The Democratic Party of Korea has embarked on a media outreach effort in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province (TK). Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, has identified the so-called "demonization escape" as a core part of the TK election strategy. The party believes that there is a malicious image cast on the candidate in the conservative stronghold, and resolving this could sway voter sentiment in TK.
Some are voicing expectations of a "40% vote rate." Amid the turbulence in conservative voter sentiment caused by presidential impeachment and candidate unification disputes, there is hope for a rise in the vote rate through "local media contact."
According to a report on the 26th from ChosunBiz, the Democratic Party will hold a press conference for local media at the Kim Dae-jung Hall of the Daegu City Party on the 27th. The event will be led by Lee Seok-yeon, the joint chairperson of the party's election committee, who previously served as the head of the Ministry of Government Legislation during the Lee Myung-bak administration. He also serves as the chairperson of the National Integration Committee within the election committee.
A key figure in the Democratic Party's election committee noted, "Given that Lee Jae-myung's hometown is Andong in North Gyeongsang Province, there are discussions within the party about increasing the TK vote rate to 40%. However, there have been reports from the Daegu City Party that local sentiments and polling data differ. Therefore, while the TK may show support for this candidate now, it could rally behind conservatives on election day, so we will desperately appeal for votes until the end."
Recently, there is a positive outlook on the change in TK voter sentiment within the party. Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party's senior general election committee chairperson, said at a central election committee meeting on the 21st, "The public sentiment in TK is fluctuating, pleading, 'Please revive the economy,'" adding, "The desire of voters in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province to unify national opinion and the people is directed toward the Democratic Party."
However, the Democratic Party continues to hold onto the 'caution against careless remarks' reins. This is reportedly due to an analysis from the Democratic Party's Daegu City Party, which suggests a gap between the media reports and polling indicating that Lee's support rate is rising in TK and the actual local atmosphere.
The focus of the Democratic Party is on the strategy of "escaping demonization." To this end, the chairperson who joined the election committee as a symbol of national integration plans to meet directly with local journalists in Daegu to persuade them. This individual, who has been part of the conservative government, was specifically recruited by this candidate. The election committee reportedly shared the view that lowering the candidate's "unfavorability" through local media is more effective than simply touring traditional markets or crowded areas.
A key figure in the election committee stated, "Even if we hear negative things about the candidate during the press conference, we need to correct the misconceptions that have arisen. We will actively promote that this candidate is a rational person with a strong understanding of the market economy."