Final Rally at Seoul City Hall Plaza
Street Greetings in Hongdae and Gangnam
"Entering the Golden Cross Phase, Confident of a Turnaround"
Kim Moonsoo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is launching a nationwide campaign tour from Jeju to Seoul on the eve of the 21st presidential election. His strategy is to maximize support in the Yeongnam region and to make a final push for centrist voters in Seoul, aiming for a last-minute turnaround. The party is focusing its efforts on increasing turnout for the main voting day.
On June 2, Kim will begin his schedule by visiting the Jeju 4·3 Peace Park. After holding a major campaign event at Jeju Dongmun Market, he will travel to Busan Station and Dongdaegu Station to rally conservative voters. From the very first day of the official campaign, Kim has been canvassing in TK (Daegu and North Gyeongsang) and Boulgyeong (Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang). He will then move on to Daejeon and Seoul to target the so-called 'casting vote' regions.
The final rally is scheduled for Seoul City Hall Plaza. Former primary rivals who competed against Kim are expected to attend and announce a 'One Team Unified Government Vision.' The plan is to present a vision for the future in this symbolic location, known as the 'heart of Korea.' Shin Dongwook, spokesperson for the People Power Party's central election committee, said at a briefing, "By traveling along the Gyeongbu Line, the main artery of Korea, Kim is signaling his intention to lead a national leap forward," adding, "By promising to solve transportation problems at Seoul City Hall, where all metropolitan traffic converges, we are declaring a move toward the future, not the past."
Even after the final rally, Kim will continue to greet voters on the streets of Hongdae and Gangnam in Seoul. These activities are aimed at the 20s and 30s age groups, who could determine the outcome of the election. Jang Donghyuk, head of the situation room for the People Power Party's central election committee, held a press conference that day and said, "When considering big data, social network service (SNS) trends, and various other factors, we believe the turnaround has begun," adding, "We will definitely win."
The party is counting on a last-minute consolidation of conservative support. They expect voters in conservative strongholds, where early voting turnout was low, to cast 'retaliatory votes' against candidate Lee Jaemyung. Early voting turnout in Daegu and Busan was 25.6% and 30.4%, respectively, both lower than the national average of 34.7%. A member of the People Power Party's election committee stated, "Yeongnam traditionally has high turnout on the main voting day, and concerns about inadequate management of early voting may have played a role," adding, "If many supporters turn out to vote tomorrow, a reversal is possible."
The party is also paying close attention to the potential impact on centrist voters of the late-stage controversies involving Lee Jaemyung's son and remarks by writer Yoo Simin. There is analysis that Kim's active promotion of his own family background could have a counter-effect. Regarding the alleged comment manipulation by 'Reebak School,' the party is drawing a clear line. Lee Junghyun, co-chair of the People Power Party's election committee, said on MBC Radio that day, "Statements by candidate Lee Joonseok and writer Yoo Simin, as well as the apology from the head of the election commission, have led centrist voters to postpone their votes until the main voting day," adding, "Voters will feel the weight of their choice and turn to Kim."
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