Ruling and opposition party leaders launch all-out first weekend campaign push... Jung Cheong-rae heads to Honam, Jang Dong-hyuk to Incheon [June 3 local elections D-9]

The ruling and opposition parties are pressing ahead with all-out campaign efforts with 10 days to go before the June 3 local elections. Jung Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited Honam, a traditional stronghold, to shore up support. In contrast, Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party (PPP), went to Incheon, a weaker area for his party, as he focused on winning over swing voters in the Seoul metropolitan area.
On the 24th, Jung visited Honam and moved to defend the party's core supporters. Meeting local voters, he emphasized the "incumbency premium" and said the party would spare no support for regional development through budget and legislative power. Honam is traditionally a strong progressive region, but competition with candidates from the Rebuilding Korea Party, the Progressive Party, and independents is also expected to be tough.
Jung visited the Okgok 5-Day Market in Gwangyang-si, South Jeolla Province (Jeonnam), to support mayoral candidate Jeong In-hwa. He said, "To develop Gwangyang, we need to bring in a lot of funding. And to develop this place, we need to change the law." He added, "The budget is drawn up by the Lee Jae-myung administration, the Democratic Party government. To put that budget to use, the law has to be revised, and the lawmakers who pass laws in the National Assembly are Democratic Party lawmakers."
He went on to say, "Because the budget and the laws are passed by the Democratic Party government and the Democratic Party, candidate Jeong must become mayor for Gwangyang to develop." He added, "Since the party leader is here, I make a special promise to the people of Gwangyang. If you elect candidate Jeong as mayor, the party will provide full support at the party level."
Jung also appealed, "On June 3, I hope everyone will go to the polls with the feeling of backing President Lee Jae-myung and wanting the Lee Jae-myung administration to succeed. Please go vote and choose No. 1." He then moved on to Damyang County in Jeonnam to support county chief candidate Park Jong-won.
Han Byung-do, the Democratic Party floor leader, spent the day touring Seoul and Gyeonggi Province to win over voters in the Seoul metropolitan area. He campaigned for Seoul mayoral candidate Jeong Won-oh at Children's Grand Park in Gwangjin District, Seoul, and also backed Lee Kwang-jae, the party's candidate in Hanam A.
Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the PPP, appealed for support for his party's candidates in Incheon. Incheon is the area where PPP candidate Yoo Jeong-bok is seeking a second term, but the party appears to have judged that a change in momentum is needed because Democratic Party support is strong there. It is also seen as a strategic battleground, as by-elections for the National Assembly are being held in Gyeyang B and Yeonsu-gu.
Jang met residents at Okryeon Market in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, during a walking campaign and focused his criticism on Democratic Party candidates. Referring to Park Chan-dae, he said, "He became famous for picking his nose behind Lee Jae-myung," and added, "They say 'Park Chan-dae-jang-dong' will turn Incheon into a second Daejang-dong. Please completely drive him out of politics." He also said, "If Park Chan-dae becomes mayor, Incheon will become a branch office of the Cheong Wa Dae of Lee Jae-myung."
About Democratic Party candidate Song Young-gil, who is running in Yeonsu Gap constituency in Incheon, he said, "He insulted 5·18 by going to Gwangju's Saecheonnyeon NHK on the eve of 5·18." He raised his voice, saying, "If you want to take down Starbucks, you should start with a boycott of Song Young-gil." He continued, "They even say they will decide what coffee the president drinks in the morning. Isn't that communist?" He accused Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party of dividing the public.
Song Eon-seok, the PPP floor leader, spent the day visiting six temples and hermitages in and around his constituency in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, in observance of Buddha's Birthday.


haeram@fnnews.com Lee Hae-ram, Kim Hyung-gu Reporter