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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Daegu mayoral race: Kim Bu-gyeom's unique campaign meets Park Geun-hye's support for Chu Kyung-ho

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Democratic Party's Daegu mayoral candidate Kim Bu-gyeom is employing a unique "wall-hitting" campaign style, while People Power Party's Chu Kyung-ho is again campaigning with former President Park Geun-hye.
  • Kim's "wall-hitting" refers to his strategy of campaigning in residential areas and alleyways, speaking as if to a wall, to reach voters.
  • Chu is seeking to consolidate conservative support by aligning with Park, emphasizing economic revitalization for Daegu.

In the closely watched Daegu mayoral race, the final days before the June 3 election see Democratic Party candidate Kim Bu-gyeom employing his signature "wall-hitting" campaign style, while People Power Party candidate Chu Kyung-ho is once again seeking the endorsement of former President Park Geun-hye to rally conservative voters.

Candidate Chu will repay you by revitalizing Daegu's economy.

— Park Geun-hyeFormer President Park Geun-hye endorsed People Power Party candidate Chu Kyung-ho, highlighting his economic plans for Daegu.

Kim Bu-gyeom's "wall-hitting" strategy, a term coined to describe his approach in Daegu where traditional rallies sometimes struggle to draw crowds, involves campaigning in apartment complexes and narrow streets. He delivers his speeches as if addressing a wall, aiming to connect with residents directly in their neighborhoods. His campaign highlighted the recent increase in advance voter turnout in Daegu as a sign of voters' desire for change and development under his leadership.

Chu Kyung-ho, meanwhile, visited the Seomun Market, a symbolic location for conservatives, accompanied by Park Geun-hye. This marks her second appearance supporting Chu, underscoring his strategy to mobilize the conservative base. Park expressed confidence in Chu's ability to revitalize Daegu's struggling economy, stating, "I believe our candidate Chu will repay you by revitalizing Daegu's economy."

Seomun Market is a symbolic place for conservatives.

— Park Geun-hyeFormer President Park Geun-hye commented on the significance of the location during her campaign visit with Chu Kyung-ho.

Both candidates kicked off their final campaign day on May 31st at the Seomun Market. Chu urged his supporters to turn out for the main vote, expressing concern about the advance voting results. Park, appearing in a black blouse and jeans, conveyed her energy despite feeling tired, emphasizing the market's significance to conservatives and her belief in Chu's economic plans for the city.

The high advance voter turnout in Daegu reflects the collective desire for a new opportunity for change and development through candidate Kim.

— Kwon Chil-seungKim Bu-gyeom's campaign co-chair interpreted the advance voting results as a positive sign for their campaign.

The election is considered a major battleground, with both candidates making their final appeals to voters. Kim's campaign has seen the addition of Kang Hyo-sang, a former lawmaker, as honorary campaign chairman, who called Kim the "only hope for Daegu's revitalization."

Kim (Bu-gyeom) is the only hope for Daegu's revitalization.

— Kang Hyo-sangHonorary campaign chairman Kang Hyo-sang expressed strong support for Democratic Party candidate Kim Bu-gyeom.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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