[D-7 Campaign Strategy] Lee Junseok Focuses on Seoul Metropolitan Area After TK and Gwangju, Until Election Day

Official Campaign Begins at Midnight on the 12th at Yeosu Industrial Complex
Visits to Universities in Each Region to Strengthen Communication with Young Voters
Maximizing Efficiency to Increase Voter Engagement

Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, is conducting his official campaign based on a strategy that maximizes 'efficiency.' For the remaining week of the campaign, he plans to focus his efforts on the Seoul metropolitan area, aiming to rally support in the final stretch.

So far, Lee has minimized his campaign movements by focusing on key regions such as Honam, Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK), and the capital area. This 'selection and concentration' strategy is designed to increase contact with the largest possible number of voters, taking into account the relatively weak local party organization.

On May 12 at midnight, Lee visited the Yeosu Industrial Complex in South Jeolla Province to launch his official campaign for the 21st presidential election. He did so to highlight the decline in exports at the Yeosu Industrial Complex caused by the global oversupply in petrochemicals, as well as the closures of nearby small businesses and the seriousness of the local economy. At this event, Lee unveiled his campaign slogan, "A Choice for the Future."

Candidate Lee Junseok Greeting (Suwon=Yonhap News) Photo by Hong Giwon = Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, is greeting citizens on May 24 at Rodeo Street near Suwon Station in Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do. 2025.5.24 xanadu@yna.co.kr (End)

On May 13 and 14, he began his campaign in the TK region, known for its strong conservative base. Before the official campaign period, Lee was the first to register as a preliminary candidate and had already made repeated visits to Daegu to win over voters. During these two days, Lee emphasized that the impeachment of the former president should not be seen as a failure for the conservative stronghold of TK, offering words of consolation to local voters. On May 13, during a major rally at the 2·28 Memorial Central Park in Daegu, he also appealed for support from pro-democracy groups.

On May 15, Teacher's Day, Lee visited the Korea Elementary School Teachers Association in Seoul and held a discussion to prevent tragedies like the Seoi Elementary School incident. On May 16, he visited Cheonan in South Chungcheong Province, where he held a press conference with local journalists and campaigned on the streets. On May 17, he began with a lecture at the Young Doctors Forum at COEX, and in the afternoon, he solidified support among young voters with a street campaign in Seongsu-dong, a popular area among the younger generation.

After the first TV debate on May 18, Lee traveled to Gwangju for two days on May 19 and 20. On May 19, he visited the site of a fire at the Kumho Tire Gwangju factory and then checked on the progress of a large shopping mall project in Gwangju. Lee had previously pushed for the establishment of a major shopping mall in Gwangju as a strategic initiative during his tenure as leader of the People Power Party.

Afterward, most of his schedule was concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area. On May 21, he visited Seongnam in Gyeonggi Province and publicly pointed out the negative consequences of Seongnam City Medical Center, which is often cited as an achievement of candidate Lee Jaemyung. On May 22, he held a discussion with the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) in Incheon.

A key feature of Lee's campaign is his visits to universities in each region. He emphasized communication with the younger generation by sharing meals at university cafeterias with local students. Starting with Yonsei University on May 12, he also visited Kyungpook National University in Daegu, Pusan National University, Seoul National University of Education, Dankook University Cheonan Campus, and Inha University. An official from the Reform New Party explained in a phone interview, "Even to put up a single campaign banner, we carefully selected locations with high foot traffic after the campaign began."