Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae is conducting a three-day tour of the Yeongnam region to support party candidates and engage voters [1].
The campaign is a strategic effort to counter a potential late-stage surge in support for conservative candidates in traditional conservative strongholds. By visiting Gyeongbuk, Busan, and Gyeongnam, the party aims to secure crucial support from regional voters before the elections.
Jeong began the itinerary with a visit to Pohang in Gyeongbuk on May 2 [2]. On the morning of Sunday, May 3, he arrived at the Gupo Market in the Buk-gu district of Busan [2]. During a visit lasting approximately one hour, Jeong campaigned for Ha Jung-woo, the candidate for the Buk-gu Gap byelection [3].
While addressing the crowd at the market, Jeong praised the candidate's character. "Ha Jung-woo is a compassionate, our proud son," Jeong said [3].
Ha Jung-woo expressed his commitment to the region following the leader's encouragement. "The party representative told me to run until I am exhausted for the development of Buk-gu and Busan," Ha said. He added that he would work until his "body disappears" [3].
The tour spans a total of two nights and three days [1]. The Democratic Party is utilizing these direct interactions with citizens in traditional strongholds to mobilize voters, and maintain momentum for its candidates across the southern provinces.
“"Ha Jung-woo is a compassionate, our proud son,"”
The Democratic Party's decision to deploy its leader to the Yeongnam region, a traditional stronghold for conservative parties, indicates a high-stakes effort to expand its electoral footprint. By focusing on local markets and direct voter engagement, the party is attempting to break through regional political biases and prevent a consolidated conservative victory in the final days of the campaign.
