Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
Parties end official campaigning on eve of election day
People Power Party interim leader Han Dong-hoon appeals for voter support during the party's concluding campaign rally at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Each political group picks own meaningful site to woo voters
The ruling and opposition parties ended their 13-day official campaign period on Tuesday, the eve of the general elections, calling on voters to cast their ballots as the future lies in their hands.
Out of the 300 National Assembly seats up for grabs in today's elections, 254 are contested directly while 46 are filled through proportional representation.
Han Dong-hoon, interim leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), visited 14 closely contested districts in Seoul and ended his campaign at Cheonggye Plaza in central Seoul. He was joined by supporters and other party members including Ihn Yo-han, the election committee head of the PPP’s satellite party People Future Party.
The PPP chose Cheonggye Plaza as the venue for the election committee’s final campaign because it is located in the center of Seoul, according to the party.
“Cheonggye Plaza is the center of Seoul, center of the metropolis and the center of the country,” said Cheong Yang-seog, a vice chairman for the PPP’s campaign committee. “It holds a significant meaning that the upcoming general elections can be the center of moving forward into the future.”
Han made a desperate plea, asking voters not to let Korea fall into a state of decline. Han and the party’s election committee members began their official campaigning on March 28 at Garak Market in southeastern Seoul's Songpa District, in a bid to brand the PPP as a party representing hardworking people.
Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung waves to his supporters during the party's concluding campaign at Yongsan Station in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
After attending a court hearing on charges connected to a development corruption scandal, Rep. Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), held his last campaign event at Yongsan Station together with the party's election committee.
The DPK began its campaign at Yongsan Station near the presidential office.
“To end our campaign in Yongsan emphasizes our message to hold the current administration accountable,” said Kang Min-seok, the spokesperson of the DPK’s campaign committee.
After the ceremony, Lee headed back to Incheon's Gyeyang-B district where he is competing to defend his National Assembly seat against former Land Minister Won Hee-ryong.
Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk pleads for voter support during the party's concluding campaign at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
The Rebuilding Korea Party wrapped up its official election campaign activities at Gwanghwamun Square, a symbolic place where the candlelit rally took place in 2016 and 2017 against former President Park Geun-hye for her involvement in a corruption scandal. The party also officially began campaigning there.
Its last campaign event also called on supporters to hold the Yoon Suk Yeol administration accountable for what it called the president's prosecution-based dictatorship.
“Gwanghwamun Square is a place where thousands of people holding candles gathered to bring forth a new country. We will gather again at Gwanghwamun Square to express disappointment with the Yoon Suk Yeol regime and call for a new government,” said Shin Jang-sik, the spokesman of the Rebuilding Korea Party.
The Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok pleads for voter support during the party’s concluding campaign in Hwaseong, a metropolitan city near Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
The Green Justice Party ended its campaign at SangSang Madang near Hongik University to show support for Rep. Jang Hye-young who is running for the Mapo-B district and appeal to young voters.
The Saemirae Party wrapped up its campaign in the greater Seoul area, while the Reform Party ended its campaign in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, where party leader Lee Jun-seok is running for an Assembly seat.