People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok on the 3rd visited Daegu, considered a conservative stronghold, to throw his support behind mayoral candidate Choo Kyung-ho.
At the opening of Choo's campaign office in Suseong-gu, Daegu, that day, Jang said, "As party leader, I apologize for hurting the feelings of Daegu citizens and causing concern during the nomination process," adding, "Whatever anyone says, all responsibility lies with the party leader."
He went on, "I would also like to take this opportunity to say I am sorry to Vice Speaker Joo Ho-young, who has steadfastly protected Daegu and our People Power Party, for the hurt and pain caused," and appealed, "With the same affection you have had for Daegu and conservatism, please unite your strength as one in this election as well."
Aiming at Democratic Party of Korea mayoral candidate Kim Boo-kyum in Daegu, Jang pressed his attack, saying, "Can someone who received one year in prison with two years of suspended sentence for violating the National Security Act coil up in Daegu, the heart of conservatism?" Referring to the ruling party's introduction of the so-called "special counsel bill on fabricated indictments," he criticized, "Are we going to set up a Lee Jae-myung administration Branch Office in Daegu?"
Former President Lee Myung-bak also lent support with a congratulatory video message. Lee said, "Daegu needs an economic market, not a political market," and praised, "Not long after my inauguration, during the global financial crisis, only the Republic of Korea achieved positive growth, and at that time, Choo served as the Blue House secretary for economic and financial affairs and as head of the emergency economic situation room."
At the site, former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, who is serving as honorary co-chair of the election committee, Rep. Na Kyung-won, Rep. Yoon Jae-ok and others gathered, with nearly 40 incumbent lawmakers alone creating a bustling scene.
Honorary election committee co-chair Kim Moon-soo took the stage hand in hand with Lee Jin-sook, the candidate in the Daegu Dalseong-gun by-election, saying, "Who is the Daegu mayor who will revive Daegu's economy and create jobs? Choo will surely save the economy," and added, "If the People Power Party collapses in Daegu, it will become a one-party dictatorship like the Workers' Party of Korea in North Korea and the Communist Party in China."
Meanwhile, Jang, who attended the opening of Busan mayoral candidate Park Heong-joon's campaign office the day before, also appeared at Choo's campaign office opening that day, seeking to rally conservative voters in the Yeongnam region.
Amid concerns within the party that calls to judge the pro-Yoon faction could sway voters in the wake of former National Assembly Vice Speaker Chung Jin-suk's nomination controversy, this move is also seen as an attempt to stress a united front by hitting the trail with floor leader Song Eon-seog.