Jang Donghyuk Rallies in Daegu, Expands to Honam... Enters Election Mode

Jang Donghyuk to Visit Seomun Market in Daegu and Korea Institute of Energy Technology in Naju
Startup Roundtable at the Daegu Center for Creative Economy and Innovation
Full-Fledged Regional Tour Ahead of Local Elections
"Two-Track" Strategy to Rally Conservative Support and Expand Outreach in Honam

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, embarked on a full-fledged regional tour on the 11th, following a "east-west crossing" schedule from Daegu to Naju in South Jeolla Province. In political circles, this move is being interpreted as an attempt to both consolidate his core support base and broaden his appeal ahead of the June 3 local elections.

On this morning, Jang visited the Daegu Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, located in Buk-gu, Daegu, where he held a roundtable with local startup leaders. Floor leader Song Eonseok, Policy Committee Chair Jeong Jeomsik, Assemblyman Choo Kyungho, and Supreme Council members Kim Minsu, Yang Hyangja, and Woo Jaejun were among the key figures who joined the meeting.

This center is the first Creative Economy and Innovation Center established nationwide to implement the "creative economy" policy, which was a core national agenda during the Park Geunhye administration. Even after the change of government, it has continued to operate, providing specialized support for nurturing technology-based local startups and building a startup ecosystem.

At the meeting, Jang reviewed the center's operations and stressed the importance of fostering local startups and creating jobs. He said, "Daegu is a sacred place of industrialization where the great narrative of the Republic of Korea's economic development began," adding, "The entrepreneurial spirit of building the nation through business is now being carried on in Daegu through startup challenges. The People Power Party will also do its utmost to expand the territory of opportunity so that young companies can fully spread their wings."

Floor leader Song also said, "I was the one involved in this center from the stage of budget allocation when it was created under the Park Geunhye administration," and added, "If the virtuous cycle of startup creation, investment, and job creation is proven once again here, it can contribute not only to the Republic of Korea's economic growth but also to local job creation."

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is giving a greeting at a Daegu startup roundtable held at the Daegu Center for Creative Economy and Innovation on the 11th. Provided by Yonhap News

Afterward, Jang will visit Seomun Market, regarded as a symbolic space of conservative politics in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) region. For the People Power Party, a visit to Seomun Market is seen not merely as a routine local livelihood outreach, but as a political signal to its core supporters. In political circles, the atmosphere at Seomun Market is often regarded as an indicator of the public sentiment in Daegu.

In particular, Seomun Market has taken on even greater significance as a space symbolizing conservative identity and unity during the period of major upheaval in the conservative camp following former President Park Geunhye's impeachment. Among conservative voters, statements and actions taken here carry considerable weight. A political insider commented, "Given that Jang has been openly talking about 'conservative consolidation' starting with his visit to Daegu, he has effectively entered election mode," adding, "It appears to be a signal that he is moving in earnest to manage his core support base ahead of the local elections."

In the afternoon, he is scheduled to move to Naju in South Jeolla Province to visit the Korea Institute of Energy Technology. Jang plans to meet local experts and students to discuss the energy-based industrial potential of the South Jeolla region and strategies for attracting future industries.

The previous day, he appeared on the Munhwa Ilbo YouTube program "Heo Min's News Show" and said, "If we are truly sincere about Honam, we must address local issues first, not just talk," adding, "If there is an agenda that residents of Honam are paying the closest attention to, it is the energy issue." He went on to say, "With a genuine intention to help Honam, I will visit the field and demonstrate an active will to resolve the issue."

In political circles, Jang's current schedule is also being evaluated as a "two-track strategy" aimed at both rallying his support base in TK and delivering policy messages in Honam. Analysts say he is simultaneously shoring up the conservative core ahead of the local elections while seeking to expand his reach in relatively weak regions through policy-focused activities.