Democratic Party's Lee Jaejong vs. Progressive Party's Jeong Cheolwon: Campaign Battle Begins
On the First Day of Official Election Campaigning, Clash at Changpyeong Market
"Let's Seize the Initiative Early in the Race"?Campaign Teams Mobilized
Lee: "I Will Secure National Projects to Transform Residents' Lives"
Jeong: "I Will Realize a Damyang Where People Can Live Happily"
The April 2 by-election officially kicked off on the 20th. In the Damyang County mayoral by-election in Jeollanam-do, the stage is set for a two-way race between Lee Jaejong (49, former Blue House administrator) of the Democratic Party of Korea and Jeong Cheolwon (62, chairman of the Damyang County Council) of the Progressive Party of Korea, marking the start of the full-fledged election campaign.
With the official campaign period beginning that day, the two candidates faced off for the first time at the Changpyeong Traditional Market. Both candidates gathered their campaign staff at the market for large-scale rallies, deploying strategies to seize the initiative early in the race. They also traveled around the area in campaign vehicles, meeting residents and appealing for support.
Lee Jaejong, the Democratic Party candidate for the Damyang County Governor by-election, is appealing for support at Changpyeong Market on the 20th, the official start of the election campaign. Photo by Kang Seongsu
Lee Jaejong, who hails from Subuk-myeon, emphasized his experience in national administration and his commitment to leading regional development, expressing his ambition to "create a greater Damyang." Lee has pledged to leverage a robust central network, united with the people of the county, to secure the necessary budget for Damyang and transform the lives of its residents.
On this day, Lee began his campaign with morning greetings at Baekdong Intersection at 7 a.m., held a rally at Changpyeong Market at 10 a.m., and concluded with evening greetings in Damyang-eup from 5 p.m. onwards. His campaign staff at Changpyeong Market repeatedly chanted the slogan, "Raised by Damyang, will raise Damyang, Lee Jaejong," highlighting his credentials as a candidate.
During his speech at Changpyeong Market, Lee stated, "I will work smart and diligently. The Democratic Party of Korea is the only party that can bring in national projects. For the welfare of Damyang residents, agricultural development, and the future of our children, a return to power through the Democratic Party is necessary. Entrust the future of the region to the Democratic Party," he urged.
He continued, "If President Yoon Sukyeol is impeached, future development in Damyang must be planned around the Democratic Party. During the presidential election, I will demand 100 billion won for regional development and promise to implement national projects," he emphasized.
He added, "I've filled 14 notebooks listening to local issues from residents. Look to the future and trust Lee Jaejong," appealing, "Choose a candidate who will work for regional development."
Jaegjong Lee, the Democratic Party candidate for the Damyang County Governor by-election, is giving a campaign speech at Changpyeong Market on the 20th. Photo by Seongsu Kang
With the catchphrase "A Powerful Damyang," Lee has pledged "Five Promises the Mayor Will Personally Fulfill for Damyang to Become Number One in the Nation." These include: ▲Special Education County ▲Prosperous Agricultural Villages ▲Revolutionized Transportation Network ▲Damyang Tourism That Attracts Visitors ▲Damyang as the Best Place to Raise Children.
Specific projects to support these pledges include: ▲Support for overseas training to foster global talent ▲Establishment of a one-stop cultivation complex linked to major distributors ▲Expansion of Damyang-Gwangju city bus routes ▲Attraction of eco-friendly integrated resorts ▲Attraction of a children's hospital.
Other pledges include building an open storage facility for the Honam region, expanding Dam (Tam) Tourism Stay, creating a residential regeneration innovation district in Damyang-eup, establishing a comprehensive agricultural product distribution center, developing a second general industrial complex, restoring the Geumseongsan ecological wetland, and promoting the Jeungamcheon park golf course.
