Political parties ramp up election campaigning, with focus on wider Seoul area

Political parties intensified their election campaigns Friday, the second day of official campaigning for the April 10 general elections, primarily in the wider capital area that observers say is crucial for determining the election outcome. The quadrennial race holds significant importance for the ruling People Power Party (PPP) as failure to regain a majority could potentially render President Yoon Suk Yeol a lame duck for the remaining three years of his single five-year term. Meanwhile, the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) aims to retain its parliamentary majority. The PPP appealed for voter support, pledging to prioritize political reforms to better address people's livelihood issues. "With a sincere commitment and a forgiveness-seeking heart, we promise political reform," said PPP leader Han Dong-hoon during a televised election address for overseas voters. The PPP emphasized the Yoon administration's inability to advance its reform agenda over the past two years, attributing it to the opposit ion-controlled National Assembly. Han also intensified criticism of a candidate from the Korea Innovation Party led by the scandal-tainted former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, as the new party has garnered unexpectedly high support with calls for ending the Yoon administration. Park Eun-jung, a former prosecutor who is on top of the proportional representative candidate list of the Korea Innovation Party, faced criticism after her husband, a prosecutor-turned-lawyer, defended a fraudulent company in return for massive legal fees. "Do you know how to earn 2.2 billion won (US$1.6 million) in just a few days? Follow the example of the Park Eun-jung couple," Han said on the campaign trail in Seoul's Yeongdeungpo district. Meanwhile, the DP urged voters to pass stern judgment on what it termed the "incompetent" Yoon administration, accusing it of exacerbating economic and livelihood issues and mishandling controversial matters over the past two years. While on the campaign trail, DP Chairman Lee Jae-myung attende d a court hearing in Seoul over various corruption charges stemming from his tenure as mayor of Seongnam, south of Seoul. "While the election period of 13 days is precious, I respect the court's decision and have attended the hearing," Lee said. The DP also heightened its criticism of Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup's decision to step down, less than a month after his appointment. "The resignation of the ambassador is equivalent to succumbing to public sentiment demanding justice and common sense," said Kang Min-seok, the DP's spokesperson. The controversy surrounding Lee became a focal point amid growing negative public sentiment and concerns raised even within the ruling party bloc. Newly formed minor parties also continued their campaigns across different parts of Seoul, appealing for voter support amid persistently low approval ratings. Meanwhile, the New Reform Party rebuffed some PPP members' calls for fielding unified candidates in certain constituencies amid concerns over the DP's rise. Ov erseas voting began Wednesday and will continue until Monday, with early voting scheduled for two days, starting April 5. Source: Yonhap News Agency