Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate, has begun securing support in the 'conservative stronghold' of Gyeongbuk and Gyeongnam before the official election campaign starts. Notably, there are evaluations within the party that he has connected with grassroots sentiments by visiting areas that are hard to reach during the election period. The expectations are rising within the Democratic Party that Lee can become the first 'Democratic Party president from TK (Daegu and Gyeongbuk).'
◇ Emphasizing integration by mentioning 'YS·Hong'… 'TK voting rates will grow'
On the 10th, Lee visited Changnyeong, Ham-an, Uiryeong, Jinju, Sacheon, Namhae, and Hadong in Gyeongnam for a 'Listening Tour.' The previous day, he had met with local residents and small business owners in Gyeongju, Yeongcheon, Chilgok, Gimcheon, Seongju, and Goryeong in Gyeongbuk to listen to their opinions. This was an effort to rally support from voters in the Yeongnam region before the official election campaign period, which begins on the 12th.
Lee, who is from Andong in Gyeongbuk, expressed his affection for the region by saying, 'It feels comforting to return to my hometown.' When meeting supporters and citizens, he emphasized the need to choose 'not a king, but a diligent worker,' urging voters to prioritize competency over factional politics. While visiting Changnyeong County in Gyeongnam that day, he evaluated former President Kim Young-sam and former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, who are representative figures of the conservative camp, as 'excellent politicians' and called for national unity.
Residents of Gyeongbuk and Gyeongnam, excluding supporters, generally showed interest in Lee's visit. At the Gaya Market in Ham-an, Gyeongnam, market vendors stopped their work to come out and see when they heard that Lee was coming. A middle-aged man passing by remarked, 'Lee Jae-myung is coming? I need to take a picture,' pulling out a camera while keeping some distance. However, the previous day in Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk, one citizen shouted during Lee's briefing, asking, 'What are you doing here?' showcasing the still sharp reactions.
Within the Democratic Party, there has been a positive assessment of this Listening Tour in the Yeongnam region. In particular, it has been noted that the positive responses from residents in the TK and PK (Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam) regions have increased compared to the 2022 presidential election. This is why there is rising anticipation that a 'president from the Democratic Party and TK' could emerge, succeeding former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in from the PK region.
A key official from the Democratic Party's election committee stated, 'If we win this election, I am confident that TK will grow the most' and added, 'The Democratic Party will produce the first president from TK, and TK knows this.' They emphasized that there is no reason not to support Lee in TK and that the symbolic significance is also large.
◇ While the People Power Party is floundering… Touring 51 cities and counties nationwide
The characteristic of Lee's Listening Tour is that it visits small cities usually overlooked by presidential candidates. As the official election campaign typically focuses on large cities, it reflects Lee's intention to prioritize visits to rural areas first. In particular, among the locations in the Yeongnam region, Goryeong County in Gyeongbuk (29,900 inhabitants) and Uiryeong County in Gyeongnam (24,900 inhabitants) are categorized as 'high-risk areas for extinction,' with populations under 30,000. One Goryeong resident asked Lee with curiosity, 'Why did you really come here, when there are so few people?'
The internal strife over the unification of the People Power Party's presidential candidates has also played a role in Lee's extensive campaigning. Unlike the People Power Party, which struggled to select a candidate early, the Democratic Party had the luxury of time. Lee visited 51 cities and counties nationwide from the 1st to the 11th of this month, meeting voters before the official election campaign. The numerous visits caused Lee to show signs of a sore throat while delivering speeches, but the Listening Tour has helped him gain a favorable position in the presidential election.
A Democratic Party official noted, 'The concept of listening reflects the intention to incorporate the opinions of the people into policies, and we also visited small cities that couldn't be reached during the election period' and added, 'Given that the People Power Party is still experiencing internal confusion, I think they might face difficulties during their upcoming campaign.'
Lee will conclude his Listening Tour on the 11th by visiting Hwasun, Gangjin, Haenam, and Yeongam in Jeonnam, which is part of the 'Namdo Cultural Belt.' On the 12th, he will hold a launch ceremony at Cheonggye Plaza in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, marking the start of the official election campaign.