Candidates make last-minute appeals to voters

Saenuri Party Chairman Kim Moo-sung, right, waves with the party’s candidate Park Sun-kyoo during the campaign trail in Yongdeungpo, central Seoul, Tuesday. / Yonhap

By Kang Seung-woo

Political parties wrapped up their general election campaigns Tuesday by making last-ditch appeals for votes in closely-contested battlefields within Seoul and the regions surrounding the capital.

A total of 122 out of 253 electoral seats, are up for grabs in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province. However, as many constituency contests will be very close, the parties are devoted to wooing swing voters before polling day.

For the ruling Saenuri Party, securing a majority of seats within the region will be crucial for reaching its goal of having 160 seats in the 300-member National Assembly. Chairman Kim Moo-sung visited 20 constituencies to rally support from conservative voters.

“This general election is important to determine the nation’s future. I am appealing to voters to realize that only the Saenuri Party can keep the nation safe, revive the economy and create jobs,” said the chairman while campaigning in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.

“I promise that the Saenuri Party will be committed to conducting politics for the people, not its own political interests.”

Kim also urged the party supporters to cast their ballots today, citing a low turnout in its strongholds during two-days of early voting on Friday and Saturday.

“Without your votes, we cannot win more than a majority of seats in the Assembly and will face difficulties,” Kim added.

Kim Chong-in, right, the interim leader of main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea, poses with the party’s candidate Chin Young during the campaign trail in Yongsan, central Seoul, Tuesday. / Yonhap

Kim Chong-in, the interim leader of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK), also labored through a tight campaign schedule to win over floating voters.

After kicking off the last day of the election campaign on Jeju Island, Kim returned to Seoul, where he visited 20 constituencies.

“If people vote for an unfit opposition party over the MPK, the Saenuri Party will easily win the election. I am begging for votes for the MPK,” said the MPK leader.

This was a reference to the minor opposition People’s Party that the MPK once proposed forming an opposition alliance with to avoid splitting the votes of liberal supporters, but this proposal fell through due to opposition from People’s Party Co-Chairman Ahn Cheol-soo.

Defining this election as a referendum on the Park Geun-hye government’s botched economy policy, the MPK is calling for full support for the No. 1 opposition party in order to keep the ruling party in check.

“Please support the MPK, which is the only authorized opposition party, to stop the Saenuri Party’s dominance,” said party spokesman Kim Sung-soo in a radio interview.

Ahn Cheol-soo, center, the co-chairman of the minor opposition People’s Party, greets people with the party’s candidates during the election campaign at Incheon Bus Terminal, Tuesday. / Yonhap

The People’s Party co-chairman has focused on several strategic constituencies which the party believes may produce more winners.

Ahn, running in the Nowon-C district in Seoul, is regarded as the party’s only candidate likely to win in Seoul and its surrounding areas.

The party, established in February, is forecast to win 20 out of 28 seats in North and South Jeolla provinces. “The Saenuri and the MPK have had so many opportunities, but they have failed. However, they are once again begging for another chance,” Ahn said.

“The people should not be fooled this time, and give us an opportunity.”

Lee Tae-gyu, the party’s strategy director, said that the party expects to win four or five seats in the areas and 35 seats in total.