghold. An unusual scene unfolded as the leadership of both parties visited the Gwangju National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery on the same day, just an hour apart. As the presidential election approaches, the political significance of the Honam region is expected to increase.

On the morning of the 7th, DPK leader Song Young-gil and his leadership team visited the 5·18 Democratic Cemetery at 9 a.m., followed by PPP acting party leader and floor leader Kim Ki-hyun and his team at 10 a.m. After paying respects, Song held a Supreme Council meeting at the Gwangju Metropolitan City Party Office. Visiting the 5·18 Democratic Cemetery is a natural step after being elected as the DPK leader. However, the sudden change of the Supreme Council meeting venue to Gwangju was unusual. This led to interpretations that it was an attempt to ‘dilute’ the PPP’s visit to Gwangju. After the visit, Song told reporters, "The reason Presidents Moon Jae-in and Roh Moo-hyun could emerge was because they firmly stood on the side of justice in Gwangju, opposing cold regionalism," adding, "I believe the strength to produce these two presidents came from Gwangju," expressing his determination to defend the party’s stronghold.

Kim Ki-hyun, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, is paying respects at the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, on the morning of the 7th, along with party officials. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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Kim, the acting leader of the PPP, also made his first regional visit since taking office by going to Gwangju. On the same day, PPP spokesperson Jeon Joo-hye issued a statement saying, "This is an effort to show our sincerity toward Honam," and added, "Starting with the visit to Gwangju and Jeonnam, we will strive harder to embrace diverse public sentiments beyond regions and classes and work toward national unity and harmony." PPP’s first-term lawmakers are also scheduled to visit Gwangju on the 10th to pay respects at the 5·18 Democratic Cemetery and meet with related groups.

As the presidential election season intensifies, the political utilization of Honam is expected to increase further. The PPP believes it must work harder in Honam to shed its existing ‘Yeongnam Party’ label and expand its centrist base. Meanwhile, the DPK must emphasize Honam to prevent the defection of its core supporters. This is because public opinion polls show declining support for the Moon Jae-in administration and the party in Honam, with presidential candidate approval ratings trailing behind former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl.

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