Local Elections 20 Days Out, Party Leaders Jeong Cheong-rae and Jang Dong-hyuk Campaign on the Ground

With the June 3rd local elections just 20 days away, Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae and People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk have been out campaigning on the ground, meeting voters in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, and Ulsan, respectively.

The Democratic Party held its central election campaign committee meeting in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, ahead of the June 3rd local elections. This was the first central committee meeting held in the Gangwon region, categorized as a key "recapture area" for the party. Jeong Cheong-rae, the Democratic Party's General Standing Election Committee Chairman, quoted remarks from Chuncheon merchants, stating that Chuncheon is leaning towards the Democratic Party, and pledged development for Gangwon Province.

The People Power Party focused on winning over voters in the Yeongnam region, its traditional stronghold, by holding an election campaign committee launch ceremony and nomination certificate awarding ceremony in Ulsan.

Meanwhile, the ruling and opposition parties traded barbs over the 'Namho' fire incident in the Strait of Hormuz. The People Power Party criticized the government for not clearly identifying 'Iran' as the party responsible for the attack. The Democratic Party countered that the People Power Party was turning a diplomatic issue into a political dispute. Supreme Council member Kang Deuk-gu pointed out via social media, "Are we supposed to go to war with Iran immediately?" and "Is political infighting more urgent than the safety of isolated sailors?" Kang stated that the People Power Party was using national safety as a political tool.