AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Lee Da-hui
  • Jang Dong-hyuk Wraps Up Campaign with Final Walk in Jongno and Hongdae
    Jang Dong-hyuk Wraps Up Campaign with Final Walk in Jongno and Hongdae Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, concluded his official campaign on June 2, one day before the local elections, in Seoul, a key battleground. He visited Jongno 3-ga Station and Hongdae to encourage voter participation.At around 10:20 p.m., Jang walked along the street filled with food stalls connecting Line 5 to Line 1 at Jongno 3-ga Station, greeting citizens. The area was bustling with young people in their 20s and 30s, as well as foreign visitors.As Jang appeared, citizens sitting at outdoor tables showed interest, cheering, "You're handsome!" "Go Jang Dong-hyuk!" and "The People Power Party will win!" Many requested to take photos with him, while some expressed confusion, asking, "Who is he, Oh Se-hoon?"Jang made his way to each outdoor table, shaking hands and posing for photos with citizens. He urged them, "Please vote for number 2," and "Make sure to vote tomorrow."At around 11 p.m., Jang moved to Hongdae Station to continue his walk campaign, greeting citizens and appealing for support.As midnight approached, he stated, "I am now wrapping up the People Power Party's campaign," emphasizing, "Please go to the polls tomorrow and support the People Power Party." He also addressed the recent 'Starbucks controversy,' saying, "If you protect the People Power Party, we will safeguard your freedom over a cup of coffee."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-03 00:27:00
  • Oh Se-hoon Holds Final Campaign Rally in Sinchon
    Oh Se-hoon Holds Final Campaign Rally in Sinchon “Experience matters. The person who has been working will do well.”On the evening of June 2, just one day before the local elections, Sinchon Station in the Seodaemun District of Seoul was filled with supporters attending the final rally of Oh Se-hoon, the candidate from the People Power Party. Given the area's proximity to several universities, many in the 2030 age group were also present.As citizens waved placards bearing Oh's name and the number '2', they cheered for his arrival. When Oh greeted the crowd with a hoarse voice, some expressed concern, saying, “Oh no, your voice is hoarse,” and “Your voice is completely gone.”In interviews with Aju Economy, citizens shared their reasons for supporting Oh. Jeong Myeong-seon, a woman in her 60s living in Seodaemun, stated, “I don’t support the party, but I support the person,” expressing hope for Oh's victory. She explained, “I was originally a member of the People Power Party but left due to the Park Geun-hye administration's corruption scandal. Recently, I have grown disillusioned with the party under former President Yoon Suk-yeol.”While acknowledging that Jeong Won-oh, the Democratic Party candidate, has accumulated significant achievements as the head of the Seongdong District Office, she emphasized the importance of completing ongoing projects, such as the redevelopment of the Yujin Shopping Center and the light rail project, stating, “The person who has been working should finish what they started.”Recent social media trends, such as the 'Main Enemy Challenge,' have also emerged as a reason for supporting Oh. This challenge involves asking candidates, “Who do you consider the main enemy of South Korea?” and gauging their responses. It has primarily targeted candidates from the ruling party, with conservative candidates naming “North Korea” while Democratic candidates often evade the question, becoming subjects of ridicule.Kim, a 23-year-old living in Sinchon, remarked, “Seeing Democratic candidates unable to name North Korea as the main enemy made me decide to support the People Power Party candidate.” He added, “I’m not a party member, but I support them.”A man in his 60s, Baek, who resides in Mapo, shared, “I was neutral before, but I became concerned when Democratic candidates couldn’t name North Korea as the main enemy.” He mentioned that he had not participated in early voting but planned to vote for Oh in the main election.Park, a 65-year-old supporter who came to cheer for Oh's final rally in Eunpyeong, expressed dissatisfaction with President Lee Jae-myung, stating, “There are many things I don’t like about what this president is doing,” and added, “The president and the Democratic candidates have so many issues that they are not worthy of my vote.” 2026-06-02 21:45:00
  • Candidate Unification Fails in Key Elections in Pyeongtaek and Busan
    Candidate Unification Fails in Key Elections in Pyeongtaek and Busan 6.3 by-elections in Pyeongtaek and Busan North Gap are heating up as candidate unification efforts have effectively collapsed, leading to heightened tensions among the candidates. Initially, there was speculation about a possible unification of progressive and conservative candidates, but escalating power struggles have deepened divisions.According to political sources on June 2, the conflict in Pyeongtaek has escalated into a partisan battle. Jo Guk of the Jo Guk Innovation Party has launched a concentrated attack on Kim Yong-nam of the Democratic Party over allegations of operating a loan shark business, prompting a negative campaign between the Democratic Party and the Innovation Party. As the Innovation Party pressured Kim to reconsider his candidacy, the Democratic Party labeled Jo as a 'fake Democratic candidate,' intensifying their counterattacks.On the eve of the election, Democratic Party Secretary-General Jo Seung-rae stated, "The