Balance argument gains traction against Democratic Party dominance; conservative consolidation possible in Pyeongtaek by-election

Park Soo-hyun, the Democratic Party candidate, and Kim Tae-heum, the People Power Party candidate, for the South Chungcheong gubernatorial race [Yonhap]
Park Soo-hyun, the Democratic Party candidate, and Kim Tae-heum, the People Power Party candidate, for the South Chungcheong gubernatorial race [Yonhap]

By Kim Do-yoon, The Herald Business

People Power Party lawmaker Seong Il-jong said Monday that PPP candidate Kim Tae-heum is currently ahead in the South Chungcheong gubernatorial race and that the party has a real shot at winning seven or eight metropolitan and provincial governorships nationwide in the June 3 local elections.

Appearing on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Morning Focus" that day, Seong said the frequency of Democratic Party leadership visits to South Chungcheong was itself evidence that the party was struggling there. "The fact that Democratic Party leaders have been wearing out their shoe soles coming down to the region shows just how difficult the South Chungcheong race has become for them," he said.

Seong highlighted Kim's record as governor, saying investment attraction had grown from roughly 14 trillion won (about $9.26 billion) under the previous governor to 50 trillion won under Kim, while the province's share of the national budget rose from 8 trillion won to 12 trillion won. He added that controversies — including the editing of Kim's opening remarks by Daejeon MBC and the election commission's failure to distribute campaign materials — had backfired, generating sympathy among residents that was now showing up as rising approval ratings for Kim.

On the national picture, Seong said the early expectation of a 15-to-1 Democratic sweep had given way to a growing public sentiment favoring balance. "We are currently ahead in about five races, and Seoul and Busan are both competitive, so I think we can realistically win seven or eight in the end," he said.

Seong also criticized President Lee Jae Myung for what he called blatant interference in the election. "Taking a ballot into the booth and then bringing it back out is simply unacceptable," he said. He added that it was inappropriate for the president to visit key battleground areas on overnight trips and to move up the "Ocean Day" event, particularly amid what he described as unprecedented acts of state destruction such as the withdrawal of criminal indictments.

Meanwhile, on the possibility of conservative consolidation in the Pyeongtaek by-election in Gyeonggi Province, Seong said all candidates except Yoo Eui-dong were outsiders to the district, which could affect how local voters cast their ballots. "I think there is a possibility that candidate Hwang Kyo-ahn could make a decision — stepping aside voluntarily — for the greater good," he said.


kido@heraldcorp.com