Jo Guk Innovation Party Praises(?) Lee Jae-myung's Visit to Honam as 'Well Done'

"Budget to the Democratic Party" vs "Should Have Taken Care of It Earlier"
Competitive Dynamics Entered in Honam Public Sentiment
Kim Bohyeop "Did the Democratic Party Show This Kind of Passion in Past Honam Elections?"

The competition between the Democratic Party of Korea and the Joguk Innovation Party is intensifying ahead of the October 16 by-elections. As Joguk Innovation Party leader Joguk embarks on a one-month residency and the party actively seeks to capture voter sentiment, the Democratic Party has counterattacked by holding an executive meeting in Honam. Both sides have expressed a desire to 'compete properly,' drawing attention to the election battle. The Joguk Innovation Party even unusually praised the Democratic Party for launching a large-scale offensive in Honam, where they are competing.

On the morning of the 23rd, Lee Jae-myung, the leader, is moving at the 'Jeonnam Yeonggwang On-site Supreme Council Meeting and Yeonggwang-Gokseong Policy Agreement Ceremony' held at the election office of Jang Se-il, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for the re-election of Yeonggwang County Governor, Jeonnam. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the morning of the 23rd, the Democratic Party held an on-site executive meeting at the election office of former Jeonnam Yeonggwang County Governor candidate Jang Se-il. At this meeting, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung expressed his thoughts on entering a competitive landscape in Honam, which had been treated as a 'no-go zone,' saying, "If the Democratic Party had held regional power long-term, it should have shown something different," and added, "Now, things must change." Lee appealed for support, stating, "Where the Democratic Party is in power, not only the country but even the region is distinctly different. We will show this once, so I ask the residents of Yeonggwang and Gokseong to create that opportunity."

Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae said, "To be frank, there is not much a county governor can change alone," and added, "Securing budgets is difficult with only the power of a governor or county head. The party and members of the National Assembly must work together. Do you think independents or small parties can do well? Or is it the party holding the majority in the National Assembly that can secure budgets better?" Park also mentioned, "The party with the ability and will to secure budgets for the development of Jeonnam, Yeonggwang, and Gokseong is none other than the Democratic Party, which holds 170 members in the National Assembly." This implies that compared to the Joguk Innovation Party, which is neither a negotiation group nor even the third-largest party in the assembly, the Democratic Party can do more for the region.

Executive member Han Jun-ho and lawmakers Park Ji-won and Jung Cheong-rae are preparing residences in the Honam region until the election to fully focus on winning public sentiment. This is to counter Joguk, the leader of the Joguk Innovation Party, who started 'monthly rent living' earlier. The Joguk Innovation Party held a meeting on the 19th at candidate Jang Hyun's election office.

The Joguk Innovation Party raised its voice regarding the Democratic Party's moves, saying, "Let's compete properly." Kim Bo-hyeop, the chief spokesperson for the Joguk Innovation Party, even praised the Democratic Party's on-site executive meeting that day, saying, "Well done." Kim said that since the Democratic Party's nominations have generally led to victories in the region, they had not shown such enthusiasm in previous elections. He added, "The new choice of the Joguk Innovation Party is worth recommending for Honam and its voters. Therefore, going forward, we hope Democratic Party lawmakers focus on campaigning and refrain from saying things like 'Why are you loitering on our turf?' directed at the Joguk Innovation Party."

Kim expressed regret over floor leader Park's remarks. Regarding Park's mention of 'ability to draft bills' and 'ability to secure budgets,' Kim pointed out, "While the Democratic Party says prosecutorial reform is urgent, it has yet to propose any bills." On budgets, he questioned, "Has the Democratic Party done well in securing budgets for Honam's development, including Yeonggwang and Gokseong? It is not as if small parties with fewer seats have failed in budget securing."

Representative Jo Guk of the Jo Guk Innovation Party and preliminary candidate Jang Hyun, mayor of Yeonggwang County, are appealing for support to citizens on their way to work on the morning of the 19th in the streets of Hongnong-eup, Yeonggwang County, Jeollanam-do. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim said, "Let's compete fiercely in Honam," but added, "In the Busan Geumjeong District mayoral election, let's unify behind a candidate who will deliver a painful blow to the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. In the Incheon Ganghwa County governor election, we will help as much as possible for the Democratic Party's victory. After the October 16 by-elections, I hope the day comes when allied parties celebrate each other's victories with bright smiles."