Kim Focuses on Professional Groups, Seoul Metropolitan Area, and Media Interviews
Campaign Chairs Personally Visit Regions for Rallies
Seeking a Turnaround Through Conservative Consolidation and Candidate Unification
With the so-called 'anti-Lee Jaemyung big tent' blueprint facing obstacles, the People Power Party has unveiled a 'two-track' strategy that combines media campaigns with region-specific intensive rallies. The plan is to first maximize support for People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo, and then attempt a last-minute turnaround by unifying with other candidates such as Lee Junseok of the Reform New Party.
People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo is appealing for support from citizens during a campaign rally at Seoul Station Plaza on the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News
A key official from the People Power Party's Central Election Committee told Asia Economy on the 20th, "From now on, we need to think of candidate Kim Moonsoo and the party separately in our campaign efforts," adding, "Rather than focusing on street rallies, the candidate will prioritize media campaigns?including newspapers, TV, and YouTube?and activities centered around professional organizations with nationwide networks." The official explained, "Since there isn't much time left, we inevitably have to concentrate more on the Seoul metropolitan area."
Meanwhile, the election committee plans to focus more on regional rallies. The previous day, the People Power Party designated joint regional campaign chairs and decided to launch intensive election activities by region starting this week. In order to rally the conservative base, which has been discouraged by the 'Lee Jaemyung frontrunner' narrative, the campaign chairs themselves will take to the field. Lee Junghyun, a campaign chair from the Honam region, announced that from later this week until election day, he will remain in Gwangju, South Jeolla, and North Jeolla to consolidate as much regional support as possible.
The People Power Party's adjustment of its election strategy is closely related to the practical difficulties of building a broad conservative big tent. Not only Lee Junseok, but also former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo and former Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo are not providing direct support for Kim Moonsoo's campaign. On May 18, Kim Moonsoo announced a 'term-shortening constitutional amendment' pledge, which had originally been proposed by former Prime Minister Han, but it is reported that he has not yet heard from Han Ducksoo.
In the case of former Mayor Hong Joonpyo, he met with the 'Hawaii Special Delegation'?including lawmakers Kim Daesik and Yoo Sangbeom?on the previous day and conveyed his intention to support Kim Moonsoo, but is still reportedly negative about joining the campaign committee. Former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon has also declined to join the committee and is campaigning independently. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is expanding its ranks by recruiting established conservative figures such as Kim Sangwook and Heo Euna.
A campaign committee official commented, "While the Democratic Party has been unified behind Lee Jaemyung for eight years, it's only been nine days since Kim Moonsoo was confirmed as the People Power Party's candidate," and predicted, "Now that a true two-way race has formed, the previously scattered conservative base will consolidate." The official added, "If a last-minute conservative consolidation occurs, the key will be the centrist vote, and late-stage variables such as a possible unification with Lee Junseok are still in play."
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