[Comprehensive] "A President We Can Trust" vs "Judgment on the Regime" D-9 General Election Weekend Campaigns by Ruling and Opposition Parties, How Did You See It?

Ahead of the April 15 General Election, Ruling and Opposition Parties Intensify Campaigning Last Weekend
Lee Nak-yeon Says "Let's Not Hate," Hwang Kyo-ahn Responds "All Problems Stem from an Incompetent Government"
Im Jong-seok and Others Campaigning for Candidates... Kim Jong-in, United Future Party Campaign Chair, Visits Sejong and Other Regions
Lee Hae-chan, Democratic Party Leader, Visits Sejong to Encourage Support... Attending Busan Campaign Committee Today (6th)

On the afternoon of the 5th, Lee Nak-yeon, the Democratic Party candidate running for Jongno in the April 15 general election (left), appealed for support in front of an apartment complex in Muak-dong, Jongno-gu, while Hwang Kyo-ahn, the United Future Party candidate, appealed for support in Pyeongchang-dong, Jongno-gu. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Ahead of the April 15 general election, the ruling and opposition parties are fiercely competing to appeal to voters' sentiments. Last weekend, both parties sought support from voters across the country.

Most candidates went out to the streets to win votes with full effort. On that day, candidates raised issues such as the "end of the COVID-19 crisis" and the "judgment on the Moon Jae-in administration." There were also voices criticizing the current administration, led by the controversy over former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk's resignation.

In Jongno, Seoul, known as the "political hotspot," Lee Nak-yeon, the joint standing election committee chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Hwang Kyo-ahn, the leader of the United Future Party, met local residents to appeal for votes.

At a campaign event in Myeongnyun-dong, Jongno, on the 4th, Chairman Lee said, "First of all, even if I think differently from Leader Hwang, I will not hate him," adding, "If even a little hatred toward Leader Hwang arises in my heart, I will firmly keep my mouth shut and endure it."

He continued, "Please do not hate Leader Hwang too much. And (supporters of Leader Hwang) please do not hate me, Lee Nak-yeon," adding, "We are in a position where we must cooperate to save the country."

Regarding the COVID-19 crisis, he appealed, "The valley of crisis is still wide open before us," and said, "We must trust the great people and hold hands so that no one is left behind crossing the river of crisis and the valley of suffering. We must understand each other and not hate one another."

In response, Leader Hwang posted on his Facebook in the afternoon, saying, "Everything is the problem of an incompetent administration. Those blinded by power have failed in their duties, and we are now witnessing a harsh situation," adding, "I hate them. Haven't they destroyed the pride of my father and mother? Haven't they brought curses upon me?" However, Leader Hwang later deleted the post.

At a campaign event in Gahoe-dong that day, Leader Hwang raised the issue of judging the Moon Jae-in administration. He pointed out, "Although the economy is getting worse due to COVID-19, our economy was already struggling before the COVID-19 crisis," and added, "Now, they blame COVID-19, the opposition party, and democratic citizens. Who is the government that blames others?"

He also said, "They insisted on continuing income-led growth even though it was said that scrapping it would revive the economy, resulting in small business owners closing their doors and self-employed people starving," and raised his voice, "We must judge this stubborn administration in the April 15 general election and fix the collapsing Republic of Korea."

On the 5th, Im Jong-seok, former Chief of Staff at the Blue House, campaigning in support of candidate Lee Su-jin, who is running in Dongjak-eul, Seoul (left). On the right is Na Kyung-won, candidate of the United Future Party. Photo by Yonhap News.

◆ Lim Jong-seok "Let's drive out the fighters" vs Na Kyung-won "Political agitation that cannot be tolerated"

Support campaigns for candidates running in the general election also continued. On the 5th, former Presidential Chief of Staff Lim Jong-seok visited the campaign site of Lee Su-jin, a former chief judge and candidate for Dongjak District, Seoul. Kim Jong-in, the general election committee chairman of the United Future Party, traveled through Daejeon, Chungcheong, and Sejong regions to appeal for support for his party's candidates. Lee Hae-chan, the leader of the Democratic Party, also visited Sejong to encourage and support candidates.

In his support speech, former Chief of Staff Lim targeted Na Kyung-won, the United Future Party candidate opposing Lee, saying, "For those of you who want the National Assembly to work without fighting, let's drive out the fighters."

