Sweating It Out on Flood Recovery and Paying Respects at the Democratic Cemetery... United Party Embracing 'Honam'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The United Future Party has begun efforts to embrace Honam, considered a 'barren land' for approval ratings. Floor leader Joo Ho-young visited Honam for two consecutive days to assist with flood recovery, while Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in expressed his intention to visit the Gwangju 5·18 Democratic Cemetery on the 19th, stating, "We have not shown interest in Honam until now."

On the morning of the 11th, Floor Leader Joo, along with aides and party members, visited Guseong Village in Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do, to support flood damage restoration. They removed muddy water that had filled rooms and took charge of carrying out dirty household items. This followed Joo's visit to Gurye the previous day to console market merchants, continuing his schedule in Gurye for the second day.

Chairman Kim also told reporters at the National Assembly on the same day, "I will visit Gwangju on the 19th to listen to the sentiments of Honam residents," revealing plans to pay respects at the Democratic Cemetery. He said, "Until now, the United Future Party has not shown sufficient interest in Honam," adding, "In the process of reorganizing the party, we will understand Honam's public sentiment and establish measures for Honam, including Gwangju."

The United Future Party's volunteer activities in Honam, a region barren for approval ratings, aim to soothe local public sentiment affected by flood damage, stepping ahead of the ruling party. Originally, the party planned to conduct volunteer work in Gurye starting on the 11th, but at Chairman Kim's suggestion, they visited Gurye a day earlier. Consoling Honam aligns with the Emergency Committee's motto of 'walking with the vulnerable,' which Kim Jong-in has pursued.

Seeking transformation into a 'centrist party,' the United Future Party plans to include in its revamped platform next month a commitment to inherit the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Movement. Thanks to these efforts, approval ratings in the Honam region recently saw a surprising 6 percentage point rebound. When asked about the reason for the rise, Chairman Kim cautiously responded, "I cannot explain precisely, but the United Future Party will continue to show interest in Honam."

Following two days of volunteer activities, the United Future Party plans to visit the Gwangju 5·18 Democratic Cemetery on the 19th, issue a separate public message emphasizing 'national unity,' and establish a National Unity Committee directly under the Emergency Committee Chairman.