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Song Seung-hyun songsh@ajunews.com

Innovation Party Appeals for Support Ahead of Local Elections The Justice Innovation Party appealed for voter support on June 2, one day before the local elections, urging citizens to vote for its candidates to uphold the efforts and values of the democratic camp. The party also called for a decisive judgment against the conservative People Power Party and others, emphasizing the need to prevent illegal martial law. Lee Hae-min, the party's secretary-general, addressed reporters at the National Assembly, stating, "In just a few hours, the official campaigning for the local elections and the National Assembly by-elections will conclude at midnight. During this critical and urgent time, all of our candidates and party members are igniting their final efforts in a 63-hour blue relay across the nation." On June 1, Lee noted that the party's candidates were earnestly greeting citizens despite heavy rain, urging them to vote for candidate No. 3, the Justice Innovation Party, to protect their efforts and values. He emphasized, "You can mark candidate No. 3 and then vote for the democratic camp candidates." Lee argued that the local elections are an opportunity to hold accountable the People Power Party and other conservative factions that have claimed illegal martial law and fraudulent elections. "There are still forces that trample on democracy by mobilizing the military simply because they do not like the results, spreading extreme conspiracy theories that deny election outcomes," he said, referring to candidates Oh Se-hoon and Yoo Yi-dong from the People Power Party, as well as independent candidate Han Dong-hoon and Hwang Kyo-ahn from the Liberty Korea Party, who he claimed are not free from the failures of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. He added, "The true judges of these candidates are the citizens. I earnestly request that you decisively judge them through your votes tomorrow, with a heartfelt desire to prevent illegal martial law." Additionally, Lee reiterated his call for support for candidate Justice in the key battleground of Pyeongtaek, which has long been marginalized in the political landscape. "Pyeongtaek has been pushed back in the political interests for a long time and has faced reverse discrimination," he said. "It has potential but has not seen any growth. To develop Pyeongtaek, we need a significant political figure." He concluded, "Justice is a person who can truly change the future of Pyeongtaek. If Justice is elected, Pyeongtaek will grow. He can be the strongest and only bridge to unite the divided democratic camp. I urge everyone to come out to the polls tomorrow and show the power of the people."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 11:00:00
[[6·3 Local Elections]] Democratic Party Targets Kim Kwan-young and Cho Kuk Ahead of Elections On June 1, as the June 3 local elections and National Assembly by-elections approach, the Democratic Party has intensified its efforts to counter independent candidate Kim Kwan-young and Cho Kuk of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party in Jeonbuk and Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. With the elections nearing, the party is mobilizing all resources to secure votes amid the rising momentum of progressive candidates. The Democratic Party emphasized that Kim Kwan-young's portrayal as a victim shows no signs of ending, reiterating that the party leadership's decision to expel him was justified. Spokesperson Han Min-soo stated in a briefing, "Kim has made statements suggesting that the party intentionally cut him off to promote candidate Lee Won-taek. If he spreads false information under the guise of victimhood, we will hold him legally accountable. How much more do we need to clarify? If there had been no illegal cash distribution, would there have been a reason to expel him?" Cho Sung-rae, the party's secretary-general, warned during a press conference that the Jeonbuk gubernatorial election is a contest between the ruling party and independent candidates. He stated, "Wise voters will choose the ruling party candidate, and even if Kim Kwan-young wins, he will have to face a re-election." Regarding Cho Kuk, who is in a tight race with candidate Kim Yong-nam in Pyeongtaek, Cho Sung-rae noted, "Kim Yong-nam has maintained his support despite the negative campaign from the Innovation Party. In fact, Democratic supporters in Pyeongtaek are rallying around Kim Yong-nam as the Democratic candidate." He added, "Party members supporting Kim Yong-nam should also support this candidate. Both candidates are receiving full backing from the party." Previously, on May 31, the Democratic Party had criticized both Kim Kwan-young and Cho Kuk, stating, "We cannot show leniency to someone who has been disciplined for illegal cash distribution," and urged Cho Kuk to compete under the name of the Innovation Party instead of hiding behind the Democratic Party's name. In response, Lee Hae-min, secretary-general of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "As the election draws to a close, they are resorting to name-calling." 2026-06-01 15:21:00
