Following Kim Sangwook, Heo Euna Also Offers Support
Conservative Politicians Continue to Endorse Lee
With just 14 days remaining until the 21st presidential election, Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, is accelerating his efforts to broaden his support base. Starting this week, Lee has launched intensive campaign rallies in Seoul and the greater metropolitan area, declaring, "The real big-tent for unity is the Democratic Party," as he seeks to build unstoppable momentum.
Heo Euna, former leader of the Reform New Party, and Kim Sangwook, who left the People Power Party and joined the Democratic Party, are smiling brightly while attending the campaign rally of Democratic presidential candidate Lee Jae Myung held on the 19th at Times Square in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
According to the Democratic Party's Central Election Committee on the 20th, Heo Euna, former leader of the Reform New Party, made a surprise appearance the previous day at Lee's campaign rally held at Times Square in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. There, she expressed her support for Lee, stating, "Both the People Power Party and the Reform New Party are ultimately fake conservatives." On the 19th, supporters of former President Park Geun-hye also declared their support for Lee.
Previously, Kim Sangwook, who left the People Power Party, joined the Democratic Party in Gwangju over the past weekend, throwing his support behind Lee. Former lawmakers Kim Yongnam and Moon Byungho, both formerly of the Reform New Party, also announced their support for Lee and are expected to join the Democratic Party soon. On the previous day, Lee stated, "I wonder if there are people struggling in the torn, fake big-tent. I urge them to come to the real big-tent, the Democratic Party."
Lee is also working to solidify his support in Gyeonggi Province, which is both his political home and the region with the largest number of voters. On the 20th, he will campaign in the northern Gyeonggi areas of Uijeongbu, Goyang, Paju, and Gimpo. All ten constituencies in Goyang, Paju, Gimpo, and Uijeongbu were strongholds where the Democratic Party won during last year's 22nd general election. Cho Seungrae, head of public relations for the Democratic Party, explained during a morning briefing that Lee will visit the northern Gyeonggi region, which has endured decades of war threats and various restrictions, to present his vision of transforming it into a hub for South Korea's 'peace economy.' In Uijeongbu, Lee will address peace and security; in Goyang, K-content; in Paju, advanced industrial complexes and a special peace economy zone. In Gimpo, he will outline his vision for transportation innovation, highlighting a 30-minute living zone connecting Gimpo and Seoul's Gangnam district.
In the 20th presidential election, Lee had a close contest with then-People Power Party candidate Yoon Sukyeol in the capital region. However, for the 21st presidential election, Lee is aiming to secure a stable victory not only in Gyeonggi Province, but also in Incheon and Seoul, establishing a solid foundation for an overall win.
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