[Pyeongtaek On-the-Scene Report] Yu Eui-dong Makes All-Out Appeal for Votes... "Will Strive for Unification Until the End"

On the Campaign Trail with Yu Eui-dong on the 28th
Yu Eui-dong Maintains a Hectic Schedule, Even Traveling to Seoul
Calls for Candidate Unification Directed at Hwang Kyo-ahn
"A Chance to Stop Ruling Party’s Dominance... Must Give People Hop

"Hello, I am a candidate for the National Assembly. Please make sure to vote."

On the afternoon of May 28, Yoo Uidong, the People Power Party candidate for the National Assembly by-election in Pyeongtaek-eul, Gyeonggi Province, visited an apartment complex in Godeok New Town, Pyeongtaek, and greeted residents by bowing nearly 90 degrees. The apartment complex was bustling with families that day due to a resident festival held twice a year. Rather than approaching residents immediately, Yoo observed the situation from a step away before coming over to greet them.

Yoo Uidong, the People Power Party candidate for the National Assembly by-election in Pyeongtaek-eul, Gyeonggi Province, visited Paengseong Market in Paengseong-eup, Pyeongtaek on the afternoon of the 28th to greet the merchants. Photo by Kim Pyeonghwa

Earlier, at Paengseong Market in Paengseong-eup, Pyeongtaek, Yoo also first observed the residents’ circumstances. While greeting elderly people resting inside the senior citizens' center at the market, he told the accompanying reporters, "Please do not take pictures here," and added, "This is a place for the elderly to rest." Rather than prioritizing his own urgency as a candidate, Yoo focused on conveying sincerity to the residents.

On this day, Yoo followed a schedule broken down into minute-by-minute intervals from dawn until evening. In the morning, he greeted commuters in Godeok-myeon, Pyeongtaek, then visited the area near Pyeongtaek Port to meet with the port workers' union and listened to the concerns of small business owners at a nearby grocery store. In the afternoon, he visited the Paengseong-eup area and the new town to appeal for votes. During the day, he also went to Seoul for a press conference regarding the possible unification of candidacies with Hwang Kyoan, the Liberty and Innovation candidate running in the same district.

At the press conference, Yoo said, "This is the last chance to stop the Democratic Party of Korea’s dominance," urging Hwang to make a decision on unification. However, Hwang responded, "Instead of media play, come to a fair unification table." This is why Yoo, who smiled at residents while campaigning throughout the day, appeared to have a shadow over his face and looked worried when moving between sites or when alone.

Regarding Hwang’s response, Yoo said, "I have many shortcomings," but added, "Still, there is a path I must take," indicating he would not give up on the unification effort. He explained, "Although there are differences between me and Hwang, I do not agree that these differences are so great or leisurely that we should simply watch problematic candidates like Cho Kuk of the Reform Party or Kim Yongnam of the Democratic Party win."

Yoo emphasized, "By focusing too much on our internal differences, we have neglected those we should be keeping in check and have inadvertently become monsters ourselves. I will do my utmost until the very last moment." He added, "Politics is about overcoming differences, creating alternatives, and gaining public consent. Bringing hope to the people of Pyeongtaek-eul is a very meaningful task."

Hwang Kyoan, a candidate for the National Assembly by-election from Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek, affiliated with Liberty and Innovation, is holding a press conference at the campaign office in Pyeongtaek on the afternoon of the 28th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Meanwhile, Hwang Kyoan continued his campaign in the district after holding a press conference in the afternoon criticizing Yoo’s call for unification. On the morning of May 29, he posted on his social media, "Please vote on June 3, the main voting day, instead of early voting on the 29th or 30th. There is a reason for this," he wrote.

This sparked various interpretations within the political community. Some believe that Hwang was alluding to his previous allegations of election fraud. On the other hand, some see this as a sign of possible unification, since a focus on main voting is necessary to prevent wasted votes if unification efforts are to be effective.

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