[[6·3 Local Elections]] Opposition Criticizes Song Eon-seok's Meeting as Negative Campaigning The Democratic Party criticized Song Eon-seok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, on June 1 for his recent public appeal meeting, stating it was filled with candidate attacks and government criticism. They called for an end to negative campaigning and the introduction of a law to prevent such tactics. Cho Seung-rae, the party's secretary-general, spoke to reporters at the National Assembly, saying, "This was likely Song's last appeal to the public, but it was filled with attacks on candidates and criticism of the government." Cho specifically pointed out the lack of concrete policies and messages addressing citizens' livelihoods in Song's remarks during the meeting. "There was no specific vision or message regarding policies and livelihoods. It appeared that there was an intention to conduct the election using negative tactics until the end," Cho asserted, adding, "What is needed now is a law to prevent election crimes by the People Power Party." He also expressed concerns about candidates from the People Power Party, including Oh Se-hoon, Park Wan-soo, and Kim Du-gyeom, who are running in the local elections. "Looking at Oh's pledges, some are identical to those from four years ago. What has he done in the past four years to present the same promises? This is evidence of inaction. The citizens of Seoul will judge Oh's incompetence over the past four years," he warned. Cho also criticized Park and Kim, stating, "Park is under suspicion of mobilizing public officials to create deepfake videos," and "Kim has made absurd excuses regarding the operation of an illegal campaign office, claiming he was trying to avoid the rain." Additionally, he commented on former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, who are participating in the People Power Party's campaign, saying, "Relying on past power to influence the election is the epitome of outdated politics. Reasonable citizens will not tolerate two former presidents who have been imprisoned for corruption and abuse of power."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 15:03:00
Innovation Party Criticizes Kim Yong-nam's Pursuit of Power and Wealth The Jo Kuk Innovation Party recently criticized Kim Yong-nam, a candidate from the Democratic Party running in Pyeongtaek, saying he is merely chasing power and wealth while questioning the authenticity of others. They emphasized that for true unity, Jo Kuk, who is also running in the same district, must win. Lee Hae-min, the party's secretary-general, spoke to reporters on June 1 at the National Assembly, stating that the Innovation Party's decision to unify with the Democratic Party during the last presidential election was a significant move for the victory of the broader democratic camp. "Our focus on solidarity is because we share the values that led to the success of the progressive government," he said. Targeting Kim, Lee remarked, "Just a year ago, he was wearing red for a long time, then briefly switched to orange, and now, since he didn't receive a nomination, he has changed to blue in pursuit of power. He is the one questioning who is genuine and who is fake. His values are not those of the democratic camp but rather of power and money." Lee referred to Kim as 'filth' and questioned whether the Democratic Party should share in this disgrace. "Is it necessary for the Democratic Party to get involved in this filth? Is the shame solely the responsibility of the party members?" he asked. He further asserted that for the sake of true solidarity with the Lee Jae-myung government, Jo Kuk must be elected in the upcoming by-election. "Considering the future political landscape, it is crucial for Jo, who has consistently worked to create meaning in unity and solidarity with the Lee Jae-myung government, to be elected to realize these values as quickly as possible," he concluded.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 11:27:00
Election Campaigns Intensify Ahead of Local Elections Amid Internal Party Struggles As early voting begins, the leaders of both major parties are ramping up efforts for victory in the June 3 local elections. However, internal dissent is surfacing within their parties. On May 30, political sources reported that Jeong Cheong-rae, the leader of the Democratic Party, is struggling in the Jeollabuk-do region, where there have been signs of avoidance of Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party. The Democratic Party is facing concerns about potentially losing the Jeollabuk-do governorship, a traditional stronghold, due to the rise of independent candidate Kim Kwan-young, who has declared his candidacy in defiance of the party's primary