DP camp rallies unity with COVID hero Jung Eun-kyeong; PPP’s final showdown before voting

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min.

The Democratic Party of Korea is in full campaign mode with its committee now launched.

The People Power Party still has one run-off debate before the final candidate is finalized.

Our political correspondent Kim Do-yeon begins our coverage.

The Democratic Party on Wednesday launched its presidential campaign for its candidate Lee Jae-myung.

Leading the polls and facing a rival party that's lost its former president through impeachment, Lee is focusing his message on social unity to secure victory.

"South Korea now stands at a historic crossroads — will it rise as a hopeful leader on the global stage, or fall into decline through destructive backpedaling? The only force that can stop regression and lead us toward hope and the future is national unity."

The Lee Jae-myung campaign's message of unity is reflected in its leadership lineup — 22 key figures, including 15 co-chairs, with some coming from conservative political backgrounds.

One notable addition is former KDCA chief Jung Eun-kyeong, making her political debut.

She gained national and international recognition in 2020 for leading South Korea's rapid and effective COVID-19 response.

The campaign will operate 15 subcommittees directly under Lee's oversight, and 35 more covering a wide range of national policy areas — signaling a broad, inclusive push to win over both sides of the political spectrum.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday evening, the People Power Party's Kim Moon-soo and Han Dong-hoon face off in their final run-off debate — the last and decisive battle to determine the party's presidential nominee.

In the previous round, neither secured over 50 percent, with votes split evenly between PPP electors and an open public survey — leaving no clear front-runner.

Kim is backed by party loyalists, especially those who still support impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Han, who supported Yoon's impeachment, may have an edge with swing voters in the open survey.

You used to be really close to President Yoon. What happened?

Dear citizens, I believe in democracy and the republic. I would've stopped my own father if he declared martial law.

Voting opens Thursday and closes Friday, with the winner to be announced at Saturday's convention.

Meanwhile, Acting President Han Duck-soo is expected to resign as early as Thursday to run for president as an independent — a major shake-up.

Kim backs a potential merger with Han, while Han Dong-hoon is more cautious about the Acting President's run but hasn't ruled a merger out.

Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.