Touring Gangwon, North Gyeongsang, and North Chungcheong Until the Day After Tomorrow
On May 2, Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, continued his listening tour along the border belt in the Gangwon Province area. Despite the Supreme Court's remand ruling on May 1, Lee proceeded with his scheduled public engagements. On this day, Lee visited several locations in Gangwon Province, including Cheorwon County, Hwacheon County, Inje County, and Goseong County, to hear from local citizens.
As crowds gathered, Lee sometimes had difficulty moving from one shop to another. While visiting a market, he focused on addressing people's livelihoods by asking merchants about their sales and other concerns. In response to complaints from merchants about the difficult economic situation, Lee said, "We need to revive it." At some shops, he took out his wallet to buy snacks like Gangjeong and shared them with those around him. Some citizens brought Lee's book and asked for his autograph, and Lee also took selfies with citizens.
Supporters hugged Lee, took photos with him, and chanted slogans such as "Stay strong," "President Lee Jaemyung," and "Fighting." For this presidential election, Lee has opted for a 'man-to-man' campaign approach, visiting neighborhoods in person instead of holding large-scale rallies.
This is a departure from traditional campaign methods, with a strategy of 'listening and taking notes' rather than 'speaking.' An official from Lee Jaemyung's central election campaign committee explained, "We selected areas that presidential candidates have not been able to visit frequently in the past."
Starting in the northern Gyeonggi region the previous day, Lee plans to stay in Gangwon Province until May 3, visiting Sokcho, Yangyang, Gangneung, Donghae, Samcheok, and Taebaek in succession. On May 4, he will begin the 'Danyang Palgyeong Belt Listening Tour,' starting in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, and continuing through Yecheon, Danyang and Jecheon in North Chungcheong Province, and Yeongwol in Gangwon Province. During the schedule through May 4, Lee plans to strengthen his connection with local residents by staying in the area. The Democratic Party announced that it would conduct a total of three such listening tours.
However, attention is also focused on whether the Supreme Court's decision the previous day?remanding the case with a guilty verdict regarding the charge of disseminating false information during his term as Gyeonggi Province governor?will affect the presidential race. At a meeting of the party's central election committee held at party headquarters that day, Democratic Party officials strongly criticized both the timing and content of the Supreme Court's ruling.
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