results. Local sentiment in Jeollabuk-do has led regional committee leaders to request Jeong to refrain from campaigning in the area, stating, "Please stop coming here." Song Tae-kyu, the Democratic Party's Iksan City committee chair, expressed on Facebook on May 29, "We appreciate the efforts you are making across the country, and we feel your genuine affection for Jeollabuk-do. However, it is time for you to stop coming. Please focus your efforts on other regions and let go of your concerns for Jeollabuk-do." He added, "Jeollabuk-do is not a region that will always wait patiently. Central politics must remember that it is not a quiet place without a voice." Previously, Jeong had posted about five times on Facebook by May 28, urging support for candidate Lee Won-taek. On the same day, he appeared on Kim Eo-jun's News Factory, apologizing for not understanding the sentiments of Jeollabuk-do residents and demonstrating efforts to secure the region. Jang is also facing challenges as some candidates from the People Power Party are distancing themselves from him due to concerns about losing moderate voters. Oh Se-hoon, the candidate for Seoul mayor, has kept his distance from Jang since the early stages of the campaign. On May 26, during an appearance on BBS Radio's "Kim Tae-seop's Morning Journal," he stated regarding Jang, "There probably won't be any invitations in the metropolitan area. There is no reason for him to rush to support the election in Seoul." Daejeon's mayoral candidate Lee Jang-woo also did not appear alongside Jang during his campaign activities in Daejeon on May 28, raising suspicions of a "Jang avoidance" phenomenon. Dissatisfaction within the party has surged since Jang was appointed as the head of the election campaign committee on May 13. Woo Jae-jun, a prominent member of the pro-Han (pro-Han Dong-hoon) faction, called for Jang to step back from the front lines and did not attend the launch ceremony, insisting that Jang should withdraw from active campaigning.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-30 10:03:00
National Assembly Leadership Concludes Term; Woo Won-sik Emphasizes Unity The leadership of the 22nd National Assembly, including Speaker Woo Won-sik and Deputy Speakers Lee Hak-young and Joo Ho-young, officially concluded their terms during a retirement ceremony on May 29. Speaker Woo reflected on the past two years, stating, "The National Assembly must always prioritize the people." During the ceremony held in the National Assembly, Woo remarked, "I believe we have worked to protect democracy and, through that democracy, to safeguard the lives of the people." He emphasized the need for the National Assembly to continuously operate for the benefit of the public, stating, "There are many barriers in the National Assembly, including conflicts, political strife, and partisanship. If the Assembly becomes stalled due to these barriers while the people's lives continue without pause, it will only make life harder for the public and widen the gap between the Assembly and the people." Woo added, "I will return to being a regular member starting tomorrow. I will persistently work to ensure that democracy, proven through the lives of the people, becomes the strongest weapon for those who are weak. It has been a great honor to serve as Speaker during such a complex and critical time over the past two years." Deputy Speaker Lee expressed gratitude, saying, "Speaker Woo led us exceptionally well over the past two years. We faced historical challenges together and overcame them. It has been a tremendous honor for me, and I sincerely thank everyone who shared this honor with us." Deputy Speaker Joo noted, "The first half of the National Assembly has seen many events, but as the opposition, there were many regrets. I question whether we have properly checked the executive branch under the principle of separation of powers, as the ruling party has unilaterally supported the government." He added, "Successful democracies are based on tolerance and restraint. I have worried that we might be going astray due to ignorance and arrogance."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 16:27:00
Early Voting Kicks Off for Local Elections Amid Calls for Housing Solutions On the first day of early voting for the June 3 local elections, the early voting site at the Yeouido Community Center in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, was bustling with voters during lunchtime. Many citizens voiced their concerns, calling for solutions to the housing crisis as they participated in the voting process. Located in Yeouido, where many office workers are employed, the community center saw long lines forming outside the polling station by 11:30 a.m., reflecting the high interest in this local election. Office workers arrived wearing their employee badges or dressed in business attire and work uniforms. Additionally, military personnel, visually impaired individuals, and seniors received assistance