[Yeongnam Region Public Sentiment] "Relying on heavyweight Kim Du-kwan, I'm scared" vs "Local Na Dong-yeon should be the one"

Gyeongnam 'Yangsan-eul'... Candidate Support Rate at 0.7%P Neck-and-Neck
President Moon's Residence Present but Conservative Forces Strong... "Close Vote Margin Expected"
2040 Swing Voters Likely to Be the Casting Vote

[Yangsan (Gyeongnam) = Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyemin and Jeon Jinyoung] "When Kim Du-gwan said he was coming, I thought this neighborhood would finally develop. I want to put my hopes on such a heavyweight."

"Na Dong-yeon worked hard as Yangsan mayor for 8 years. Migratory politicians who keep moving around won't get support anywhere."

The 'Yangsan-eul' district in Gyeongnam has President Moon Jae-in's private residence, but conservative forces are strong. Nevertheless, four years ago, the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) gained the upper hand. Depending on candidate preference and the momentum in the final stages of the general election, the situation can be overturned at any time. This is also reflected in opinion polls. According to a poll conducted on the 29th of last month by MBC Gyeongnam commissioned to KSOI, Kim Du-gwan, the DPK candidate, showed a neck-and-neck race with Na Dong-yeon, the United Future Party candidate, with 43.7% versus 43%, a 0.7 percentage point difference. (For detailed information, please check the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.)

When visiting Yangsan on the 3rd, public sentiment was so evenly matched that it was hard to predict an absolute advantage for either side. Some voters expressed expectations about Kim, who raised his value as governor of Gyeongnam and was strategically drafted, while others wanted to support Na, who is well-versed in local issues.

Kim Du-gwan, the Democratic Party candidate running in Yangsan-si (Eul), Gyeongnam, is greeting citizens in the Deokgye-ro area of Yangsan, Gyeongnam, on the 3rd. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju, Yangsan, Gyeongnam doso7@

◆Polarized Support... The Key is the Swing Voters=Kang (40s), who has lived in Yangsan for 15 years, said, "A strong candidate must come for the neighborhood to develop further. This election will be about choosing who will develop this underdeveloped area." On the other hand, Park Soondong (55), living in Deokgye-dong, said, "Na did well as Yangsan mayor for 8 years. He is originally a local from here. If Kim, who has no ties to Yangsan, wins, will he even properly come down here?"

Given that President Moon's private residence is here, mixed sentiments toward the ruling party and the incumbent president were also confirmed. Lee (70s), who sells dried seafood on the street in Deokgye-dong, criticized, "The Democratic Party is too autocratic. They don't listen to opposing voices at all." However, Kim (63), a taxi driver who has lived in Yangsan for 30 years, said, "We are all Democratic Party supporters. Whoever becomes president will be worse than President Moon," showing support.

As the close race continues, the casting vote is expected to come from the 20s to 40s swing voters. Most young voters met that day were swing voters without clear favorability toward any party. A woman in her 40s met at the Deokgye-dong bus stop said, "I want to choose a candidate who will boost the economy," but also expressed dissatisfaction, "But I doubt if they will ever properly come down here after being elected." Ji (30s), who runs a cafe in Yangju-dong, bluntly said, "I have no preferred candidate or party." Kim, who runs a convenience store in Yangju-dong, predicted, "Both are neck and neck. The outcome will be decided by a narrow margin."

Na Dong-yeon, a candidate of the United Future Party running in Yangsan-si (Eul), Gyeongnam, is greeting commuters on the morning of the 3rd at the Deokgye-ro intersection in Yangsan, Gyeongnam. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju, Yangsan, Gyeongnam doso7@

◆"I will live up to my name" vs. "I have the advantage in local recognition"=The two candidates, who officially started campaigning on the 2nd, began their morning with greetings to commuters. Na stood in the middle of Deokgye Intersection, bowing to passersby and cars. Some citizens approached Na and offered fist bumps. Others shouted "Fighting" as they passed by.

Na said, "Shouldn't this be seen as a fiercely contested area?" showing excitement over the ultra-close opinion polls. He emphasized, "Kim is a national figure, but locally, my recognition and support are by no means inferior. I served as Yangsan mayor for 8 years, implementing citizen-centered administration, and the evaluation of my administration was not bad."

He defined this election as a battle between locals and migratory politicians. Na said, "I am a local who protects our area. Locals shouldn't lose to migratory politicians; this concerns the pride of Yangsan citizens." He added, "I will complete the 'First Ungsang Project,' which was halted when the ruling party candidate became Yangsan mayor."

At the same time, Kim was only about 1 km away from Na. Wearing a blue jumper labeled 'Minister, Governor, National Assembly Member Kim Du-gwan,' he continuously greeted passing cars and pedestrians. Some citizens opened car windows and waved back. Some shouted, "Win!"

Kim said, "Yangsan is one of the few cities in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam where the population is increasing. Citizens' expectations and demands are high. Still, people say, 'Since it's Kim Du-gwan, he will do well for regional development.' I will live up to my name," he emphasized. Although the polls show a close race, he was not worried. Kim said, "The reactions from citizens on the ground are different. During the remaining period, I will gather these expectations and communicate more humbly and frequently."

He said, "I will make Yangsan-eul the center of the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Mega City." He added, "Issues can be learned through communication with citizens, but pushing through local projects and securing budgets from the central government is not easy without experience, political status, and relationships. I will leverage my experience, which has been recognized for getting things done well regardless of the position I held."