Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Chung-rae and People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok ran into each other while stumping in South Chungcheong. The two leaders, who had an unscheduled meeting in Chungcheong, the local election "casting vote," smiled while engaging in a subtle show of nerves.

Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, passes a campaign stop by People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok at Gongju Sanseong Market in Gongju, South Chungcheong, on the 21st, the first day of official campaigning for the 6·3 local elections./Courtesy of News1

On the 21st, the two leaders met in front of Sanseong Market in Gongju, South Chungcheong. Jang was campaigning to support candidate Yoon Yong-geun, who is running in the by-election for the National Assembly seat for Gongju, Buyeo and Cheongyang, and Choi Won-cheol, the Gongju mayoral candidate, when Jung happened to pass by the spot.

Jang said, "(President Lee Jae-myung) halted all five of his own trials and is trying to make a law to hold four trials in case he is found guilty, and says he will do a special counsel to cancel the trials." And just then, Jung passed by the People Power Party campaign truck. Jung waved at Jang and smiled.

Jang also smiled when he saw Jung. Then he said, "At a time like this, let's shout once," prompting supporters to chant names including Kim Tae-heum, the People Power Party candidate for South Chungcheong governor. Jang said, "We were going to campaign quietly and move on, but who told the Democratic Party to pass this way?" and added, "They're passing through here without even asking permission."

Jung Chung-rae, chief senior election committee director for the Democratic Party of Korea (front), waves in greeting as he meets People Power Party senior election committee co-chair Jang Dong-hyeok while touring Gongju Sanseong Market on the 21st after wrapping up a stump speech supporting Democratic Party of Korea candidates Park Soo-hyun for South Chungcheong governor and Kim Young-bin for the Gongju·Buyeo·Cheongyang National Assembly by-election./Courtesy of Yonhap News

That day, Jung campaigned to support Park Soo-hyun, the party's candidate for South Chungcheong governor, and Kim Young-bin, the National Assembly candidate for Gongju, Buyeo and Cheongyang. It was a happening that occurred as the leaders of the two major parties set out to target the central region on the first day of the official campaign.

At the rally, Jung said, "Do not give a single vote to the People Power Party, which still cannot forget Yoon Suk-yeol, calls for 'Yoon again,' and makes nominations for insurrection," and added, "Elect the Democratic Party for president, the Democratic Party for South Chungcheong governor, the Democratic Party for National Assembly member, and the Democratic Party for Gongju mayor."

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