to cast their votes. As noon approached, the line stretched approximately 150 meters from the entrance. Some voters, upon hearing that the wait would exceed 30 minutes, decided to leave and return after lunch. The unusually hot weather prompted many to use umbrellas, hand fans, and portable fans to stay cool. After voting, citizens uniformly expressed their desire for the next mayor of Seoul to address the housing issue. A man in his 60s, who voted for Jung Won-oh of the Democratic Party, stated, "The most important issue in this election is real estate," emphasizing the need for more opportunities for younger generations. A woman in her 20s who supported Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party echoed similar sentiments, saying, "I hope a living environment can be created for those in their 20s to live alone in Seoul. The burden of rent and housing prices is too high." A man in his 40s who also voted for Oh remarked, "While we need to expand housing supply through reconstruction and redevelopment, it should be done in a balanced way to avoid price instability." He noted that the political discourse has been overshadowed by allegations and conflicts rather than policy competition. Interestingly, despite earlier polls favoring Jung, there were signs of momentum for Oh among voters, who cited his experience as a four-term mayor as a reason for their support. A woman in her 30s, identifying as undecided, said, "There aren't any standout candidates, but I chose Oh. It's important whether he can check the Blue House and the ruling party. I hope he works for the country." Both the woman and the man who supported Oh highlighted his current position as mayor, believing he has a better understanding of city governance, and praised his extensive administrative experience. By 12:30 p.m., the long lines that had extended outside the entrance had noticeably diminished. A polling station official reported that approximately 1,600 people had voted by that time, an increase of about 300 from 11:42 a.m. According to the National Election Commission, the national average voter turnout by 3 p.m. was recorded at 8.15%, which is 0.9 percentage points higher than the early voting rate of 7.25% at the same time during the 2022 local elections. Early voting will continue for two days, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 3,571 locations nationwide. Voters aged 18 and older must present a government-issued ID that includes their date of birth and photo, such as a resident registration card, passport, or driver's license. Mobile IDs are also accepted, but screenshots or image files are not valid. Voters casting ballots at polling stations in their registered districts will receive a ballot, mark it, and place it directly into the ballot box. However, voters at polling stations outside their registered districts must receive both a ballot and a return envelope, mark the ballot, place it in the envelope, seal it, and then submit it into the ballot box. Detailed locations of early voting sites can be found on the election commission's website or by calling their hotline at 1390.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 16:24:00
Ruling Party Warns Opposition Candidates of Serious Consequences Amid Election Controversies On May 29, the Democratic Party issued a warning to the opposition amid ongoing controversies surrounding the local elections, specifically addressing allegations of deepfake video production and distribution linked to Park Wan-soo, the People Power Party's candidate for Gyeongnam governor, and accusations of online comment manipulation involving Oh Se-hoon, the party's candidate for Seoul mayor. The party asserted that these issues would lead to serious consequences for the opposition. Kang Jun-hyun, the party's spokesperson, spoke to reporters at the National Assembly, emphasizing the importance of active voter participation on the first day of early voting. "We urge the public to exercise their valuable right to vote," he said, noting that problems related to the People Power Party candidates continue to emerge. Kang highlighted reports from May 28 that raised concerns about illegal AI deepfake election videos being created and distributed by Park's campaign, as well as indications of election interference by Gyeongnam provincial officials. He stated, "If true, this constitutes a serious violation of the Public Official Election Act and is one of the most severe election crimes." He further remarked, "This is also an instance of administrative power being mobilized for electoral purposes. Elections are a stage for the people's choice, not a mud fight where one can win through crime and rule-breaking." Regarding the recent controversy surrounding Oh's alleged comment manipulation, Kang noted, "There are reports that malicious posts were created and systematically disseminated with the intent of causing the defeat of candidate Jeong Won-ho. A representative from Oh's camp even mentioned