Regarding the government's response to COVID-19, he said, "The order and high civic consciousness shown by the people are astonishing the world," and added, "It is truly fortunate for the Republic of Korea to have a trustworthy president in this difficult situation."

In response, Representative Na issued a statement that day, criticizing, "Lim Jong-seok, who is cornered by investigations into the pro-Moon corruption gate, is spouting sophistry that deceives the people. The public's desire to judge the administration is so unstable that they are even defending lying candidates."

She said, "Lim's harsh words and slander against me today are political agitation that cannot be tolerated," and criticized, "Throughout the three years of the Moon Jae-in administration, the main actors who drove the National Assembly into division and conflict were President Moon Jae-in and the Blue House. Lim, a key figure of the Moon administration who regards the opposition as a target for annihilation and treats the National Assembly lightly, has the audacity to mention the word 'fight'?this is outrageous."

She added, "Instead of reflecting on the destruction of people's livelihoods, economic decline, and security collapse, Lim, who is busy criticizing the opposition that shouted the truth and justice on behalf of the people, is showing the arrogance and incompetence of this administration with his whole body," raising her voice.

Kim Jong-in, United Future Party's election committee chairman (left), Lee Hae-chan, Democratic Party leader (right) [Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Kim Jong-in "Will you save Cho Kuk or the economy?" vs Lee Hae-chan "The most important thing is sincerity toward voters"

Kim Jong-in, the United Future Party's election committee chairman, visited Daejeon, Chungcheong, and Sejong regions to emphasize the judgment on the administration. At the 'Daejeon Regional Election Countermeasures Meeting' held at the election office of Lee Eun-kwon, the United Future Party candidate for Jung-gu, Daejeon, he said, "I think this is the first time in our country's election history to see such a situation. How can anyone say in an election campaign that we should save a particular person (former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk)?"

He continued, "This person (Cho Kuk) has already been impeached and stepped down in the hearts of the people," and claimed, "After serving as Minister of Justice for only a month, Cho Kuk started attacking Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, who is perfectly fine, while trying to save himself again."

He added, "I believe voters in Daejeon will judge whether it is right for the government and ruling party to bring Cho Kuk into the election situation and drag him along at this critical time," and said, "Will you save Cho Kuk or revive the Republic of Korea's economy? Even a child knows what should be prioritized."

Kim also visited the election office of Jung Woo-taek, the candidate for Heungdeok, Cheongju, Chungbuk, saying, "We must establish a 'national infectious disease defense system' to protect the country and people from the virus that will cause variants of variants to emerge."

He said, "A week ago, I advised the government to quickly convert the budget items that would remain unused from the COVID-19 emergency economic measures to create 100 trillion won, but there has been no response," and added, "I will no longer give advice and will win a landslide victory in the election to solve this through legislation as a 'responsible opposition party'."

Later that day, Kim met Kim Byung-joon, former emergency committee chairman of the Liberty Korea Party (now United Future Party), who is running for Sejong-e at the planned site of the National Assembly Sejong Office in Sejong City. He said, "Candidate Kim Byung-joon is the candidate who designed Sejong City during the Roh Moo-hyun administration and made Sejong City possible," adding, "He knows best what problems Sejong City has and how to solve them in the future."

He continued, "Citizens are well aware of what the Moon Jae-in administration has done over the past three years," and said, "Only by changing in this general election can we newly design the future of Sejong City."

Meanwhile, Lee Hae-chan, the leader of the Democratic Party, visited Sejong-e that day to support and encourage Hong Sung-guk, former CEO of Mirae Asset Daewoo and candidate for Sejong-gap. Lee advised Hong, "There are ten days left until the election, but since we do not know what problems or variables may arise, you must act cautiously and humbly until the end."

He also said, "The most important thing in an election is sincerity toward voters." In response, Hong said, "The nationwide election is not easy, so I am grateful that the leader came to visit," and added, "I will do my best so that voters can unite to stabilize the administration."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party announced that Lee would attend the election committee meeting held in Busan on the 6th. The meeting will be attended by Lee, co-chairman Hwang Hee-du, general election committee head Yoon Ho-jung, spokesperson Hyun Geun-taek, campaign headquarters director Lee Hwa-young, network headquarters director Kim Hyun, and labor respect practice team leader Heo Kwon.

Proportional representation party The Together Citizens' Party co-chairmen Lee Jong-gul and Woo Hee-jong, as well as candidates Kwon Ji-woong and Jeon Yong-gi, will also attend to discuss strategies for winning the Busan general election.