Is South Korea's DP's Lee Gaining Momentum in a Liberal Stronghold While PPP's Kim Apologizes for Martial Law?

Seoul, May 15 (NationPress) The Democratic Party (DP) candidate, Lee Jae-myung, conducted a campaign rally in South Jeolla Province on Thursday. In contrast, Kim Moon-soo, the candidate from the People Power Party (PPP), extended an apology regarding the unsuccessful martial law initiative by former President Yoon Suk Yeol, with the presidential election just three weeks away.

Lee, Kim, and Lee Jun-seok from the minor New Reform Party are engaged in a competitive race for the presidential vote on June 3, aiming to select a successor for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office due to the failed martial law attempt. Currently, DP's Lee has a significant lead in the opinion polls.

A recent National Barometer Survey revealed that Lee of the DP is ahead with 49% support, compared to Kim's 27%, while the minor party's Lee trails with 7%.

South Jeolla Province is recognized as a bastion for the DP. Kim from the PPP, which still grapples with the aftermath of Yoon's removal, has issued his second public apology concerning Yoon's martial law attempt.

While in Seoul, Kim expressed his sincere regret for Yoon's martial law fiasco, aiming to expand his voter base as he works to narrow the gap with the DP candidate.

Lee of the DP commenced the fourth day of his official campaign by engaging in live YouTube discussions with young voters at Hwagae Market in Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province, focusing on issues like employment, housing, and child care.

Afterward, Lee visited the cities of Gwangyang, Yeosu, and Suncheon, with plans to appeal to voters in Mokpo in Jeolla Province, traditionally a stronghold for the liberal DP.

In a Facebook update, Lee conveyed his heartfelt thanks to teachers for their commitment to student guidance, coinciding with Teacher's Day celebrations on Thursday.

On the same day, Kim of the PPP concentrated on the Seoul Metropolitan Area, initiating his agenda with a breakfast meeting focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and business strategies at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business.

During this meeting, Kim committed to revising the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, which holds employers and corporations accountable for fatal incidents in public settings.

Kim declared, 'If I become the decision-maker, I will ensure that this detrimental law no longer disrupts you.'

Following this, he visited Sindorim Station in southwestern Seoul to interact with commuters.

Additionally, Kim held a lunch meeting with Joseph Yun, the acting US ambassador to South Korea, at the ambassador's residence in central Seoul. The discussions likely covered various bilateral matters, including US tariffs and security under President Donald Trump's second term, as reported by Yonhap.

Kim's focus on economic and foreign policy is part of his strategy to reach voters in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, a demographic less swayed by regional loyalties and more responsive to policy discussions.

This week, Kim campaigned in Daegu, Busan, and other areas in the Yeongnam region of southeastern Korea to rally conservative voter support before returning to Seoul.