Meeting with Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung, Then Visiting Chonnam National University
Targeting Honam Region and 2030 Generation to Sway Voters
Preventing Drunk Driving on School Buses and Introducing AI Accident Response System
Lee: "We Will Ensure Children's Safety Through Technology"
Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, has been staying in Gwangju, a traditional conservative stronghold, for three consecutive days in an effort to appeal to voters in the Honam region, following his attendance at the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement Memorial Ceremony on the 18th.
On the morning of the 20th, Lee visited Gwangju City Hall to meet with Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung and held a discussion with local journalists. Afterwards, he continued his ongoing campaign series "Let's Eat at the Cafeteria with Lee Junseok" at Chonnam National University, sharing lunch with students.
It is considered unusual for a conservative presidential candidate to focus on the Honam region for three consecutive days. This strategy is interpreted as an attempt to sway voters in Honam, where support for the Democratic Party of Korea and the progressive bloc has traditionally been strong, and to target the 2030 generation. At the same time, it aims to prevent any votes lost from going to Kim Moonsoo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party.
On this day, Lee criticized Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, on Facebook, saying, "He is presenting internet memes as solutions to drive Korea's economy," and took issue with Lee Jaemyung's 'hotel economy theory' in the context of local currency utility.
Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, is appealing for support during a campaign rally held in front of the back gate of Chonnam National University in Buk-gu, Gwangju, on the afternoon of the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News
During a campaign rally at Chonnam National University the previous day, Lee also said, "As you saw in the TV debates, we should not tolerate those who, believing they already have Korea in their grasp, arrogantly answer questions from other candidates on behalf of the Korean people." He added, "I fear that if the Democratic Party covers up all of Korea's important issues through reflexive gains after the 12·12 military coup, they may again choose to isolate the younger generation in the process."
Lee's campaign, which has consistently emphasized the future generation during his Honam schedule, announced its twentieth pledge on this day: three major AI-based innovations for school bus safety. According to the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, from 2020 to 2022, the rate of drunk driving accidents involving school buses was about 12.9 times higher than that of regular buses. The pledge includes mandatory installation of ignition interlock devices to prevent drunk driving on school buses, the establishment of an AI-based accident response system that automatically analyzes accident severity and connects with hospitals, and the creation of an 'AI Accident Response Center' within the Korea Transportation Safety Authority.
Lee stressed, "We will become a nation that is responsible for children's safety through technology, starting with school buses," and added, "Through an AI-based golden time rescue system, we will establish a framework in which the state takes real responsibility for child safety."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
