Jeong Cheongrae Launches Intensive 3-Day Yeongnam Campaign, Targeting Voters Amid Conservative Consolidation Concerns

Touring North Gyeongsang, Busan, and South Gyeongsang
Focusing Campaign Efforts on Key Battlegrounds Amid Uncertainties in the Final Stretch

Jeong Cheong-rae, the leader of the Democratic Party, has begun a three-day, two-night campaign tour in the Yeongnam region starting May 2. With just one month left until the June 3 local elections, heightened concerns within the party over the possible consolidation of conservative voters have led to an intensive campaign schedule spanning North Gyeongsang, Busan, and South Gyeongsang provinces.

Democratic Party leader Chung Cheong-rae is seen putting a party jumper on candidate Oh Jung-ki of Gyeongbuk Province and taking a commemorative photo during a welcome ceremony held at the National Assembly on the 1st. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On this day, Jeong attended the opening ceremony of the campaign office for Oh Joong-gi, the party’s candidate for North Gyeongsang Governor, held in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province. Candidate Oh is making another attempt after four unsuccessful bids for the National Assembly and two previous losses in gubernatorial elections.

Jeong emphasized, “Because it is North Gyeongsang, I will provide even stronger support,” adding, “We will back the region’s development through pledges that only the ruling party can deliver.” After the ceremony, he visited the Jukdo Market in Pohang to listen to the concerns of local residents.

Starting on May 3, Jeong will embark on a two-day, one-night campaign through Busan and South Gyeongsang. He plans to campaign in support of Ha Jeong-woo, the party’s candidate in the Busan Buk-gap by-election at Gupo Market, before traveling to Changwon, South Gyeongsang, to attend the opening ceremony for Kim Kyung-Soo, the party’s candidate for South Gyeongsang Governor. He is also scheduled to visit the Nongae Festival in Jinju. On May 4, Jeong will convene an on-site Supreme Council meeting in Busan.

Within the Democratic Party, there is an emerging assessment that the party currently has an advantage in key races in the Yeongnam region. However, concerns persist that a late surge in conservative voter turnout could shift the dynamics of the election.

In particular, as political disputes intensify over the “Special Prosecutor Act on Fabricated Prosecution,” its potential impact on centrist and conservative voters is being cited as a variable. Some within the party also view the tight races in areas such as the Busan Buk-gap by-election as a source of concern.

Earlier in the day, Jeong also attended a Children’s Day event held at Daejeon World Cup Stadium, continuing his nationwide campaign activities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.