Ruling and Opposition Parties Visit Temples Nationwide on Buddha's Birthday, Intensify Efforts to Win Voter Support (Comprehensive)

On May 24, candidates visit major temples nationwide
Appealing for support by attending Buddha's Birthday celebrations

On the 24th, marking Buddha's Birthday, both the ruling and opposition parties visited major temples across the country in an effort to connect with Buddhist voters. With just ten days remaining until the 9th nationwide local elections on June 3, party leaders, candidates for metropolitan mayors, and parliamentary candidates attended Buddhist ceremonies and celebration events to rally their supporters and appeal to public sentiment.

On this day, both parties also issued messages of harmony and unity. Park Ji-hye, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "We are in desperate need of the spirit of 'Wonyun-Hoe-tong,' which means transcending conflict and moving toward harmony by communicating as one despite different opinions."

Choi Bo-yoon, head of public relations at the People Power Party's Central Election Committee, also emphasized, "Buddha's philosophy of 'Hwajaeng,' which means seeking harmony beyond extreme conflict and division, is a more precious lesson now than ever before."

Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended the Buddha's Birthday ceremony held at Songgwangsa Temple in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do on the 24th. Photo by Yonhap News

The party leadership also visited temples nationwide to reach out to Buddhist communities. Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended the Buddha's Birthday ceremony at Songgwangsa Temple in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, and then continued his campaign in the Honam region, including Gwangyang, Damyang, and Hampyeong. Han Byung-do, the party's floor leader, also attended the ceremony at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul, focusing on connecting with the Buddhist community.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, likewise attended the ceremony at Jogyesa Temple before conducting a walking campaign in the Yeonsu, Gyeyang, and Bupyeong districts of Incheon. Song Eon-seok, the party's floor leader, attended a Buddhist service at Jikjisa Temple in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, his own constituency, focusing on consolidating local support.

Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, attended the Buddha's Birthday ceremony at Yongjusa Temple in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, attended the Buddha's Birthday celebration ceremony held at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul on the 24th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

In Busan, Jeon Jae-soo, the Democratic Party of Korea's mayoral candidate, and Park Hyung-jun, the People Power Party's candidate, both attended the Buddha's Birthday ceremony at Beomeosa Temple. Park continued to visit major temples such as Yeongjuam, Mahasa, and Hongbeopsa, targeting votes from the Buddhist community.

Candidates running in the Busan Buk-gu Gap parliamentary by-election also visited local temples. Ha Jeong-woo, candidate for the Democratic Party of Korea, visited Unsusa Temple and Mandeoksa Temple in succession to meet with Buddhist believers. Park Min-sik, candidate for the People Power Party, visited Mandeoksa, Myeonggwangsa, Okcheonsa, Haengbok Seonwon, and Geumsusa temples, appealing to Buddhist voters. Han Donghoon, an independent candidate, also attended a ceremony at Samgwangsa Temple.

In Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, candidates continued their temple visits. Kim Boo-kyum, Democratic Party of Korea candidate, and Chu Kyung-ho, People Power Party candidate, both visited Donghwasa Temple, a major temple in Daegu. Lee Cheol-woo, People Power Party candidate for North Gyeongsang Province Governor, visited Bulguksa and Eunhaesa Temples. Oh Jung-gi, Democratic Party of Korea candidate, plans to visit Hwanghaesa, Bogyeongsa, and Wonbeopsa Temples in Pohang.

In the Chungcheong region, temple visits also continued. Park Soo-hyun, Democratic Party of Korea candidate for South Chungcheong Province Governor, and Kim Tae-heum, People Power Party candidate, both visited Gakwonsa Temple in Cheonan. In the race for North Chungcheong Province Governor, Shin Yong-han, Democratic Party of Korea candidate, and Kim Young-hwan, People Power Party candidate, each visited Beopjusa Temple and other temples to meet with Buddhist followers.

In Gangwon Province, Woo Sang-ho, Democratic Party of Korea candidate, attended a Buddhist ceremony at Woljeongsa Temple in Pyeongchang. Kim Jin-tae, People Power Party candidate, visited Samunsa and Seokwansa Temples in Chuncheon as part of his Buddha's Birthday celebration activities.

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