Democratic candidate for Pyeongtaek is Kim Yong-nam, not Jo Guk," asserting that while it may appear to be a two-horse race, the People Power Party candidate's support is rising, increasing the likelihood of a three-way contest. He previously questioned Jo's legitimacy, asking, "Why is the Innovation Party candidate running under the guise of the Democratic Party?" Jo countered, saying, "Can't you hear the voices across the country of forces conspiring against the Democratic progressive camp?"Meanwhile, Yoo Ui-dong of the People Power Party left the door open for unification with Hwang Kyo-ahn of the Liberty and Innovation Party. In an emergency press conference, Yoo urged Hwang to unify, stating, "We cannot let our small differences allow the candidates of privilege and unfairness to take Pyeongtaek." He added, "Public sentiment is already leaning towards me. A decisive victory is possible even in a five-candidate race, but if we unite, a more certain and overwhelming victory is guaranteed. Let’s set aside our minor differences and work together on the larger path." However, Hwang's conditions for unification, which include an apology regarding former President Park Geun-hye and a change in stance on election fraud, have led to skepticism about the feasibility of such an alliance.In Busan North Gap, the three candidates are also engaged in mutual attacks. Democratic candidate Ha Jung-woo took to Facebook to target independent candidate Han Dong-hoon, stating, "I am not a powerful special prosecutor or a media-favored presidential contender. I lack flashy rhetoric and enthusiastic fandom. However, what I possess is a strong will and desire to work for Buk-gu." He emphasized, "I have no ambition to become president or rebuild conservatism; my only responsibility and mission is to work for Buk-gu."In contrast, Han responded to allegations of 'collective false residency' raised by the Democratic Party, calling them "absurd claims that are the opposite of the reality in Buk-gu," and hinted at legal action. The Democratic Party's Busan chapter had previously reported that Han and his supporters were attempting organized and collective false residency in Buk-gu and called for a thorough investigation by the election commission.Han pointed to monthly population statistics released by the Buk-gu office, showing a decline in population in April and May, arguing, "If there were organized false residencies, how could the population continue to decrease? The desperation of the Democratic Party and Ha's camp, facing imminent defeat, is clearly revealed through their false smear tactics. I will hold them accountable without exception for their mudslinging tactics that turn the election into a quagmire."Meanwhile, Park Min-sik of the People Power Party intensified his attacks on Han, stating, "Please judge the other independent candidate who sees Buk-gu as just a stop on the way to division among conservatives with your vote." Kim Seong-geun, an independent candidate in the Busan North Gap by-election, announced his withdrawal from the race and declared his support for Park a day before the election. Park described Kim's endorsement as a judgment and warning against forces that attempted to distort public sentiment through dubious opinion polls, asserting, "There is a rising anger among true Buk-gu residents to eradicate fake transient politics and opportunistic politics."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 16:24:00
  • Song Eon-seok Appeals to Young Voters Ahead of Local Elections
    Song Eon-seok Appeals to Young Voters Ahead of Local Elections Song Eon-seok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, urged young voters to participate in the upcoming local elections during a press conference at the National Assembly on June 2, one day before the polls. "Young people have always been the ones to determine the trends of a new society. Your participation can create a new political trend," he stated. He acknowledged that many young people feel there is no party that represents their interests under the current two-party system dominated by the People Power Party and the Democratic Party. "This is entirely due to the shortcomings of the established political sphere, and I humbly reflect on this," he said. Song noted that while the People Power Party has made efforts to protect the interests of youth and future generations, it has fallen short in developing impactful policies, facilitating communication channels for youth in politics, and providing opportunities for political participation. He referenced the 'enemy challenge' posed to candidates, asking them to identify the main adversary of South Korea. "Some in the leftist establishment hastily dismiss this as outdated rhetoric, accusing young people of extremism. The question from the youth is straightforward: Why did I spend a year and a half in military service in my twenties? Answer that clearly," he argued. He criticized those who evade the question by not naming North Korea as the enemy, saying, "This attitude is met with ridicule from the youth." Song expressed his anger over the government's indifference to the recent tragic death of a young soldier during training, stating, "I cannot help but feel furious at the thorough silence from President Lee Jae-myung and the ruling party regarding this matter." He also condemned the hypocrisy of those who advocate for women's rights while being involved in sexual misconduct scandals. He pointed out that while the Lee Jae-myung administration creates laws that benefit elite unions, youth employment continues to decline, and the number of unemployed young people is rising. "Government officials are buying properties in affluent areas while implementing real estate policies that force young people and newlyweds to abandon their dreams of homeownership, pushing them to the outskirts of Seoul and Gyeonggi Province," he said. While acknowledging the People Power Party's shortcomings in protecting youth interests, he assured that the party remains committed to prioritizing the welfare of young people and future generations. "Although we may still lack in fully representing the voices of the youth, we will strive to get closer to their side. I understand that you may feel disillusioned with both the red and blue parties and may want to abstain from voting. However, I urge you not to easily give up your rights," he concluded.