Parties Clash Over Battleground Predictions Three Days Ahead of Early Voting

On the 26th, three days before the early voting period for the 9th National Simultaneous Local Elections, the Democratic Party and the People Power Party presented differing outlooks on key battleground areas, releasing their analyses of the election landscape. With early voting days (29-30th) approaching, the conflicting analyses from the ruling and opposition parties are drawing attention to the direction of undecided voters in the final stretch, and the inability to publish opinion poll results from the 28th onwards is increasing unpredictability.

At a National Assembly press conference held on the same day, Democratic Party's overall election committee chief, Cho Seung-rae, stated that competitive races are unfolding in six metropolitan mayoral election districts, including Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Ulsan, Gyeongnam, and Jeonbuk. People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk, also at a National Assembly press conference, assessed that the party had surpassed a golden cross in the Yeongnam region due to a rallying effect among conservative voters, and analyzed that possibilities also exist in Seoul, Gangwon, and Chungcheong regions.

These opposing diagnoses from the two parties emerged as the Democratic Party urged for voter mobilization through initiatives like pushing for a special prosecutor's bill concerning alleged politically motivated indictments. Meanwhile, the People Power Party claimed that the will to 'prevent the deprivation of freedom' and 'protect one's home and property' is changing the election landscape. Notably, variables are emerging, such as opinion poll results in Jeonbuk, a traditional stronghold for the Democratic Party, showing an independent candidate Kim Kwan-young leading over the Democratic Party's candidate Lee Won-taek.