Minju, Concentration of Thermal Power in the Capital Area... "If the Ruling Party Secures Majority, the Country Is Doomed"

The Democratic Party of Korea focused its efforts on the Seoul metropolitan area, the key battleground, during the first weekend of the official election campaign. Party leader Lee Jae-myung concentrated his efforts on the 'Hangang Belt,' where the outcome of the Seoul election is at stake, while Kim Boo-kyum, the standing co-chairman of the election campaign committee, toured the 'Semiconductor Belt' in Gyeonggi Province, conducting a dual-pronged campaign.

On the 30th, Lee Jae-myung visited the closely contested 'Hangang Belt' areas sequentially, including Songpa-gu Eul (Song Ki-ho), Songpa-gu Gap (Jo Jae-hee), Songpa-gu Byeong (Nam In-soon), Gangdong-gu Gap (Jin Sun-mi), Gwangjin-gu Eul (Ko Min-jung), Jung-gu Seongdong-gu Eul (Park Sung-joon), Yongsan-gu (Kang Tae-woong), Yeongdeungpo-gu Eul (Kim Min-seok), Mapo-gu Gap (Lee Ji-eun), and Seodaemun-gu Gap (Kim Dong-a), dedicating full support to each candidate.

On the 30th, citizens at Seokchon Lake in Songpa-gu are capturing on their phones the campaign rally supporting Song Gi-ho, candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea led by Lee Jae-myung. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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At the campaign site, Lee targeted the People Power Party, saying, "Do not be deceived by their pleading tactics," and added, "The People Power Party has started begging for mercy." Han Dong-hoon, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, recently said in a broadcast speech aimed at overseas voters, "I know it is shameless, but I bow my head and plead," and "Please trust us just one more time." As the ruling party lowered its stance, Lee emphasized at every campaign venue, "Even if they cry, bow down, and beg, do not be fooled," urging his supporters to unite.

Rejecting the 'optimism about the general election' voiced by some within the party, he encouraged that the key to victory lies in increasing voter turnout.

Lee said, "It is not the People Power Party but the Democratic Party that is in crisis," adding, "In February, the opposition party's support rate plummeted sharply but seems to be recovering now. Who knows when it might suddenly drop again?" This was interpreted as a dismissal of excessive optimism by emphasizing a sense of crisis to prevent a backlash.

He particularly stressed, "We must never be complacent and must secure a majority solely for the Democratic Party," and appealed repeatedly, "Find all local affiliates and make sure they vote, search throughout Seoul and all of South Korea to find everyone you know and help them vote to ensure victory."

On the 30th, citizens in Bangi-dong, Songpa-gu are watching the support campaign of Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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Furthermore, he warned, "If they gain a majority, this country is finished," highlighting the 'regime judgment theory.' Lee argued, "If they secure a majority, government oversight and checks will be impossible, and we will face an absolute emperor and absolute monarch," calling their majority a disaster. He also said, "People across South Korea must win and send a clear warning to this incompetent government that deserves an F grade," and shouted, "Some say this regime is better, but there is no need to resent them; the side that votes more wins."

Lee also praised Kim Dong-a, the candidate for Seodaemun-gu Gap, who was involved in a candidate replacement controversy during the youth strategy primary. He said, "There were talks from outside that he is pro-Lee Jae-myung, which is true," and emphasized, "He is a capable and prepared worker, but if he were not someone close to me, I would have strategically nominated him as a talent recruit." He added, "Unfortunately, since he is someone I know, I couldn't do that, but he still survived."

Separately from Lee, Kim Boo-kyum focused on rallying votes in the 'Semiconductor Belt.' After visiting Hwaseong-si Gap (Song Ok-joo), Hwaseong-si Eul (Gong Young-woon), Hwaseong-si Byeong (Kwon Chil-seung), Hwaseong-si Jeong (Jeon Yong-gi), followed by Suwon-si Gap (Kim Seung-won), Suwon-si Jeong (Kim Jun-hyuk), Yongin-si Gap (Lee Sang-sik), and Yongin-si Eul (Son Myung-soo), he toured the constituencies of Icheon-si (Eom Tae-jun), Gwangju-si Gap (So Byung-hoon), and Gwangju-si Eul (Ahn Tae-jun), urging for a 'single vote' to secure victory for the Democratic Party.

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