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 11:03:00
  • Song Eon-seok: President Lee Should Focus on Citizens Lives, Not Stock Indices
    Song Eon-seok: President Lee Should Focus on Citizens' Lives, Not Stock Indices Song Eon-seok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, urged President Lee Jae-myung on June 1 to focus on the lives of citizens rather than engaging in social media disputes over stock market reports. In a post on Facebook, Song criticized President Lee for responding to media reports that highlighted concerns about the concentration of the semiconductor industry and the struggles of other sectors. Earlier, President Lee shared a report from a securities firm on X (formerly Twitter), stating that excluding semiconductor stocks, the KOSPI index is essentially at the 4,100 to 4,200 range. He argued, "No one says Son Heung-min is an ordinary person if you exclude his soccer skills," and questioned why the overall stock index should be calculated without considering semiconductors, a key industry. Song described the president's behavior as "truly leisurely" in light of recent incidents, including an explosion at a defense facility that resulted in casualties. He acknowledged that while semiconductors are crucial, the weakening competitiveness of other industries and market polarization are concerning issues. "Above all, the president should focus on the lives of the people, not the stock index numbers," Song said, emphasizing that citizens are currently suffering from high inflation, high exchange rates, and high interest rates. He criticized the government for ignoring the public's pain, referring to it as the "cost of success." He added that the anticipated tax increases, rising rents, and interest rates following the local elections are contributing to growing public anxiety. "People are more worried about next month’s tax bills, lease expirations, and loan repayments than stock market gains," he noted. Song expressed concern that the recent surge in credit loans, which increased by over 2.6 trillion won in just one month, and the largest rise in overdraft balances in five years indicate a troubling trend of increased borrowing to invest in the stock market. He warned that if stock prices fluctuate, it could pose significant economic risks to ordinary citizens and households. "President Lee should not boast about rising stock indices as a political achievement but should recognize the warning signs in the economy. Priorities should be on stabilizing prices, reducing tax burdens, alleviating rent pressures, stabilizing real estate, lowering interest burdens, and ensuring stable employment," he emphasized.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 17:48:00
  • Han Dong-hoon: I Will Rebuild Conservatism to Stop Lees Administration
    Han Dong-hoon: 'I Will Rebuild Conservatism to Stop Lee's Administration' Han Dong-hoon, an independent candidate for the Busan North Gap parliamentary by-election, called the upcoming election a crucial and historic opportunity for the reconstruction of conservatism while appealing for last-minute support on June 1. During a press conference at his campaign office in Deokcheon-dong, Busan, Han stated, "We cannot continue to watch the regression of the Jang Dong-hyuk faction within the party." He emphasized, "Opportunities to rebuild conservatism do not come often, and not everyone can raise the banner of conservatism. The public sentiment will be confirmed through the June 3 election, and if I win and provide direction for the reconstruction of conservatism, no one will be able to reject that wind of change." Han also targeted his opponents, Ha Jung-woo of the Democratic Party and Park Min-sik of the People Power Party, saying, "President Lee Jae-myung has sent his avatar into this contest, and the regressive Jang Dong-hyuk faction is presenting Park as their avatar. We must overcome both Ha Jung-woo, Lee Jae-myung's avatar, and Park Min-sik, Jang Dong-hyuk's avatar, to secure the future of South Korea." He warned, "If the Democratic Party candidate wins, the Lee Jae-myung administration will certainly eliminate its own trials. Voting for Park is not just a wasted vote; it effectively means voting for Ha Jung-woo." Han urged, "Who else can prevent the reckless actions of the Lee Jae-myung administration, such as the cancellation of charges? I ask for your votes to help me shatter the reckless policies of the Lee administration." He concluded, "I will ensure that the priorities of Buk-gu become the top priority in Busan and in South Korea. No matter what happens, I will not leave Buk-gu. I will either win and survive here or lose and perish."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 17:27:00
  • People Power Party Intensifies Efforts to Secure Votes in Low Turnout Areas
