Democratic Party: "Lee Surpasses Party Approval by 4-5%... Shows Expansive Appeal"

"Early Voting Turnout May Be Slightly Lower Than in the Last Presidential Election"

Cheon Junho, Head of Strategy at the Democratic Party of Korea’s election committee, analyzed, "Support for Democratic Party candidate Lee Jaemyung is 4 to 5 percentage points higher than the party's approval rating, demonstrating his ability to broaden the base."

Cheon made these remarks during a press briefing held on the second floor of the Democratic Party’s central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of May 30. He stated, "As expected last week, the major candidates’ approval ratings are converging with their respective party approval ratings," and added, "Support for Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party’s presidential candidate, is either within 1 to 2 percentage points of, or nearly identical to, the People Power Party’s approval rating."

However, Cheon cautioned, "It is difficult to rule out the possibility that the final results could differ from opinion polls, as both sides’ supporters are expected to rally in the final stages of the election," and added, "We will continue to monitor the trends closely until the very end."

Regarding the early voting turnout, he said, "I expect it to be similar to, or perhaps slightly lower than, that of the 20th presidential election," explaining, "Due to the limitations of weekday early voting, there appear to be restrictions on voter participation for working people and other eligible voters." He further noted, "The early voting turnout itself cannot be interpreted as favoring any particular candidate."

He also stated, "This election is about judging the incompetence and rebellion of the Yoon Sukyeol administration, and finding the right person to overcome the economic crisis in South Korea caused by the Yoon Sukyeol administration," adding, "The electoral landscape remains unchanged: is it Kim Moonsoo, the avatar of Yoon Sukyeol and Jeon Gwanghun, or Lee Jaemyung, the competent public servant for the people?"

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As Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party candidate, raised suspicions that Lee Jaemyung’s eldest son had posted obscene comments, Kang Hoonshik, head of the election committee’s situation room, responded, "The issue concerning the candidate’s son was investigated by prosecutors during the Yoon Sukyeol administration, and I believe the public has already made its judgment," adding, "Lee Junseok sent an apology message to party members regarding this matter, but this is not something to apologize for only to party members; he should apologize and conduct himself appropriately before the entire public."

Previously, on May 27, during the third televised presidential debate, candidate Lee Junseok read aloud comments allegedly posted by Lee Jaemyung’s son on the internet in the past, which sparked controversy over misogynistic remarks.

Regarding the possibility of a unified candidacy between Kim Moonsoo of the People Power Party and Lee Junseok, the plan is to closely monitor developments until the election is over. Cheon stated, "Many believe that the likelihood of unification is very low and that there is no justification for it," but added, "While that seems reasonable, I also believe that unification could occur depending on each party’s interests."