People Power Party Focuses on 'Bandochae Belt'
Democratic Party Highlights Symbolism of 'Regime Judgment'
During the official election campaign period, the People Power Party focused on the semiconductor belt, while the Democratic Party concentrated on the Seoul Dongjak-gu Eul constituency. It is analyzed that the People Power Party put effort into the 'symbolism' of the semiconductor belt, and the Democratic Party considered it the 'barometer of Seoul public sentiment.'
People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon is holding a focused campaign rally with candidates Kim Hyun-joon, Hong Yoon-oh, and Lee Soo-jung in Jangan-gu, Suwon City on the 8th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Chairman Han visited the Gyeonggi area seven times from the 28th of last month to the 8th of this month. He visited Suwon City and Yongin City three times each, and Icheon City and Pyeongtaek City twice each.
Suwon City, Yongin City, Icheon City, Pyeongtaek City, and Hwaseong City are called the semiconductor belt because they host the headquarters and factories of semiconductor companies. In the 21st general election, except for Pyeongtaek City Eul and Icheon City, 13 out of 15 constituencies were given to the Democratic Party. However, from the ruling party's perspective, the semiconductor belt is a place they cannot give up due to its symbolism. The nomination of Han Jeong-min, a former Samsung Electronics researcher, in Hwaseong City Eul is in this context.
Considering past general election results, there is also an analysis that it is worth trying. In the 20th general election, the Saenuri Party, the predecessor of the People Power Party, won 6 out of 10 seats in the semiconductor belt, excluding Suwon City, where the conservative camp traditionally showed weakness. Additionally, controversies such as Democratic Party candidate Kim Jun-hyeok's 'verbal abuse controversy' in Suwon City Jeong and Democratic Party candidate Gong Young-woon’s 'cunning gift controversy' in Hwaseong City Eul have arisen, making these constituencies suitable for emphasizing the People Power Party's 'judgment on criminals' argument.
However, the Reform New Party and other third-party forces are expected to act as variables. The Reform New Party is investing in the semiconductor belt to the extent of holding its supreme council meeting in Yongin City on the 13th of last month. Among the 13 Reform New Party candidates running in the Gyeonggi area, five candidates?Jeong Hee-yoon in Suwon City Gap, Yang Hyang-ja in Yongin City Gap, Yoo Si-jin in Yongin City Eul, Lee Jun-seok in Hwaseong City Eul, and Lee Won-wook in Hwaseong City Jeong?are running in the semiconductor belt. According to a public opinion poll conducted by Embrain Public on behalf of YTN from the 2nd to 3rd and released on the 5th, candidate Gong’s support rate was 40%, candidate Lee’s was 31%, and candidate Han’s was 14%.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is campaigning in support of candidate Ryu Sam-young at the entrance of Namseong Sagye Market in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 8th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung concentrated the most firepower on 'Seoul Dongjak-gu Eul' throughout the general election campaign. Including 'remote support' via YouTube, he held support rallies eight times until the day before. Except for his own constituency, Incheon Gyeyang-gu Eul, this is more than anywhere else.
The reason Lee put his life on the line to 'defend Dongjak' is primarily because it is a 'geographical key point.' It is located on the border between the southwestern Seoul area, where the Democratic Party has strong support, and the 'Gangnam 3 districts,' considered a conservative stronghold. The plan is to use this area as a 'bridgehead' to block the ruling party's advance into Gangseo and, conversely, to push into the conservative camp. Although it was classified as a disadvantaged area in the early stages of the general election, the mood reversed toward the end, according to the Democratic Party campaign headquarters. Strategy Headquarters Chief Han Byung-do also emphasized that 'Dongjak-gu Eul' is the 'barometer of the entire Seoul situation.'
The election history is also fierce. In the six general elections held since the 2000s (16th to 21st), the ruling and opposition parties each won three times.
The 'symbolism of the candidates' is also an important point. Candidate Ryu Sam-young led a nationwide police chiefs' meeting opposing the establishment of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Police Bureau during his tenure and was disciplined and left the organization. He is a figure suitable for the Democratic Party's 'judgment on the regime' argument. From Lee and the Democratic Party's perspective, pushing out People Power Party candidate Na Kyung-won and getting candidate Ryu in is calculated to further highlight the 'judgment on the regime' argument.
Additionally, in political circles, it is mentioned that it is easier for Lee to arrange his route. The Namseong Four Seasons Market, which Lee visited the day before, is about 4 km and takes about 15 to 20 minutes by car from the Seoul Central District Court. On the 3rd, Lee also moved directly to Dongjak-gu Eul after finishing his trial to hold a support rally. Furthermore, the fact that independent lawmaker Lee Su-jin is the incumbent in this constituency is a sensitive factor. After being excluded from the nomination, Lee Su-jin strongly criticized Lee Jae-myung and left the party, and candidate Ryu was nominated in her place. There is speculation that if the election is lost, a controversy over 'nomination failure' may arise.
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