    People Power Party Intensifies Efforts to Secure Votes in Low Turnout Areas On June 1, just two days before the June 3 local elections, the People Power Party launched a final push to secure votes in areas with low early voting turnout. The early voting rate over the previous two days reached 23.5%, the highest ever for local elections, but conservative strongholds like Daegu and Busan reported lower turnout, prompting efforts to rally support.During a press conference at the National Assembly, Song Eon-seok, the party's floor leader, urged voters to judge the arrogant government of Lee Jae-myung through their ballots. "I know that the People Power Party has many shortcomings, and I feel sorry for that. We must reflect on our actions," he said. "However, we must protect the Republic of Korea, which is at the mercy of the winds. Please provide at least minimal checks on this arrogant power." He added, "I earnestly ask you to press the control button on the ruling party, which is intoxicated by its overwhelming power and the taste of authority, and to warn them against the Democratic Party's reckless behavior through your votes."Song also warned that if voters do not act now, the Lee Jae-myung administration would push for a special investigation into the cancellation of charges, while the Democratic Party would monopolize parliamentary committees, leading to a form of legislative dictatorship. He stated, "If we do not control this now, we may face a situation where we have to witness two years of rampant chaos."Chung Jeong-sik, the party's policy chief, noted that the outcome of this election could be decided by a narrow margin of just 1-2%. He emphasized that the result would depend on voter turnout on election day, urging voters to check the arrogance of the Lee Jae-myung administration and the Democratic Party.During the early voting on May 29-30, Jeollanam-do recorded the highest turnout at 38.95%, while Daegu had the lowest at 18.65%. Following Daegu, Gyeonggi Province had a turnout of 20.96%, and Busan had 21.29%. The low early voting rate in Daegu is believed to be due to conservative voters preferring to vote on the actual election day. Some strong supporters have expressed distrust in early voting, citing claims of election fraud. Nevertheless, Song had previously sent messages to party members urging them to participate in early voting, stating, "The fate of our country depends on how many party members and supporters show up at the polls during the three days of early voting and on election day."On this day, Song planned to focus his campaign efforts in Daegu and Gyeonggi Province, where early voting turnout was low. He clarified that his schedule in Daegu was not determined solely by early voting rates, as he had promised to support Lee Jin-sook, the candidate for the Daegu district. He also aimed to inform voters about the serious flaws in the Democratic Party's candidate for Gyeonggi governor, Choo Mi-ae, which have largely gone unnoticed. However, he had to cancel his schedule in Gyeonggi due to an accident involving Hanwha Aerospace in Daejeon.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 16:15:00
  • Former Presidents Park Geun-hye and Moon Jae-in Take Divergent Paths Ahead of Local Elections
    Former Presidents Park Geun-hye and Moon Jae-in Take Divergent Paths Ahead of Local Elections As the local elections approach, the contrasting actions of former presidents are drawing attention. Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak are actively campaigning for People Power Party candidates, while Moon Jae-in is taking a quieter approach without public endorsements.According to political sources on May 30, Park, once dubbed the 'Queen of Elections,' has been making extensive campaign appearances in regions including Daegu, Chungcheong, and now Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam. This marks her first significant election support effort since her impeachment in 2017, nearly nine years ago. During her visits, she has been accompanied by candidates for local and national offices from the People Power Party, urging voters to support them.Lee Myung-bak has also joined the campaign efforts. On May 15, he walked along Cheonggyecheon in Seoul with Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for mayor, encouraging supporters to back him. He is scheduled to visit Busan on May 31 to express his support for Park Hyung-joon, the candidate for mayor there.In contrast, Moon Jae-in has refrained from any official external activities during this election cycle. Analysts suggest that the poor results of the Democratic Party in the Gyeongnam region during the April 10 elections two years ago may have influenced his decision. Despite his efforts to campaign in Gyeongnam, Busan, and Ulsan at that time, the Democratic Party only secured three seats in the region.The involvement of former presidents in the election is seen as an attempt to galvanize voter turnout among their support bases. With traditional supporters potentially less likely to vote, they are calling for unity. However, there are concerns that such endorsements could backfire. While they may help consolidate support, they could also alienate moderate voters.In Park's case, her return to the political scene after being the first president in South Korea to be impeached could lead to voter fatigue. Therefore, it has been suggested that the messages from former presidents should focus on national unity rather than deepening political divides or reverting to past conflicts.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-30 07:03:00
