Lee Junseok Heads to Chungcheong, the Barometer of Centrist Sentiment, to Win Over Swing Voters

"Let's Eat at the Cafeteria" Event at Dankook University
Afternoon Briefing at South Chungcheong Provincial Government Office

Reform New Party presidential candidate Lee Junseok is set to campaign for votes in Chungcheong, a region considered the barometer of centrist voters, on the 16th.

At 11:30 a.m. on this day, Lee will hold a "Let's Eat at the Cafeteria" event at Dankook University’s Cheonan campus. The "Let's Eat at the Cafeteria" event is a signature campaign activity that Lee personally proposed to strengthen communication with the younger generation, and this marks his fifth university visit.

The previous day, during a lunch with students at Seoul National University of Education, Lee was unexpectedly asked, "If elected, what support will you provide to teacher training colleges?" He responded, "The number of students per teacher should be reduced as much as possible, ideally to around 15," clearly expressing his stance on education policy.

At 2:00 p.m., Lee plans to hold a press briefing at the South Chungcheong Provincial Government Office to present his views on regional issues. He is especially expected to share his opinion on the "completion of the administrative capital," which is currently the most pressing concern in the Chungcheong region. After the briefing, he will visit Cheonan Central Market in South Chungcheong to engage with local residents.

Reform New Party presidential candidate Lee Junseok is attending a press conference held in front of the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, ahead of the second trial preparation hearing related to Colonel Park Junghoon's Chae Sangbyung case on the 16th. 2025.5.16 Photo by Jo Yongjun

Chungcheong has traditionally been regarded as a barometer of centrist public sentiment. Unlike regions where voting patterns are determined by political alignment, public opinion in Chungcheong tends to shift based on the political climate, candidates’ policies, and competitiveness. For Lee, this region is a key battleground for expanding support among centrist and unaffiliated voters. Before visiting Chungcheong, Lee attended a press conference in front of the Seoul Central District Court regarding the second trial preparation hearing for Colonel Park Junghoon, related to the death of a Marine, and expressed his hope that Colonel Park’s innocence would be proven.

Meanwhile, Lee has pledged as a policy initiative to pilot a "Data Special Zone" in Busan, introducing a dual-procedure requirement for search and seizure. He stated, "Through the Data Special Zone system, we will establish an independently trusted area where indiscriminate search and seizure is prohibited," and added, "For high-risk sensitive information within designated Data Special Zones, even if a warrant allows for search and seizure, viewing, copying, or use will be restricted to cases where there is explicit consent from the data subject or approval from an independent Data Review Committee (tentative name)."

The Data Special Zone pledge stems from concerns that, in the case of major domestic data centers (such as Kakao and Naver), sensitive information could be exposed for political purposes or by those in power when a court warrant is issued. Lee predicted, "By attracting data centers and global companies, we can create high-income IT and security jobs in the region, and the entry of foreign corporations will also increase local and corporate tax revenues."