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Lee Jae-myung, presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, departs after delivering a speech during a campaign rally held in front of the circular shopping complex at Peace Plaza in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, on May 15. / Yonhap News

On the fifth day of his official campaign, Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung is visiting key cities in North Jeolla Province (Jeonbuk), reinforcing his outreach to the party’s traditional stronghold for the second consecutive day.

Lee is scheduled to visit Iksan, Gunsan, Jeonju, and Jeongeup, where he will propose policies aimed at achieving “a nation where no person or region is left behind,” centered on fairness and balanced development, according to Democratic Party spokesperson Cho Seung-rae during a briefing at party headquarters.

Cho described Jeonbuk as a region of particular significance to Lee, both politically and philosophically, noting that his core vision of “supporting the weak and restraining the powerful” was born there.

Lee’s itinerary reflects his determination to reposition Jeonbuk as a driving force for national economic renewal. He plans to listen to a range of voices from local residents, including concerns on rural livelihoods, youth challenges, regional disparity, and the promotion of K-culture.

Lee's first stop is at 11 a.m. at the East Plaza of Iksan Station. In this city known for its agricultural and tourism innovation, he will outline a vision for transforming Iksan into a cultural powerhouse central to Korea’s national growth.

At 1 p.m., he will hold a rally at Old City Hall Plaza in Gunsan near the famous bakery Iseongdang. Lee is expected to present a concrete plan for revitalizing Gunsan’s economy through electric shipbuilding and other future industries, positioning the city as a job-creating hub.

At 2:40 p.m., Lee will participate in a cultural dialogue titled "Connecting the Sound of Tradition: Meeting with Young Gugak Musicians". Attendees include Hwang In-yoo, visiting professor at Suwon University’s Korean traditional music department; Kim Mi-seong, a certified gayageum byeongchang artist; and percussionist Kim Han-saem, all of whom are contributing to the preservation of Korea’s intangible cultural heritage.

Lee will continue with a major rally in Jeonju at 4 p.m., followed by a final rally at 6:30 p.m. in Jeongeup — a city symbolically significant for being the site of the Hwangtohyeon Battle, where the Donghak Peasant Army secured its first victory against government forces.

“Lee Jae-myung is reaffirming his pledge to create a nation where all state resources serve only the people,” said Cho. “Jeonbuk will not be treated as a peripheral region but reimagined as the starting point for Korea’s future. Lee will lead the nation forward through unity and open the era of the K-Initiative.”