Jung Se-kyun Finds DJ, Lee Nak-yeon Seeks Honam

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, prominent presidential candidates within the ruling party, are launching a campaign to target Honam, a traditional Democratic Party stronghold.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is speaking at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 16th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

As his first schedule after stepping down, former Prime Minister Chung visited the late President Kim Dae-jung's residence in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province on the 18th. After visiting the residence, he posted on Facebook, "The reason I visited President Kim Dae-jung today is a pledge to return to Kim Dae-jung," adding, "I will once again bow to the people and understand his will." Former Prime Minister Chung entered politics through recruitment by President Kim. He is seen embarking on a full-fledged presidential campaign, pledging to inherit his original intentions. Recently, he also published his memoir titled ‘The Lawmaking Janitor.’

Former leader of the Democratic Party Lee Nak-yeon is responding to reporters' questions as he leaves his home in Jongno-gu, Seoul, after completing self-quarantine on the 15th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

While former Prime Minister Chung focused on evoking ‘DJ nostalgia,’ former leader Lee Nak-yeon appears to be restarting his presidential campaign, which had stalled due to the April 7 by-election defeat and COVID-19 self-quarantine. On the 19th, he will hold livelihood meetings while touring Gwangju and Jeonnam regions. Targeting the Democratic Party’s stronghold, Lee continues to appeal to pro-Moon Jae-in voters. Right after his self-quarantine ended on the 15th, he told his close aides, "Even if it costs my life, I will protect President Moon Jae-in." On the 16th, he visited Yeonggwang in Jeonnam, and on the 18th, he went to Yangjeong Village in Gurye-eup, which suffered flood damage, to listen to public sentiment. Lee is also reportedly currently writing his autobiography.