On the 5th day of the official campaign for the 21st presidential election, on the 16th, Lee Jae-myung, the candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, conducted concentrated campaigning in North Jeolla Province, which is the party's core support base.

He seems to be focusing on targeting the 'home rabbits' while staying in the Honam region until the May 18 Democratic Uprising memorial event. This follows a sweep through Jeonnam regions such as Gwangyang, Yeosu, and Mokpo the previous day.

Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party and Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party have each embarked on campaigns targeting the centrist electorate. Both candidates promised to complete the administrative capital in Sejong, stating, "We will transfer the National Assembly building and the presidential office."

◇ Among Honam, North Jeolla Province is neglected... Lee promises 'balanced national development'

Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate from the Democratic Party of Korea, is raising hands with independent lawmaker Kim Sang-wook at Dongbu Square, Iksan Station, Iksan City, on the morning of Nov. 16. /Courtesy of News1

"I would like to introduce Assemblyman Kim Sang-wook, who was expelled from the fake conservative party (People Power Party) while trying to be a real conservative. This is a true conservative, and it would be great if he could help implement rational politics within the Democratic Party."

Candidate Lee Jae-myung spoke this way as he took the stage alongside Kim Sang-wook, an independent lawmaker who left the People Power Party, during a rally held at the Dongbu Plaza of Iksan Station in North Jeolla Province.

This was interpreted as a message of 'unity' following the wearing of sneakers mixed in the colors associated with the Democratic Party of Korea (blue) and the People Power Party (red).

Candidate Lee emphasized, "If support is provided to the Honam region, it must not only be for Gwangju and South Jeolla, as North Jeolla feels a 'triple neglect.' It is a serious issue with national policy if a specific region feels neglected despite being the same citizens. I will carry out balanced national development."

The candidate met with supporters in Gunsan, Jeonju, and Jeongeup in succession.

◇ Kim Moon-soo: 'It feels like I've returned to my hometown... You haven't forgotten me, have you?'

Kim Moon-soo, the presidential candidate from the People Power Party, is visiting the site of the National Assembly relocation in Sejong City on the afternoon of Nov. 16, announcing the administrative capital pledge for the establishment of the presidential office and the complete transfer of the National Assembly. /Courtesy of News1

"Coming to Suwon feels like returning to my hometown. I thought Kim Moon-soo had completely disappeared, but how did I show up again? Everyone, you haven't forgotten me, have you?"

Kim Moon-soo, who served as Gyeonggi Province governor for eight years, shouted this amid a crowd of 300 at the Jidong Market in Suwon's Paldal District. Despite the drizzling rain, signs greeted him, stating, "No to the rogue criminal!" and "Kim Moon-soo, the right person to protect the Constitution of a free Korea."

Candidate Kim also announced pledges to expand the metropolitan express railway (GTX), which he personally conceived during his time as governor, into a 'national express railway network.' He also promised to complete a 674 km 'circular expressway network' in the metropolitan area to alleviate traffic congestion.

In the afternoon, he managed a packed schedule, visiting Cheonan, Sejong, and Cheongju in the Chungcheong region. In Sejong, he announced plans to find a site for the relocation of the National Assembly building, as well as to build the presidential second office early and transfer remaining central administrative agencies in the metropolitan area.

However, during the campaign event that day, he did not take questions from reporters. With Kim Yong-tae, the Emergency Countermeasures Committee chairman, and Han Dong-hoon, former representative, urging the need to clarify relationships with former President Yoon Seok-youl from both within and outside the party, attention is drawn to whether Kim will shift his strategy to bounce back in the polls.

◇ Lee Jun-seok: 'Transfer of the presidential office and National Assembly building to Sejong'

Lee Jun-seok, the presidential candidate from the Reform Party, is conducting 'Let’s Eat Campus Food' at the student cafeteria of Dankook University, Cheonan Campus, on Nov. 16. /Courtesy of News1

Candidate Lee Jun-seok also conducted a 'school meal project' by having lunch with students at Dankook University in Cheonan, then actively campaigned at Cheonan Central Market to secure support from the Chungcheong region.

The candidate promised, "I will integrate the construction of the office and the National Assembly in Sejong to practically complete the administrative capital."

He also appealed, "Now is the time for the older traditional conservative group to rationally determine that 'the People Power Party's Kim Moon-soo candidate cannot check the Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung candidate' and ask how many more opportunities will be given to Candidate Kim. Time is running out."