DP's Lee Jae-myung campaigns in liberal stronghold; pledging to foster renewable energy industry

We are now counting down 19 days to the June third election and the liberal party candidate continues his trek across the country this time to his party's stronghold.

For details I have our political correspondent Shin Ha-young standing by live.

Ha-young welcome.

So Lee Jae-myung is now targeting voters in Jeollanam-do Province?

Yes, Sunny. After spending the past few days trying to win support in traditionally conservative stronghold regions, Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung is now focusing on rallying support in his party's stronghold.

Lee's campaign trail today takes him through Jeollanam-do Province, including the cities of Gwangyang, Yeosu, Suncheon, and Mokpo.

Kicking off his tour of this region, Lee pointed to the concentration of power in the capital area as the biggest problem South Korea is facing.

He emphasized balanced regional development, which is one of Lee's 10 major campaign pledges.

In line with this, he highlighted fostering the renewable energy industry as a pledge tailored to the Jeolla-do provinces, saying the southwest coast holds great potential for renewables.

Take a listen.

"We don't have a clear plan for renewables yet as we move away from fossil fuels due to global warming. Energy prices are likely to go up, so we need to develop our own resources. That's why I think we should actively grow the renewable energy industry, especially in the southwestern coast and Jeolla-do provinces."

Lee began his fourth day of campaigning in Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, near the border between Jeolla-do and Gyeongsang-do provinces.

There, he met with young people at Hwagae Market to discuss concerns about jobs, housing and child care.

The choice of location and participants from different regions reflected Lee's intention to promote regional harmony.

And Ha-young, what can you tell us about the messages he shared in other cities in the region?

Lee visited Gwangyang, promising to strengthen the steel and logistics industries.

During his speech, he also criticized former President Yoon Suk Yeol for misunderstanding his role as a president.

Take a listen.

"If someone forgets they're a public servant and starts acting like a ruler, they should be held accountable. One such person who misunderstood his position was former President Yoon."

During his visit to Yeosu, Lee laid out his plan for the energy industry, pledging to turn the Jeollanam-do coast into a global renewable energy hub.

He said the region has plenty of resources but lacks transmission lines, promising to fix the issue and unlock the area's full energy potential.

Lee will wrap up Thursday's campaigning in Mokpo, the birthplace of former liberal President Kim Dae-jung.

That's all for this hour, Sunny.

All right Ha-young, thank you for that coverage from the liberal camp.