  • Jang Dong-hyuk Calls President Yoons Ballot Disclosure Clear Intent and Illegal Campaigning
    Jang Dong-hyuk Calls President Yoon's Ballot Disclosure 'Clear Intent and Illegal Campaigning' Jang Dong-hyuk, chairman of the People Power Party, criticized President Yoon Suk-yeol on May 29 for displaying his marked ballot during early voting, calling it "clear intent and illegal campaigning." During an emergency press conference at the party's headquarters in Yeouido, Jang stated, "Is it acceptable for the president to come out of the voting booth and openly shake a marked ballot in front of the cameras, saying, 'I voted for this party's candidate, so I hope you will join me'?" He accused President Yoon of using the excuse that his ballot was not properly marked to bring it outside the voting booth. Jang pointed out that election commission staff attempted to stop him from showing the ballot, yet Yoon continued to display it toward the cameras while questioning the staff. Jang argued, "By holding up a marked ballot in front of numerous cameras and questioning whether it is valid or invalid, he is signaling that he supports this candidate and party, hoping the public will do the same. Especially those who support him will likely act in unison." He further claimed, "The president has openly violated his duty of political neutrality and election impartiality by appealing for support for a specific candidate," adding, "I suspect there was intent behind the act of coming out with a partially marked ballot." Jang emphasized, "This is not a trivial matter. If I had done the same by showing a ballot marked for a specific People Power Party candidate in front of the cameras, Lee Jae-myung would have immediately posted about it on social media, calling for my arrest and detention." He also suggested that Yoon might view the publicity as beneficial, stating, "Both the illegal campaigning and the directive for media control are clear grounds for impeachment." Earlier that day, President Yoon, while voting at the Samcheong-dong Community Center in Jongno, asked officials, "Is it okay if it’s only partially marked? Will it be considered invalid?" After receiving clarification that it would not be an invalid vote, he returned to the booth to complete his voting.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 19:54:00
  • Early Voting Begins for June 3 Local Elections in South Korea
    Early Voting Begins for June 3 Local Elections in South Korea 6·3 지방선거와 국회의원 재·보궐선거 사전투표가 29일부터 이틀간 실시되는 가운데 여야 지도부 및 후보들은 적극적으로 사전투표에 나서며 시민들의 참여를 독려했다.Early voting for the June 3 local elections and the National Assembly by-elections began on May 29 and will continue for two days. Leaders and candidates from both major parties actively participated in early voting and encouraged public participation.Jung Cheong-rae, the head of the Democratic Party's election campaign committee, cast his vote at a local community center in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on May 29. After voting, he told reporters, "If we win in Seoul, we win the nation," expressing his desire to secure a victory in the capital. He added, "If you want the person you hope for to win, please vote. I hope to show the forces that have attacked our democracy the seriousness of the Constitution through the power of your vote."Meanwhile, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk participated in the main voting, while floor leader Song Eon-seok planned to vote early on the second day, May 30, in his constituency of Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province.Candidates for local leadership positions also began their schedules with early voting and encouraged voter turnout. Both Jung Won-o, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor, and Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate, participated in early voting.Jung completed his vote at the early voting site in the administrative complex of Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, and told reporters, "The citizens' demand for new energy and new leadership will be revealed in this election. The results may be close, but I will strive for victory with that hope."Oh visited the early voting site at the Hanam-dong community center in Yongsan-gu, where he stated, "Seoul stands at a crossroads of whether to move toward the future or regress, and whether Korea's democracy will advance or fall into dictatorship. I hope voters will deeply consider how to lead President Lee Jae-myung with a more humble approach through this election."In Busan, a key battleground, Democratic Party candidate Jeon Jae-soo and Ha Jung-woo, a candidate for the Busan North District by-election, both participated in early voting. Jeon stated, "I will complete the vision of Busan as a maritime capital with the citizens of Busan," emphasizing the need for representation, as there are currently no ruling party members among the 18 Busan National Assembly members.Ha added, "If I become a representative who has worked with the government, ruling party, and the Blue House in my district, we can quickly overcome the shortcomings of the past 20 years of development," appealing for votes.Independent candidate Han Dong-hoon, who voted early, criticized Ha, saying, "A candidate who cannot even vote alone cannot lead the North District," and expressed sympathy for Jeon, stating, "Ha is becoming a significant burden for Jeon." People Power Party candidate Park Min-sik also completed early voting on the same day.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 16:24:00