Governor Yang Seung-jo Cutoff Elimination
Ideological Colors Not Clear
Considered a Barometer of Public Sentiment
Lee Jae-myung Managed by Chungcheong Strategy TF
Chu Mi-ae Proposes Chungcheong Megacity, etc.
Jeong Se-gyun and Yang Support Sparks Behind-the-Scenes Tension with Lee Nak-yeon
[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] The ruling party's presidential candidates are vying to capture the public sentiment in the Chungcheong region, where the central figure, Chungnam Governor Yang Seung-jo, was cut off from the primary race. This region is considered a so-called "barometer of public sentiment" due to its lack of clear progressive or conservative leanings, making voter preference predictions difficult.
Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung formed a task force (TF) to target Chungcheong on the 20th and began active management. Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, whose stronghold is Honam, also visited Chungbuk Province on the 20th, expressing regret over the current national balanced development policy and promising support for local issues. Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is the candidate most focused on capturing votes in the Chungcheong area. On the 27th, he will hold a meeting with Chungnam metropolitan and basic council members. On the 25th, he announced the "New Capital Region Plan," stating, "As my first pledge, I will create a new capital region encompassing the Chungcheong-Daejeon-Sejong megacity and the two wings of Jeonbuk and Gangwon in the central region." He also announced the early promotion of the National Assembly Sejong branch office and the Blue House Sejong office construction, as well as relocating the Supreme Court, Ministry of Justice, and Supreme Prosecutors' Office to Chungcheong. On the 20th, he also promised four major pledges for Chungnam.
Former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae held a presentation at the Daejeon City Council on the 22nd, presenting a vision to foster a Daejeon-type New Deal and a Chungcheong megacity. Former Minister Chu also expressed her determination to complete the passage of the National Assembly Act amendment, which includes relocating the National Assembly to Sejong.
Efforts to win the support of Governor Yang, the "leader of Chungnam," are also active. Former Prime Minister Chung met Governor Yang on the 12th and declared a Chung Se-kyun?Yang Seung-jo alliance on Facebook the next day, saying, "Governor Yang decided to overcome the pain of primary defeat and become one body with Chung Sye-kyun for regime re-creation." However, when Governor Yang's side drew a line by saying it was not a declaration of support but encouragement, former Prime Minister Chung corrected himself, saying, "It was effectively a declaration of support." Former leader Lee also met Governor Yang on the 13th and revealed, "The two have agreed to cooperate for regime re-creation," engaging in behind-the-scenes strategic maneuvering.
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