DP’s Lee Jae-myung visits southeast, focuses on national unity and balanced regional growth

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

We are now counting down precisely three weeks to the June 3rd presidential election.

The liberal camp's candidate Lee Jae-myung traveled to the conservative-leaning southeastern part of the country, saying what matters is people's everyday lives, rather than ideologies.

Our correspondent Shin Ha-young reports.

National unity was a key topic that Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung shared during his second day of campaigning for the presidency.

Lee kicked off Tuesday in Gumi, the birthplace of former conservative President Park Chung-hee known both for his autocratic rule and having led the country's rapid economic development.

Lee's visit to Gumi was part of his campaign through regions known as traditional conservative strongholds, including Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, 경상북도, Daegu and Ulsan.

The DP said Lee's visit to this key industrial area shows how strong his intention is to bring the country together and promote balanced regional growth.

Lee laid out his vision to make Gumi a key engine driving South Korea's economy.

He also acknowledged Park's contributions to the country's industrialization and promised to be a capable leader.

Lee said the country's future matters more than political sides or ideology.

"What matters most is people's everyday lives not left or right, red or blue, or where you're from. It doesn't matter if a policy came from Park Chung-hee or Kim Dae-jung. If it works, we use it. If not, we don't. Ideology isn't as important as the lives of our people and the future of this country."

In the afternoon, Lee visited Pohang, the nation's traditional powerhouse for steel, seeking voter's support.

"During his speech, Lee Jae-myung urged people to come together to overcome the hardships that followed the declaration of martial law. He also emphasized national unity regardless of political affiliation."

Lee wrapped up his Tuesday campaign in Ulsan, where he focused on strategies for industrial growth and supply chain restructuring.

Shin Ha-young, Arirang News, Pohang.