[On-the-Scene in Pyeongtaek] Kim Yongnam, Cho Kuk, and Kim Jaeyeon Visit Paengseong Five-Day Market to Win Every Possible Vote

The Final Five-Day Market Before the Election

Progressive Bloc Candidates Hold Campaigns in Succession from 10 a.m.

On May 28, the day before early voting for the nationwide local elections on June 3, candidates from the broad ruling bloc — including the Democratic Party of Korea, the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, and the Progressive Party — all visited Anjeong Five-Day Market in Paengseong-eup, Pyeongtaek City, in succession as part of their campaigns for the Pyeongtaek-eul National Assembly by-election in Gyeonggi Province.

Kim Yongnam, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for the National Assembly in Pyeongtaek-eul, Gyeonggi Province, is taking photos with citizens after finishing a campaign speech at Anjung Market in Paengseong-eup on the 28th. Photo by Jihye Jin

Kim Yongnam Focuses on Campaign Speeches... Appeals to Sympathy Over Negative Attacks

Kim Yongnam, the Democratic Party candidate, expanded contact with voters through morning commute campaign activities and rallies at Anjeong Five-Day Market, appealing for support. Around noon, standing atop the campaign vehicle, Kim began his pre-speech by saying, "The past month has been exhausting. At every morning meeting, a certain party started the day with negative remarks about me, calling it 'Yongmorning'," appealing to voters' sympathy regarding the negative attacks he has faced.

Kim continued, "There have been blatant lies and slander about my parents, but I trust that the residents of Pyeongtaek-eul will make a wise judgment. Now, there are only six days of smear campaigns left. We have endured well and run a clean campaign," he concluded, evaluating his own efforts.

During his main speech, Kim targeted Cho Kuk, the candidate from the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, saying, "He is someone trying to rival President Lee Jaemyung," and added, "Candidate No. 1, Kim Yongnam, must win by a landslide for President Lee, who joined the Democratic Party for me, to be proud." Earlier, Representative Hong Giwon (Pyeongtaek-gap constituency) and Assemblyman Lee Geontae joined Kim for his morning greetings, while former Supreme Council members Jeon Hyunhee and Han Junho participated in his campaign tour in Anjung-eup at 3 p.m.

(Above) Jo Guk, candidate of the Jokuk Innovation Party running for re-election in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, is taking photos with citizens at Anjeong Oil Market in Paengseong-eup, Pyeongtaek City on the 28th. (Below) Kim Jaeyeon, candidate of the Progressive Party, is purchasing Korean melons at Anjeong Oil Market. Photo by Ji Hyejin

Cho Kuk Emphasizes 'Third Visit'... Kim Jaeyeon Also Stays Close to the Scene

Cho Kuk, candidate of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, was the first to visit the market at 10 a.m. that day. Holding a transparent umbrella in the drizzle that began in the morning, Cho started walking through every corner of Anjeong Rodeo Street as soon as he exited his vehicle. Wearing jeans and sneakers in navy and sky blue, Cho repeatedly greeted people with phrases like, "This is Cho Kuk," "I will be thorough," and "This is my third visit."

Vendors expressed their familiarity with Cho, saying, "It feels like we've shaken hands five times already," while others encouraged him, saying, "You are likely to win, but there are still many worries." Joking with a sock shop owner, Cho said, "I seem to lose weight every time I come here. I’ve already lost about 3–4 kilograms." After whispering with a side-dish shop owner, Cho shared, "The vendor has been a Democratic Party member for 20 years, but this time she said she would support me." Standing on the campaign vehicle, he appealed, "I want to win this election not by a margin of three votes, but by 3,333 votes. Please give me overwhelming support."

Meanwhile, at 11 a.m., Kim Jaeyeon, the Progressive Party candidate, also took a hands-on approach to campaigning. After her speech, she shopped at the market, purchasing Korean melons and pickled perilla leaves. She asked, "Where is the lady boss?" and continued, "Did you watch the TV debate yesterday? Make sure you do," emphasizing, "The Progressive Party is the only one running a campaign without negativity."

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