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Lee Jae-myung (center), presidential candidate of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, appeals for support during a campaign rally at Dongdaegu Station Square in Daegu on June 1. / Source: Yonhap News

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Kim Moon-soo (center), presidential candidate of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), appeals for support during a campaign rally in front of the east gate of COEX in Gangnam District, Seoul, on June 1. / Source: Yonhap News

With just two days remaining before the June 3 presidential election, Lee Jae-myung, candidate of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, campaigned across the conservative stronghold of Yeongnam on June 1 in an effort to broaden his support base. Kim Moon-soo, candidate of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), focused on appealing to centrist voters in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, his political home turf. Lee Jun-seok, candidate of the New Reform Party, emphasized his goal of recreating last year’s surprise victory in Dongtan, his home district.

Lee Jae-myung employed a dual strategy of highlighting alleged government overreach under President Yoon Suk Yeol—framing it as a “rebellion”—while taking care to avoid any last-minute gaffes. Having led in various polls since the start of the campaign, Lee is seeking to maintain his lead without risking voter alienation. Since early voting began on May 29, Lee has warned that “only by voting can the people overcome this rebellion.”

Speaking on June 1, he said, “We could have ended up in a country devastated by a military coup and economic collapse, where beggars roam the streets. Please cast your vote so we can recover and return to normal.” Lee also condemned recent media reports that a conservative group known as “Reebak School” had allegedly operated a team to manipulate public opinion online, calling it “an act of rebellion that destroys the very foundation of democracy.”

Kim Moon-soo, meanwhile, sought to rally anti-Lee sentiment in the final stretch of the campaign. He broadened attacks on Lee’s legal troubles to include allegations against Lee’s family members. The PPP has launched a dedicated task force, led by lawmaker Joo Jin-woo, to investigate what it claims are financial irregularities related to gambling activities by Lee’s son.

At a campaign event in Gyeonggi Province, Kim declared, “If Lee wins, we will see the emergence of a monstrous authoritarian state,” and held up a banner opposing “monstrous dictatorship.” He added, “How many people have been arrested or lost their lives due to Lee’s development projects in Daejang-dong and Baekhyeon-dong? If we allow such toxic elements to occupy the presidency, the entire country will suffer.”

New Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok warned that a Lee Jae-myung presidency would “crush opposing forces, suffocate the younger generation’s last hopes, and consolidate one-man rule.” Reaffirming his commitment to stay in the race, he added, “I will secure a meaningful foothold to safeguard Korea’s future.”