Lee Jae-myung "Democratic Party Support Plummets, I'm Also Struggling"... Yoon Hyung-sun "Still Mistaking Me for Presidential Candidate"

Lee Jae-myung "Convention effect causes vicious cycle of internal party issues... Democratic Party is in trouble"
Yoon Hyung-sun "This is not a presidential election, the party should split even now"

Lee Jae-myung, the overall election campaign committee chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea and a candidate for the National Assembly in Gyeyang-eul, Incheon, is campaigning around Gyulhyeon-dong, Gyeyang-gu, Incheon on the 20th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lee Gye-hwa] Lee Jae-myung, the General Election Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 23rd that he "respects the survey results" regarding some poll results showing a close race within the margin of error between himself and Yoon Hyung-sun, the People Power Party candidate, in the Incheon Gyeyang-eul by-election for the National Assembly.

On the same day, on TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' Chairman Lee said, "Recently, the Democratic Party's approval rating has plummeted, causing difficulties for our candidates overall, and I don't seem to be an exception."

Recent polls show a close race within the margin of error between Chairman Lee and candidate Yoon. According to a poll conducted by the polling agency STI on the 19th-20th targeting 880 residents aged 18 and over in the Gyeyang-eul electoral district (with a sampling error of ±3.3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, conducted via automated response using virtual mobile phone numbers; detailed information is available on the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website), Lee's support rate was 45.8%, while Yoon's was 49.5%.

Chairman Lee explained the recent situation by saying, "The inauguration of President Yoon Seok-youl and the convention effect of the Korea-US summit have had a significant impact," adding, "There is a vicious cycle of various problems arising within the party and dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party."

When asked about his goals as the General Election Committee Chairman, he replied, "Who wouldn't want to win everything? It seems clear that the situation is very difficult right now, and I think the only thing we can do is appeal to the people to maintain balance."

After attending the 13th anniversary memorial service for former President Roh Moo-hyun held in Bongha Village, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, Chairman Lee told reporters, "I came to support the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam areas on the occasion of the memorial service," adding, "Now, I think I need to focus on the metropolitan area, the Gyeyang district, and Incheon."

After the memorial service, Chairman Lee posted on his Facebook, "Although I have often visited Bongha, today the walk to Bongha felt especially heavy. In front of President Roh, I pledged to create a world where people live, a world without unfairness and privileges, but I felt sorry for not keeping that promise." He continued, "Seeing the many people filling the memorial service, I gather my resolve," emphasizing, "Together with the new Roh Moo-hyuns born after the President's passing, I will walk the path to create a world where people live and a fair Republic of Korea to the very end."

Yoon Hyung-sun, the People Power Party candidate running in the Incheon Gyeyang-eul by-election, is waving his hand and appealing for support from merchants and citizens during a campaign event held on the afternoon of the 20th at Gyeyangsan Traditional Market in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

In response, Yoon Hyung-sun, the People Power Party candidate for Incheon Gyeyang-eul, raised critical voices against candidate Lee. In an interview with KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' Yoon said, "I hear that Lee Jae-myung's presidential team is currently in Gyeyang," adding, "They are moving around in groups of hundreds, and from our perspective, they are putting on various shows. It seems they still mistakenly think they are presidential candidates."

He continued, "I have been guarding Gyeyang-eul for 25 years and have thought deeply about it, but someone who has been here less than 20 days treats Gyeyang as a playground and the residents as suckers, claiming to be their spokesperson," adding, "It is truly shameful, cowardly, and in some ways, pitiful." He further stated, "This is not an election to choose the president," clarifying, "This is an election to select local workers for Gyesan 1, 2, 3, 4-dong and Gyeyang 1, 2, 3-dong, and it is basic courtesy for candidate Lee to return to Bundang even now."

Meanwhile, Chairman Lee's side criticized, saying, "It was confirmed through media reports that Yoon only moved his address to Incheon Gyeyang-gu on the day of the preliminary candidate registration on the 2nd," adding, "He pretended to be a Gyeyang resident but was actually a 'fake Gyeyang resident' for only 21 days."

In response, candidate Yoon stated, "Due to circumstances that allow me to own only one house, I was unable to purchase a home in Gyeyang, but I have served in Gyeyang without leaving for a single day for 25 years, paid taxes, and created jobs."