The People Power Party held a large-scale campaign event in Seoul on Sunday to mobilize voters before the upcoming local elections [1].
This final push occurs just three days before the vote [2], representing the party's last major opportunity to sway undecided voters on a holiday weekend. The event aims to consolidate support and highlight the perceived risks of the opposition party.
Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk led the event in the Yeonnam-dong area of Seoul. During his address, Jang targeted the opposition Democratic Party and candidate Lee Jae-myung, using a slogan that characterized the opposition as having a baseline of incompetence with criminal records as an additional option [1].
"Incompetence is basic, and a criminal record is an option," Jang said [1].
To broaden the party's appeal, former presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye joined the effort, focusing their support activities in the Yeongnam region [1]. The party is attempting to leverage the influence of these former leaders to secure a victory in the regional contests.
Jang emphasized the importance of high voter turnout, noting that the margin of victory can be razor-thin. He said that a loss is possible if the party is short by even one vote [1]. He also spoke of the importance of maintaining a sense of "freedom of a cup of coffee" for the citizens [2].
The campaign strategy focuses on contrasting the People Power Party's policy platform against the legal and professional record of Lee Jae-myung. By framing the election as a choice between stability and the risks posed by the opposition, the party hopes to energize its base and attract moderate voters in the final window of campaigning [1].
“"Incompetence is basic, and a criminal record is an option,"”
The mobilization of former presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye suggests the People Power Party is relying on traditional conservative strongholds and legacy figures to offset the challenges posed by the Democratic Party. By focusing on the criminal records of opposition figures, the party is shifting the campaign narrative from policy achievements to a question of leadership integrity and legality.
