Jang Dong-hyuk, standing committee chairman of the People Power Party's election campaign, and candidates for Daegu Mayor Chu Kyoung-ho and Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheol-woo shake hands for a commemorative photo at the 'Daegu-Gyeongbuk Joint Vision Declaration Ceremony' held at the Daegu City Party headquarters on the 25th. [Yonhap News]

On the last day of the holiday, the 25th, People Power Party's standing committee chairman Jang Dong-hyuk visited Daegu, the 'heart of conservatism,' and appealed for the mobilization of the conservative voter base.

This was Jang's first visit to the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) region since the official election campaign began. It appears to be an effort to further tighten the grip of the campaign by mobilizing supporters, following opinion polls indicating that Chu Kyoung-ho, the candidate for Daegu Mayor, is in a close race with Democratic Party candidate Kim Bu-gyeom.

At the 'People Power Party Daegu-Gyeongbuk Joint Vision Declaration Ceremony' held at the Daegu City Party headquarters that afternoon, Jang, co-chairmen Kim Min-soo, Kim Jae-won, and Cho Gwang-han, lawmakers from the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region, Daegu Mayor candidate Chu Kyoung-ho, and Gyeongbuk Governor candidate Lee Cheol-woo all made appearances, showcasing their "one-team" efforts and reaffirming their will to win.

In his welcoming remarks, Chairman Jang stated, "Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party talk about unity and balanced regional development every time they open their mouths, but in reality, they are engrossed in dividing regions. They always implement policies that give little and take much from the people." He added, "For the new leap forward of Daegu and Gyeongbuk, Daegu Mayor Chu Kyoung-ho and Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheol-woo are absolutely necessary."

He continued, "Lee Jae-myung divides the people, intimidating one group of citizens and engaging in collective bullying, practicing politics of fear. If a candidate from such a party takes charge of Daegu and Gyeongbuk, after June 3rd, we may have to entrust our humble lives and small joys to Lee Jae-myung, unable to choose them ourselves." He then appealed for support for the People Power Party.

Rep. Joo Ho-young, who had clashed with Chairman Jang during the nomination process, demanding Jang's resignation as party leader, said, "After strongly criticizing Chairman Jang during the primary, I was not invited to this event today. However, I came because it is necessary to ensure that party members and citizens do not worry ahead of the major election." He added, "Actually, I met Chairman Jang for lunch," which drew applause.

Rep. Joo asserted, "If we cannot achieve an overwhelming victory even in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, the core conservative region, it is evident that our country will become a one-party dictatorship. I am confident that the citizens of Daegu and Gyeongbuk will prevent this."

On the 25th, at the 'Daegu-Gyeongbuk Joint Vision Declaration Ceremony' held at the People Power Party's Daegu City Party headquarters, Daegu Mayor candidate Chu Kyoung-ho and Gyeongbuk Governor candidate Lee Cheol-woo listen to the remarks of standing committee chairman Jang Dong-hyuk. [Yonhap News]

Candidate Chu Kyoung-ho stated, "The Democratic Party, which shouts for balanced development every time they open their mouths, hindered the passage of the special law on administrative integration, which is crucial for the survival of Daegu and Gyeongbuk, and held them back. He stressed that the Democratic Party must be judged by votes.

Candidate Lee Cheol-woo said, "Candidate Kim Bu-gyeom of the Democratic Party claims that an 'economic bomb' will come if he becomes Daegu Mayor, but there is no such bomb just by taking power. It is done through institutional means." He added, "If Chu Kyoung-ho does not win in Daegu, Gyeongbuk will collapse immediately. Please ensure Daegu wins overwhelmingly with the mindset of protecting the nation in Daegu and Gyeongbuk."

At the declaration ceremony, both candidates emphasized, "Daegu and Gyeongbuk are one living and economic sphere," and pledged to work together on the TK Special Law on Administrative Integration and the revision of the TK New Airport Special Law.

Chairman Jang subsequently visited Suseongmot Lake in Suseong-gu, Daegu, to appeal for votes from constituents, and then moved to Gumi, Gyeongbuk, to continue his campaign at the Saemaul Central Market.

Standing on the campaign vehicle at Gumi's Saemaul Central Market in Gyeongbuk, Chairman Jang declared, "Unprecedentedly outrageous remarks have been made in Gumi. Democratic Party candidate Jang Se-yong said, 'The Republic of Korea developed because Park Chung-hee died early.'" He raised his voice, saying, "This is the dirty DNA of the Democratic Party. Shouldn't we definitely judge these despicable Democratic Party politicians in this local election?"

He further emphasized, "Winning in Gumi and Gyeongbuk is not the objective." He added, "Shouldn't we ensure that Lee Jae-myung faces trial and is sent to prison after the local elections conclude?"

Separately, co-chairman Song Eon-seok visited Chungnam in the afternoon to campaign for Chungnam Governor candidate Kim Tae-heum, by-election candidate for National Assembly in Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang, Chungnam Yoon Yong-geun, Dangjin Mayor candidate Oh Sung-hwan, and Gongju Mayor candidate Choi Won-cheol.

Former President Park Geun-hye, known as the 'Queen of Elections,' joined the campaign rally in Cheonan, Chungnam, lending her support to the People Power Party candidates.

The former president has been actively campaigning, having recently visited Seomun Market in Daegu with Daegu Mayor candidate Chu Kyoung-ho. She continued her support for provincial governor candidates and others by visiting Chungbuk, Daejeon, and Chungnam in succession. It is reported that she will also visit Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam on the 27th, and Gangwon Province on the 28th.

Former President Park Geun-hye greets citizens during her visit to the birthplace of her mother, the late First Lady Yuk Young-soo, in Okcheon, Chungbuk, on the 25th. [Yonhap News]