Jung Chulwon, candidate of the National Innovation Party for the Damyang County Governor by-election, is appealing for support at Changpyeong Market on the 20th, when the official election campaign began. Photo by Jung Chulwon
Jeong Cheolwon, who is from Geumseong-myeon, is highlighting the subordination of local politics to central politics, advocating for "grassroots local autonomy" and the "native theory" to appeal for local support. Jeong argues that this election should serve as an opportunity to overcome Yeouido-centered politics and achieve innovation in local governance.
He claims that, since the implementation of local autonomy, the Democratic Party's dominance in Honam for over 30 years has actually slowed regional development and marginalized local residents.
On the first day of the campaign, Jeong began with a visit to the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery and then launched his "wildfire campaign." He held a campaign launch at Damyang-eup Fire Station Intersection at 7:30 a.m., a focused rally at Changpyeong Market at 9:30 a.m., and another rally in front of Daedeok Nonghyup at 2 p.m. He concluded his schedule with evening greetings at the Fire Station Intersection after 5 p.m.
At the Changpyeong Market and Daedeok Nonghyup rallies, Jeong introduced himself as "someone born and raised in Damyang, who has spent his entire life protecting Damyang. Although I am a 'dirt spoon' politician without the glamorous political background of the Blue House or Yeouido, I am a three-term council member and currently serve as chairman of the Damyang County Council, thanks to the support and encouragement of the residents."
He went on to say, "This election is a grave one, with the honor and pride of Damyang residents at stake. Just as our ancestors rose up to defend the nation, I urge the people of Damyang to safeguard the future of the region and support new politics for change." After announcing pledges such as converting the Goseo-Daedeok section of the Honam Expressway into a general road and relocating the Changpyeong Reserve Forces Training Center, Jeong emphasized, "I decided to run for mayor as a responsible three-term politician. I will realize a Damyang where people can live happily."
Jeong Cheolwon, candidate of the Joguk Innovation Party for the Damyang County Governor by-election, is giving a speech at Changpyeong Market on the 20th while campaign workers hold up placards to cheer. Photo by Jeong Cheolwon
With the catchphrase "Our Neighborhood Mayor Candidate, Three-Term County Council Member," Jeong proposed three core pledges: ▲Relocation of the county office and development of Dambit Tourism Town ▲Development of Damyang Station area on the Dalbit Inland Railway ▲Introduction of basic income for rural areas.
Specific initiatives to support these include: ▲Making Damyang the top destination for inland tourism and ecological garden cities ▲Creating places to live, rest, and work for a happy life ▲Sustainable agriculture and rural areas with income ▲Urban-rural convergence for an economically self-reliant city ▲Administration based on communication and harmony, all as part of "Five Promises for a Happy Damyang." Other tailored pledges for each town and township include expanding park golf courses and sports facilities, preparing flood prevention measures for Jukrimcheon, expanding National Road 60 to four lanes, turning the Damyangho access road into a tourist road, developing the Damyang Station area on the Dalbit Inland Railway, revitalizing the healing industry, and creating a specialized agro-industrial complex.
Meanwhile, in the April 2 Damyang County mayoral by-election, there is a prevailing view that the Democratic Party candidate may benefit from the ongoing impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Sukyeol. Especially if the Constitutional Court decides to remove President Yoon from office, it is expected that the Democratic Party will inevitably take the lead in national administration, and the lack of a clear presidential candidate for the Progressive Party of Korea is also seen as a factor that could influence voters' decisions.
However, some believe that Jeong, who is an independent three-term county council member and the current chairman of the Damyang County Council, has built a solid support base as a local politician over the past decade and may even have the upper hand. The impact of former Democratic Party preliminary candidate Choi Hwasam, who participated in the party's primary but left the party to endorse Jeong, is also drawing attention as a potential game-changer in the election.
Additionally, voter interest is growing in the Damyang County mayoral by-election candidate debate, which will be broadcast live on Gwangju MBC at 1:55 p.m. on the 25th. The Damyang County mayoral by-election will be held with early voting on the 28th and 29th, followed by the main vote on the 2nd of next month.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
