Daegu: Three presidential candidates intensified their efforts to engage voters in the country's conservative heartlands on Tuesday, marking the second day of their official campaigns, with the election looming just 21 days away. The June 3 presidential election, which follows the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over a failed martial law attempt last December, is shaping up to be a competitive three-way race among Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party (DP), Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party (PPP), and Lee Jun-seok of the minor New Reform Party.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee Jae-myung of the DP leads in various opinion polls with approximately 50 percent support. Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province are traditional strongholds for the PPP. During his campaign trail in the region, Lee aimed to regain centrist voters' support. At a rally in Gumi Station, Lee expressed his frustration over the lack of support in his hometown of Andong, North Gyeongsang Province. He acknowledged Park Chung-hee's controversial legacy, recognizing both his role in the country's industrialization and his oppressive actions.
Lee's visit to the challenging Yeongnam region, just three days after his last visit, is widely seen as an attempt to appeal to both regional and centrist voters. Meanwhile, Kim Moon-soo of the PPP focused on rallying conservative support in Daegu, Ulsan, and Busan. After paying tribute at the National Sinam Memorial Park in Daegu, Kim launched the party's regional campaign committee and visited local markets and outlets in Ulsan.
Kim, reflecting on his past opposition to former President Park, acknowledged a change in perspective, emphasizing Park's contributions to economic development despite past controversies. Kim's campaign itinerary also included stops at the Busan International Finance Center and an event by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, culminating in a visit to Jagalchi Market in Busan. His strategy is aimed at solidifying conservative support in the Yeongnam region while focusing on local economic development.
Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party commenced his day with a rally in Daegu, followed by interactions with students at Kyungpook National University. His campaign also included a policy meeting on health care and engagements with local merchants, underscoring his efforts to connect with younger voters and address key policy issues.