Cho Kuk, Kim Jae-yeon Lead Pack in Heated 5-Way Pyeongtaek-eul Race

The by-election for the Pyeongtaek-eul National Assembly seat, scheduled for June 3rd, is seeing fierce competition with a five-way race featuring direct candidacies from major party leaders, including Cho Kuk of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, Kim Jae-yeon of the Progressive Party, and Hwang Kyo-ahn of the Liberty and Innovation Party. The concentration of three party leaders' offices within just 2km creates a unique scene. On May 4th, when this reporter visited the Pyeongtaek-eul constituency for the by-election, numerous campaign offices were clustered, presenting a five-way contest. At Anjung Five-Way Intersection, the campaign offices for Cho Kuk of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party and Kim Jae-yeon of the Progressive Party were adjacent. Across the intersection, a banner for Choi Won-yong, the Democratic Party's supporting committee office, hung on a building. Approximately 1km away was the campaign office for Yoo Eui-dong of the People Power Party. The campaign office for Hwang Kyo-ahn of the Liberty and Innovation Party was situated behind the Cho Kuk Innovation Party's office.

The campaign office for Kim Yong-nam of the Democratic Party was located 700m away and was preparing for its opening ceremony on May 12th. Campaign offices for the five main candidates were gathered in close proximity along Anhyeon-ro. On May 4th, Democratic Party candidate Kim Yong-nam met with local residents at the Donggori Village Hall in Godeok-myeon, Pyeongtaek. On May 5th, Parents' Day, People Power Party candidate Yoo Eui-dong interacted with residents in Goseong-myeon, Pyeongtaek. Progressive Party candidate Kim Jae-yeon attended a meeting held at Pyeongtaek Daechuri Peace Village on May 4th. The camp for Hwang Kyo-ahn, candidate for Liberty and Innovation Party, argued that opinion poll results do not accurately reflect conservative voter sentiment. He added that he plans to build a base in Pyeongtaek even after this election. On May 4th, Cho Kuk Innovation Party leader Cho Kuk greeted citizens leaving work at the Pyeongtaek Art Center intersection in Godeok-dong.