that they had previously changed the game during the 2021 by-elections through a comment campaign." Kang criticized the People Power Party, questioning whether they take pride in manipulating public opinion. He recalled the remnants of similar tactics from the Lee Myung-bak administration, warning that the unethical approach of prioritizing electoral victory over political integrity would now face severe scrutiny. Additionally, Kang pointed to recent polling data indicating that Lee Won-taek is leading Kim Kwan-young in the race for the Gyeongbuk governor position, suggesting that public sentiment in the region is rallying behind the Democratic Party. He concluded by stating, "What Kim should do now is not to dream of an unrealistic return to the party but to show integrity by apologizing to party members and resigning. I urge the voters of Jeonbuk, who support President Lee Jae-myung, to choose him."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 15:45:00
Jung Won-oh Urges Early Voting, Promises to Prioritize Citizens' Safety Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, focused on voter outreach on the first day of early voting, stating, "This election is about choosing who will take responsibility for citizens' lives. Change the standards of Seoul through early voting." He highlighted recent safety concerns, including allegations of missing rebar in the GTX-A project and the collapse of the Seosomun overpass, pledging to create a safer Seoul for its residents. During a meeting of his central campaign committee, Jung said, "This election is about choosing who will take responsibility for citizens' lives. What Seoul needs now is not political slogans but action." He encouraged voters to change the standards of Seoul through early voting, which runs for two days. He criticized Oh Se-hoon, the candidate from the People Power Party, stating, "To create tangible change that citizens can feel, we must work hand in hand with the central government. However, Oh seeks to drag Seoul into political strife instead of addressing discomfort and insecurity." Jung urged voters to make a wise decision on whether to allow incompetence and irresponsibility to continue or to start a new Seoul that transforms citizens' daily lives. Jung reiterated his commitment to prioritizing citizen safety, referencing the recent safety incidents. He stated, "Life and safety are values that cannot be compromised. I will make citizen safety the top priority of my administration, shifting to proactive governance that predicts and prevents risks before accidents occur." He proposed establishing a Life Safety Committee under the mayor's office to oversee safety inspections across Seoul. He concluded, "The mayor is responsible for the lives of citizens. During Oh's decade in office, what citizens have experienced are repeated accidents, housing insecurity, and neglected livelihoods. Change the standards of safety, housing, and livelihood recovery in Seoul through early voting. Choose Jung Won-oh, a capable mayor for Seoul."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 10:08:00
Jung Cheong-rae Urges Supporters of Lee Jae-myung to Vote for Jeong Won-o Jung Cheong-rae, the head of the Democratic Party, encouraged all citizens supporting President Lee Jae-myung to vote for Jeong Won-o on the first day of early voting for the local elections on May 29. He emphasized, "If you support President Lee and want this government to operate more stably, please vote for the Democratic Party." During a meeting of the Central Election Countermeasures Committee at Jeong's campaign headquarters, Jung stated, "Voting is stronger than a bullet. Power does not come from the barrel of a gun but from the ballot box," urging citizens to come out and vote. He added, "If you vote, you can win. I appeal to all citizens supporting President Lee and the people of Seoul to go to the polls." Jung described this local election as a chance to empower President Lee, urging those who believe he is doing a good job to support Democratic candidates. He also continued to express the need to check the opposition party, People Power Party, as early voting commenced, marking the start of the election phase. He criticized the People Power Party, saying, "Seeing them still dreaming of a revival of Yoon Seok-yeol and shouting 'Yoon Again' makes me wonder what era they belong to. Is it a nomination for rebellion or rebellion for nomination? They continue to show a regressive attitude, trying to turn the water wheel with water that has already flowed away." Jung pointed out that the commonality among Yoon Seok-yeol, Lee Myung-bak, and Park Geun-hye is that they are all imprisoned. He stated, "The people will never tolerate attempts to reverse the history of South Korea by these three. The Democratic Party is not finished until the end. We will conduct our campaign with humility and a low profile until the last moment."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 10:00:00