The Democratic Party of Korea has launched a nationwide "Ottuk" campaign to unify its ranks and curb internal optimism ahead of the upcoming election [1].

This strategic shift is intended to prevent complacency within the party while attempting to resolve deep-seated conflicts between different political factions. By projecting a single, united front, the party hopes to boost morale among members, including those who lost primary battles, and increase its chances of victory in highly competitive districts [1, 2].

With only 15 days remaining until the election [1], the party is urging its members to abandon overly optimistic projections. The "Ottuk" campaign, named after a roly-poly toy that always bounces back, symbolizes resilience and a commitment to a single-file formation in the final stretch of the race [1, 2].

During a recent event, Park Ju-min said, "With the spirit of Ottuk (Victory Victory Victory)" [1]. The effort aims to bridge the gap between the "pro-Myung" and "pro-Chung" factions, which have historically caused friction within the party's leadership and base [2].

Despite the push for unity, reports indicate that noise and disagreement persist both inside and outside the party [1]. Some members remain skeptical that a campaign slogan can erase the structural divisions that emerged during the primary process.

Jung Chung-rae reflected on the internal struggles, saying, "Thinking back, it was a great help to the party, and for me, it might have actually served as medicine" [1].

The party continues to deploy the campaign across South Korea to energize the grassroots base and ensure that candidates in swing regions do not underestimate their opponents [2].

“"With the spirit of Ottuk (Victory Victory Victory)"”

The Democratic Party of Korea is attempting to pivot from internal factional warfare to a disciplined, unified electoral machine. By explicitly warning against optimism, the leadership is signaling that the race is tighter than some internal polls might suggest. The success of the 'Ottuk' campaign will depend on whether the party can actually integrate primary losers and rival factions into a cohesive unit or if the public image of unity remains a superficial layer over existing divisions.