Lee Jae-myung vows to expand local vouchers; PPP decides to establish body for potential merger with fmr. PM Han

With less than a month to go until the presidential election, Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung is spending the long weekend traveling to regions traditionally considered tough ground for the party.

Meanwhile, talks are set to pick up between People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo and former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo about a possible coalition.

Our correspondent Shin Ha-young reports.

The presidential race between the Democratic Party and the People Power Party is starting to take shape.

Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung on Sunday traveled to Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, a region known as a conservative stronghold.

Lee blamed his low support in his home province of Gyeongsangbuk-do on distorted information and asked voters there for support.

"I've faced all sorts of false accusations, but if I had really done something wrong, would I have come this far? We need to eradicate fake news and misinformation."

Lee also promised to help small retailers by expanding the issuance of local government vouchers and Onnuri gift certificates.

Regarding the Supreme Court's decision on Lee's election law violation case, the DP decided on Sunday to delay a decision on whether to seek the impeachment of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae.

Instead, it will call on the high court to cancel or postpone the first hearing of Lee’s retrial, scheduled for May 15.

Meanwhile, the People Power Party wrapped up its presidential primary on Saturday with a victory for former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo.

According to the PPP, Kim secured over 61 percent of party members’ votes, and over 51 percent in a public poll, ultimately winning 56-point-5-3 percent of the total vote against his rival Han Dong-hoon.

In his acceptance speech, Kim criticized the DP, accusing it of undermining the separation of power by overusing impeachment.

He vowed to win the presidential election.

"I will form a strong alliance with any force to stop Lee Jae-myung and the DP from taking power."

Talks are gearing up between Kim and former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo about a possible coalition in the presidential race.

Kim and Han met for the first time on Monday, since Kim was nominated as the PPP’s presidential candidate, during a visit to Jogyesa temple to mark Buddha's Birthday.

Han suggested they meet later in the day, and Kim agreed.

On Sunday, the PPP decided to establish a body under its election committee to explore merging its campaign with Han's.

An official from Han's camp confirmed that Han, who announced his candidacy last Friday, is willing to leave all coalition logistics including rules and procedures to the PPP.

All eyes are on whether the two will merge their campaigns before the candidate registration deadline this Sunday.

Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.