The Democratic Party on May 7 reaffirmed its determination to win the June 3 local elections, saying victory is needed to “end the insurrection” and ensure the success of the Lee Jae-myung government. The party also urged its candidates for Incheon mayor, Gyeonggi governor and Jeju governor — Park Chan-dae, Choo Mi-ae and Wi Seong-gon — to give their all.
At a nomination rally for Incheon, Gyeonggi and Jeju held at KINTEX in Goyang, the party said voters should deliver a stern judgment against the People Power Party, accusing it of repeatedly making “Yoon Again” nominations, and said an overwhelming win would help support the Lee government’s state affairs.
Party leader Jung Cheong-rae said, “Winning the local elections and ensuring the success of the Lee Jae-myung government is the spirit of the times and a mission for those living in 2026.” He added, “The embers of the insurrection are still stirring in places,” and said the People Power Party, which he said has not yet reflected on the insurrection, would face “the people’s stern judgment.”
Jung said the election would be “another challenge” to fully realize what he called President Lee’s agenda of locally led growth, balanced national development and the Lee government’s governing philosophy. He said he hoped the party’s pledge to build a country where people “live well across the board” would be reflected in an election victory.
Jung called for strong support for the party’s candidates, saying, “With Choo, we can trust Gyeonggi’s future,” and that Park would reopen Incheon’s “growth potential,” while Wi would make Jeju’s future “brighter than ever.” He added, “The Democratic Party will also mobilize all its capabilities to support the candidates. I ask you to win without fail.”
Choo responded, “Only a desperate mindset and effort can protect democracy and subdue the insurrection forces,” adding that winning in border areas would be “more valuable” than any other victory.
Park said he was campaigning with the resolve to “win without fail” and show the Lee government’s philosophy and competence in Incheon. “With that sense of responsibility and expectation of victory, we will win,” he said.
Wi said, “Today we came here for the Lee Jae-myung government and a Republic of Korea where everyone is happy,” and urged a united push to win the local elections and build a country where “everyone lives well.”
The candidates adopted a resolution calling for: uniting as “one team” by region to promote national unity; acting as responsible ruling-party candidates to drive the Lee government’s success and national development; and winning a landslide in the local elections to support state affairs by following “the people’s command.”
Also attending were by-election candidates Lee Kwang-jae (Hanam-gap), Kim Yong-nam (Pyeongtaek-eul), Kim Nam-kuk (Ansan-gap), Song Young-gil (Yeonsu-gap) and Kim Nam-jun (Gyeyang-eul).
Song and Kim Nam-jun reiterated their determination to win, saying they would work so “everyone can win” as Democratic Party candidates, and, “Kim Nam-jun will keep Lee Jae-myung’s promise.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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