With the lowest approval rating... Han Dong-hoon makes all-out effort to support 10·16 by-elections in stronghold areas

Handonghun "Although it is a local election, the central party must actively support"
Ansangsu's Independent Candidacy, Ruling Party Not Assured by Opposition Unification
Incheon Ganghwa, Busan Geumjeong... One More Visit During Official Election Period

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, visited Ganghwa, Incheon on the 27th to support the county governor candidate running in the October 16 by-election. Amid declining approval ratings for the government and the ruling party, it appears that the central party is making an all-out effort to secure victory in this stronghold by-election.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, Han attended the launch ceremony of the election campaign committee for Park Yong-chul, the Ganghwa county governor candidate. Afterwards, he planned to visit the Korea Senior Citizens Association Ganghwa branch and Ganghwa Pungmul Market to appeal for voter support. Ganghwa County is a region where People Power Party lawmaker Bae Jun-young successfully won re-election as an incumbent, and it is classified as an area with a high possibility of a People Power Party victory in this election. Although there were expectations that the party would conduct the election quietly due to the party’s defeat in last year’s Gangseo District Office by-election, Han seems to place significant importance on this election as his first since taking office. In fact, it is known that Han said in a private meeting the day before, "Although this election is to choose local workers, the central party must actively support it."

The cold public sentiment toward the People Power Party and the ruling party is also interpreted as influencing the by-election strategy. A party leadership official said in a phone interview, "Due to low approval ratings, there is a sense that even Ganghwa and Geumjeong in Busan cannot be taken for granted."

While both the Ganghwa county governor and Busan Geumjeong district office elections are seen as favorable to the People Power Party, there are regional variables. In Ganghwa, former Incheon Mayor Ahn Sang-soo, who served as mayor for the 3rd and 4th terms and was a three-term National Assembly member representing Ganghwa, left the People Power Party and is running as an independent. A key People Power Party official said, "Ahn’s candidacy is expected to take at least 10% of the votes, which poses a significant concern for us."

In the Geumjeong district office election, unification of the opposition candidates could decisively influence voter sentiment. If the Democratic Party and the Joguk Innovation Party candidates unify, the opposition vote could consolidate. A People Power Party lawmaker from Busan commented, "There is also an analysis that if unification occurs with the Joguk Innovation Party candidate rather than the Democratic Party candidate, it would be more disadvantageous for the People Power Party." Han plans to visit Geumjeong, Busan on the 28th to hold support rallies. He is also considering visiting Gokseong, Jeollanam-do to assist with the Gokseong county governor election. Han Dong-hoon and the party leadership plan to visit Ganghwa and Geumjeong at least once more during the official election period.