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Lee Jae-myung, presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), campaigns in Dongmun Rotary in Ildo 1(il)-dong, Jeju City, on April 22. / Source: Yonhap News

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Kim Moon-soo, presidential candidate of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), speaks during a meeting with five major economic organizations at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul on April 22. / Source: Song Ui-joo

As the June 3 presidential election draws closer, the camps of the two leading candidates—Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and Kim Moon-soo of the ruling People Power Party (PPP)—are ramping up their efforts to sway undecided voters in a high-stakes final stretch.

Lee’s camp has issued a “caution against complacency,” warning supporters not to assume an easy win. Initially modeling their campaign after the landslide 2007 election, the team now fears that overconfidence could suppress voter turnout and trigger backlash. DPK Floor Leader Park Chan-dae even forbade expressions like “landslide” or “overwhelming victory,” stating, “We must not speak of an easy win.”

The Democratic Party’s strategy now focuses on solidifying its support base. “Patriotic forces opposed to authoritarianism are rallying for the national interest,” said Yoon Ho-jung, head of the DPK’s central election committee. Campaign official Kang Hoon-sik added, “This is a contest between a big-tent coalition for national unity and a faction aligned with sedition.” Lee’s team has also warned that any public talk of an easy victory would be met with consequences. Meanwhile, key figures in his camp have been emphasizing a shrinking poll gap to push a sense of urgency, a clear pivot from early campaign efforts that banked on a bandwagon effect. At rallies, Lee has repeatedly said, “Our goal isn’t to win big, it’s to win no matter what.”

In contrast, Kim Moon-soo’s camp is doubling down on a “total mobilization strategy” to reverse the tide. Following years of conservative fragmentation triggered by martial law declarations and impeachment crises, Kim is pushing for unity within the right and appealing to moderate voters with a reformist message.

On April 22, Kim held an emergency press conference at PPP headquarters in Yeouido, pledging political reforms such as a 10% cut in parliamentary seats and a new law banning parachute appointments. “I will be the people’s president, not an imperial one,” he declared, positioning himself as a candidate of moderation and reform.

In a move to build a broader “anti-Lee Jae-myung coalition,” Kim secured the endorsement of Sohn Hak-kyu, a centrist and former DPK leader. He is also actively pursuing a potential unification with Lee Jun-seok, the candidate of the New Reform Party, widely seen as a major wild card in the race. “I’ll do everything I can to make the merger happen,” Kim said, with senior PPP officials encouraging Lee to join the party and “grow bigger” under its umbrella.