People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol is greeting Buddhist followers while attending the "Tongdosa Temple Sambosachal Thousand-ri Pilgrimage Completion Ceremony" held at Tongdosa Temple in Yangsan, Gyeongnam on the 18th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Geum Bo-ryeong] Among the People Power Party's presidential candidates, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol and Congressman Hong Joon-pyo, considered the two leading contenders, have begun full-scale 'alliances and coalitions.' In a situation where every vote to capture the 'party's support' is crucial, they are focusing on forming alliances with allies. Former Congressman Yoo Seung-min and former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong, who are running third and fourth in the polls, are attempting a turnaround by emphasizing that they are the candidates who can defeat Lee Jae-myung.
People Power Party presidential primary candidate Hong Joon-pyo is answering questions from the press at the recruitment event for former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung held at the Yeouido campaign office in Seoul on the morning of the 17th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
According to the People Power Party on the 18th, participation of presidential hopefuls is particularly active in Hong's camp. The day before, former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung officially endorsed Hong. On the same day, Choi appeared on MBC radio and said, "In the general election, the personal character of Lee Jae-myung, the final candidate of the Democratic Party, and various corruptions related to the Daejang-dong gate will be important points of attack, so our party's candidate must be free from all kinds of suspicions." He added, "In that respect, I think Hong has a comparative advantage over former Prosecutor General Yoon." Hong's camp plans to highlight Choi's integrity and morality. In addition, retired Army General Park Chan-joo, who withdrew just before the first cut-off, and former Incheon Mayor Ahn Sang-soo, who was eliminated in the second cut-off, also declared their support for Hong.
People Power Party presidential primary candidate Yoo Seung-min visited Tongdosa Temple in Yangsan, Gyeongnam on the 18th and joined his hands in prayer. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Former Prosecutor General Yoon, who has a large organization, is also expanding his influence. After recruiting the most senior lawmaker in the party, Congressman Joo Ho-young, the day before, Yoon's camp described it as "gaining a great advantage." Considering that Congressman Joo has been elected five times consecutively in Daegu since 2004 and is a representative Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) lawmaker, this is interpreted as an effort to solidify party support. On the same day, Yoon also recruited current lawmakers Cho Hae-jin, Yoon Sang-hyun, and Lee Jong-sung.
Former Governor and People Power Party presidential candidate Won Hee-ryong is conducting a live broadcast on the 18th.
Former Congressman Yoo and former Governor Won emphasized that they are the candidates who can defeat Lee rather than expanding their base. Yoo said on KBS radio that day, "I think going to various camps at the last minute is just lining up." Instead, Yoo said, "Everything is condensed into who can actually beat Lee in the end, and I am confident because I have competitiveness in the general election." Kim Yong-tae, chief of Won Hee-ryong's campaign headquarters, told this outlet in a phone interview, "The only way to defeat Lee is to get Lee to admit defeat in a one-on-one TV debate, and only former Governor Won can achieve this." Won plans to address the Daejang-dong allegations related to Lee through an 'all-day live broadcast' from 10 a.m. that day until 1 a.m. next month.
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