On the First Day of the Campaign, Targeting Daegu, the "Heart of Conservatism"
Crowds Fill the Market... Confirming the Strength of the TK Region
On the first day of the campaign, May 12, Kim Moonsoo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, visited the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) region, known as the "heart of conservatism," and appealed for support for a presidential victory, stating, "Our Daegu-Gyeongbuk is the last Nakdong River front line to save the Republic of Korea, which is now in crisis."
That afternoon at Seomun Market in Jung-gu, Daegu, Kim said, "The higher I rise, the more I will come down to the lowest places as president," and promised, "I will be a president who practices and takes action."
People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo appeals for support from citizens at Seomun Market in Daegu on the 12th. Photo by Yonhap News
Seomun Market is a campaign site frequently visited by conservative presidential hopefuls, including former presidents Park Geunhye and Yoon Sukyeol. When Kim entered the market that day, the area was packed with supporters and citizens. The merchants there cheered, shouting, "Life is good, Kim Moonsoo," and "Kim Moonsoo is the best."
After Kim made a quick round of the market and took to the podium, supporters chanted, "Kim Moonsoo, president," and Kim responded by making a heart shape with his arms.
Kim stated, "If I become president, I will be a 'market president' who ensures that every market across the country prospers," and added, "I will be a people's president who makes the livelihoods of ordinary citizens abundant and warm."
Kim emphasized his connection to the TK region. He said, "I was born, raised, and studied here. I remember so well laughing and crying together with you," and added, "I miss the days when I attended middle and high school in Gyeongbuk, carrying my school bag and studying while truly hungry." Kim is originally from Yeongcheon, Gyeongbuk.
Kim also mentioned that in December of last year, he attended a plenary session of the National Assembly and pointed out that former president Yoon Sukyeol did not issue a public apology regarding the declaration of martial law.
Kim explained, "In the National Assembly, lawmakers told me, 'Aren't you the ones who committed insurrection? Bow deeply.' But even if it kills me, I can't lie, so I just sat quietly. The people said, 'Is there really someone like this in the Republic of Korea?' That's how I ended up becoming a presidential candidate."
Targeting Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, Kim said, "There is a master of lies who impersonated a prosecutor and falsely claimed to be single," and raised his voice, asking, "Will you elect a president who is good at lying, or someone who is good at telling the truth?"
On the 12th, citizens are watching the campaign rally of Kim Moonsoo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, at Daegu Seomun Market. Photo by Yonhap News
Accompanying Kim on the campaign that day were Kwon Seongdong, floor leader of the People Power Party, Kim Sanghoon, chairman of the party's policy committee, as well as lawmakers Kim Kiwoong, Kim Daesik, Lee Manhee, Lee Heonseung, Choi Eunseok, Joo Hoeyoung, Chu Kyungho, Kwon Youngjin, and Kang Daesik.
After finishing his campaign, Kim reiterated through a post on his social networking service (SNS) Facebook page, "Seomun Market is the largest traditional market south of the Han River, but it has not yet recovered after losing its vitality due to COVID-19," and emphasized again, "Kim Moonsoo of the People Power Party, candidate number 2, will be the market president."
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