Final Campaign Push Ahead of June 3 Local Elections in South Korea

On June 2, one day before the June 3 local elections and National Assembly by-elections, Jung Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, and Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, visited Gangwon Province and South Chungcheong Province, respectively, to rally support. The two leaders then returned to Seoul, a key battleground, to encourage voter turnout.

Jung campaigned vigorously in Jeongseon and Yeongwol, aiming to reclaim the governorship of Gangwon Province with candidate Woo Sang-ho. Addressing the residents, he stated, "How much do we want to win that I came to Gangwon on the last day? The Democratic Party can fully support the laws and budgets necessary for the eradication of insurrection forces and the development of Gangwon."

He characterized the local elections as a chance to strengthen President Lee Jae-myung, overcome martial law and insurrection, and elect capable officials. He promised, "For Gangwon to develop, we need budgets and laws. I will do everything that candidate Woo asks for."

Jung also criticized former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, who have been campaigning to consolidate conservative support. He remarked, "Can we accept that those who were impeached by the people and imprisoned for corruption are now wandering around the election scene? We must show that their presence is useless for the normalization of the Republic of Korea and for an effective local government."

Meanwhile, Jang toured Cheongyang, Gongju, Dangjin, and Cheonan, focusing on the central region. He campaigned intensively in South Chungcheong Province, having visited the area three times in recent days. In addition to South Chungcheong, he made four visits to Daejeon and one to Sejong over 13 days, totaling eight visits to the Chungcheong region.

While campaigning in Dangjin with candidate Kim Tae-heum, Jang urged voters to "entrust the future of a great South Chungcheong to candidate Kim, so we can create a strong province." He criticized Democratic Party candidates, stating, "They couldn’t say a word in debates and don’t even know their own pledges or addresses. They just put up sticks as candidates." He emphasized the need to judge the arrogance of President Lee and the Democratic Party through voting.
  On the final day of campaigning, both leaders returned to Seoul to encourage citizen participation in voting. Jung held a press conference at the National Assembly, urging voters to support the Democratic Party's candidates, saying, "Vote for the number one candidate from the Democratic Party to give a strong boost to this capable government. Power comes not from the barrel of a gun but from the ballot box. We must severely judge the anti-constitutional and anti-democratic forces." He planned to support candidate Jeong Won-o's final campaign rally in Cheonggye Plaza in central Seoul.

Jang also held a press conference at the party headquarters in Yeouido, stating, "This election will determine my life and the future of the Republic of Korea. I will protect the homes, properties, and freedoms of the people. Please gather your strength for the People Power Party, number two on the ballot." Later in the evening, he planned to visit areas with many young voters, such as Jongno 3-ga Station and Hongdae, to encourage them to exercise their voting rights.

Additionally, Han Byeong-do, the Democratic Party's floor leader, and Song Eon-seok, the People Power Party's floor leader, visited their respective strongholds in North Jeolla and South Gyeongsang Provinces to secure votes. Han accompanied candidate Lee Won-taek throughout the day, providing full support as Lee competes against independent candidate Kim Kwan-young.