Democratic Party Declares "Restoration of Democracy in Gwangju"
People Power Party and Reform Party Launch First Rallies in Gwangju and Yeosu
Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and Progressive Parties Hold Joint Action at 5.18 Democracy Square
With the official campaign period for the 21st presidential election set to begin on May 12, political parties in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions are holding campaign kick-off ceremonies and launching a full-scale 22-day election battle.
A child is experiencing a mock voting at the 21st presidential election voting participation promotion campaign held near the main gate of Seoul Children's Grand Park on the 11th. Photo by Yonhap News
According to the political community on May 11, the Gwangju election committee of the Democratic Party of Korea will hold the "21st Presidential Election Real Republic of Korea Gwangju Election Committee Kick-off Ceremony" at 2 p.m. on May 12 at the 5·18 Democracy Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju.
The Democratic Party announced that more than 1,500 people, including Yang Bunam, the chief standing election committee chair of the Gwangju election committee, and local members of the National Assembly, will attend the ceremony to reaffirm their commitment to restoring democracy and advancing Gwangju.
The Jeonnam election committee of the Democratic Party will also begin its campaign on the same day with a street rally and kick-off event at 10 a.m. at Araetjang in Suncheon.
The Gwangju City branch of the People Power Party plans to hold its election committee inauguration ceremony at 10:30 a.m. at the plaza in front of Gwangju Station, officially declaring the start of its campaign.
The Gwangju City branch of the Democratic Labor Party, under the slogan "A Country Without Discrimination, A Korea Where We Live Together," will hold its kick-off ceremony at 1:30 p.m. at the 5·18 Democracy Square together with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and other labor organizations.
Reform Party presidential candidate Lee Junseok began his campaign with his first street rally at midnight at the Yeosu National Industrial Complex in Jeonnam.
People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo is speaking at the Central Election Countermeasures Committee meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 11th. Photo by Yonhap News
Meanwhile, the Gwangju election committee of the Democratic Party issued a statement regarding the People Power Party's presidential candidate registration, strongly criticizing it as "an unprecedented political turmoil, with two attempts to replace the candidate made in a single day."
The Democratic Party stated, "Holding an emergency committee meeting behind the backs of the people and party members to exclude candidate Kim Moonsoo and nominate candidate Han Deoksoo is an act that disregards procedure and common sense. Although this replacement plan was rejected by a vote of party members and candidate Kim Moonsoo has returned, party democracy and public trust have already been damaged." The party added, "This situation is the result of a complete loss of morality and political responsibility as a party, and the people will deliver their judgment on June 3."
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