Lee Jae Myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, continues his campaign in Gangwon Province and North Chungcheong Province on the second day of early voting, May 30.

On this day, Lee Jae Myung will hold a major campaign rally at Chuncheon Station Plaza in Gangwon Province at 2 p.m. He will then continue his campaign at Wonju Haengbok Madang and the Clock Tower Plaza at Chungju Gymnasium. Cho Seung Rae, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party's Central Election Committee, explained during a "morning briefing" at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, that Lee will introduce development strategies for the bio sector?corresponding to the "B" in the "ABCDEF Strategy"?in the "Bio Healthcare Belt" of Gangwon Yeongseo and the central inland region, as well as plans to create a tourism hub utilizing the area's natural environment and rich history.

Lee Jae Myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, is campaigning at the express bus terminal plaza in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 29th. Photo by Kim Hyun Min

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This is Lee Jae Myung's first official campaign visit to Gangwon Province during the election period. Gangwon Province and North Chungcheong Province are regions where Lee lost to then-opponent Yoon Suk Yeol in the 2022 presidential election. At that time, Lee received 41.72% of the vote in Gangwon and 45.12% in North Chungcheong, while Yoon recorded 54.2% in Gangwon and 50.7% in North Chungcheong.

Lee Jae Myung is expected to visit the Chungcheong region, known for its swing voters, and the challenging Yeongnam region on the final weekend before the June 3 presidential election. According to the Democratic Party's Daejeon branch, Lee will hold a major campaign rally in Dunsan-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, on May 31. Dunsan-dong is a new central area of Daejeon, home to the government complex, large department stores, major supermarkets, and large apartment complexes. The Democratic Party views the Chungcheong region, which has historically served as a barometer of public sentiment, as a decisive battleground in the final days of the campaign.

There is also a high likelihood that Lee will visit the Yeongnam region, considered a difficult area for the party. According to the Democratic Party's Ulsan branch, Lee is scheduled to visit Ilsan Beach in Dong-gu, Ulsan, on June 1, the final day of the weekend, to make a last-minute appeal to Ulsan citizens. Ulsan Dong-gu is the constituency of lawmaker Kim Tae Sun, who is closely accompanying Lee, while Ulsan Nam-gu is represented by lawmaker Kim Sang Wook, who left the People Power Party and joined the Democratic Party.

Kim Moonsoo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, announced his economic transformation policy, "MS (More & Secure)nomics," on May 30.

Kim Moonsoo presented "growth centered on jobs" as his vision. He emphasized, "Jobs drive growth, and growth leads to distribution and welfare," adding, "The only solution to revitalize the Korean economy is growth centered on jobs."

People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo is appealing for support at a campaign rally held on the 30th at Jungri Intersection in front of the Icheon City Forestry Cooperative in Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Yonhap News

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He also outlined three main goals: ▲ restoring potential growth through corporate, educational, and fiscal reform; ▲ realizing a "flowing economy" that lowers barriers to employment and ensures the fruits of growth are shared by all citizens; ▲ and guaranteeing basic rights for a warm, survival-oriented welfare system.

Specifically, he set a goal of achieving a 3% potential growth rate by 2030. He also presented a blueprint that includes ▲ raising per capita national income to $40,000 ▲ making Korea one of the top five export powers ▲ becoming the world’s number one nuclear power nation ▲ reaching the global top three in artificial intelligence (AI) ▲ and fostering 100 world champion companies in new technologies.

To achieve these goals, he proposed six core strategies: ▲ investment in technology ▲ eliminating corporate regulations ▲ establishing a foundation for self-reliance through guaranteeing basic rights and tax cuts ▲ creating an employment-friendly labor market ▲ transitioning to choice-based education ▲ and supporting growth through fiscal policy.

Kim Moonsoo stated, "Through a job-centered 'flowing economy,' we will ensure the fruits of growth reach all citizens," adding, "With MSnomics, we will achieve real growth and warm welfare that goes beyond populism."

Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, visited several university areas in Seoul on May 30, the second day of early voting, to encourage his core supporters to vote.

During lunchtime, Lee Junseok continued his so-called "strolling campaign" at Gyeongui Line Forest Park, a spot popular with young office workers. Following his campaign events at Yeouido Park, Gangnam Station, and COEX on May 28, he plans to appeal for support to achieve a dramatic turnaround. He will also target young voters in university areas such as the back gate of Chung-Ang University in Dongjak-gu, the culture and arts street near Hyehwa Station in Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, and Sinchon in Seodaemun-gu.

Reform New Party presidential candidate Lee Junseok is appealing for support during a campaign event held near Anam Station in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, on the first day of early voting for the 21st presidential election on the 29th. Photo by Yonhap News

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Starting today, Lee Junseok has launched an overnight campaign in the Seoul metropolitan area that will continue until the last official day of the election campaign. He plans to meet voters throughout the night, even past midnight, to appeal for support. Previously, Lee undertook a "48-hour overnight campaign" starting two days before the April 10 general election last year, focusing on his own constituency of Hwaseong-eul in Gyeonggi Province, which was credited as the foundation for his dramatic turnaround.

During the remaining campaign period, Lee is focusing on maximizing campaign efficiency by targeting downtown areas in Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan region where voter turnout is high. He is also appealing to his core supporters among voters in their 20s and 30s, as well as those in science, technology, and education fields. Lee's visit to Pangyo, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province?a hub for IT companies?on the previous day was for the same reason. He stated, "I will become the first president with a science and engineering background, unlike previous presidents who were lawyers or activists," and mentioned French President Emmanuel Macron as a young leader.

Meanwhile, Lee Junseok once again expressed his refusal regarding the possibility of a last-minute unification negotiation with the People Power Party. He expressed regret over the claim made by Kim Jae Won, chief of staff for the People Power Party's presidential campaign, on a radio program earlier that day, stating that "Lee Junseok's camp had contacted them to arrange a meeting at the National Assembly building," clarifying that neither Lee Junseok nor his campaign staff had made such a proposal.