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Key Points

The South Korean presidential race is heating up with Lee Jae-myung and Kim Moon-soo battling for supremacy in the greater Seoul area. Polls currently show Lee holding a significant lead, with approximately 50.2% support compared to Kim's 35.6%. Both candidates are strategically targeting key regions and demographics, including overseas Korean voters and local community groups. The June 3 election represents a critical moment in determining the country's political direction following the controversial ousting of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Key Points: Lee vs Kim Battle Heats Up in Seoul Presidential Race

  • Lee leads polls with 50.2% support in crucial election
  • Candidates target key Seoul and Gyeonggi Province regions
  • Campaigning focuses on swing voters and local communities
  • Seeking successor to ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol
2 min read

South Korea: DP's Lee, PPP's Kim vie for votes in crucial battleground

South Korean presidential candidates Lee Jae-myung and Kim Moon-soo intensify campaign in critical Seoul battleground ahead of June 3 election

"The greater Seoul area is home to about half of the 52 million-person population - Yonhap News Agency"

Seoul, May 20

South Korea's Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lee Jae-myung and People Power Party (PPP) candidate Kim Moon-soo were set for their campaign rallies in the greater Seoul area, as they seek to reach out to centrist voters.

With just two weeks until the June 3 presidential election, Lee will crisscross Gyeonggi Province, while Kim will appeal to voters in Seoul.

The greater Seoul area is home to about half of the 52 million-person population, reports Yonhap news agency.

This makes it a key battleground in the election to pick a successor to former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted over his failed martial law bid.

In various opinion polls, Lee was ahead of Kim. A Realmeter survey released this week showed that Lee garnered 50.2 per cent support, trailed by Kim with 35.6 per cent and Lee Jun-seok of the minor New Reform Party with 8.7 per cent.

Lee of the DP will kick off the day by holding virtual talks with Korean expatriates living abroad to encourage overseas voting, which takes place for a week starting Tuesday.

He will then head to Uijeongbu and Goyang, on the northern outskirts of Seoul, before visiting the border regions of Paju and Gimpo in Gyeonggi.

Lee previously served as the governor of Gyeonggi Province from 2018 to 2021.

The PPP's Kim will continue his campaign to woo swing voters in the key battleground of Seoul.

He will start off the day by signing an agreement with the Federation of Artistic and Cultural Organizations of Korea in the western ward of Yangcheon to promote the arts sector.

He will then visit a traditional market in Gangseo in southern Seoul and meet with "jjokbang" residents, or those living in tiny rooms often found in shantytowns, in Yeongdeungpo to learn about their challenges and vulnerable living conditions.

Kim will later travel to the southeastern parts of Seoul, including Seocho, Songpa, Gangdong, and Hanam in Gyeonggi Province.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
Interesting to see South Korea's election dynamics! As an Indian, I can relate to how crucial urban voters are - just like how Delhi/Mumbai decide so much in our elections. Lee seems to have strong momentum, but two weeks is a long time in politics. 🤔
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Priya M.
The focus on urban poor ("jjokbang residents") is smart campaigning. Reminds me of our slum rehabilitation politics. Hope whichever leader wins, they actually deliver on their promises to the underprivileged - unlike many of our netas who forget voters after elections!
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Amit S.
South Korea's political stability matters to India too - they're important partners in tech and manufacturing. The border region campaigning is particularly interesting given North Korea tensions. Hope the new leader maintains good relations with India 🇮🇳🤝🇰🇷
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Sunita R.
The 50% polling lead seems huge, but remember how exit polls failed in many Indian elections! Kim shouldn't be counted out yet. Also curious - do Korean politicians make unrealistic freebie promises like ours? 😅
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Vikram J.
As someone who follows East Asian politics, I appreciate this coverage. The virtual talks with expats is innovative - wish Indian parties would do more for NRI voters. Though I wonder if Lee's focus on border areas is about security policy given North Korea.
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Neha P.
The arts sector agreement caught my eye. India could learn from this - our election campaigns rarely focus on cultural policies. But I hope Korean politicians don't just use artists for photo ops like happens here sometimes.

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