[Going to the Hot Zone] Min Kyung-wook Says "Compete with Vision" Amid Possibility of Pan-progressive Unification Failure

Incheon Yeonsu-eul
Jung Il-young "Support Rate Rising, No Unification"
Lee Jung-mi "Citizens Will Rally Votes"

Exterior view of the offices of the three candidates located side by side in Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon.

[Asia Economy Reporter Sung Kiho] "The reason I support the conservative candidate is because I believe Songdo can develop further. It may not reach Gangnam, but shouldn't it at least be like Gwacheon?"

"I hope for a unification of the progressive candidates. From what I see in the current approval ratings, it looks roughly like 4 to 3 to 2. To beat 4, 3 and 2 need to unify. But will 3 plus 2 necessarily make 5? What if it comes out to about 3.5?"

Crossing the Convensia Bridge in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, the campaign offices of the Democratic Party's Jeong Il-young, the United Future Party's Min Kyung-wook, and the Justice Party's Lee Jeong-mi stood side by side. The Yeonsu-eul district, known as the "Gangnam of Incheon," is witnessing a fierce three-way race, as clustered as the candidates' campaign offices. The biggest focus is undoubtedly on the unification of the progressive camp. However, as the voting day approaches, the three-way structure is solidifying, and the election battle for survival among the candidates is heating up.

Campaign appearance of Jeong Il-young, Democratic Party candidate. Provided by Jeong Il-young candidate's campaign.

Candidate Jeong firmly ruled out unification among the progressive candidates, saying "Absolutely not." The camp's atmosphere is also strongly determined to "go all the way." A camp official met at Jeong's campaign office said, "The candidate's will is firm, and we support the candidate," emphasizing, "Also, since the current approval ratings are gradually rising, we are not considering unification."

In fact, according to polls, Yeonsu-eul is the only district among Incheon's 13 constituencies where candidates from three parties are in a tight race. According to a poll conducted by the professional polling agency Jowon C&I commissioned by Gyeonggi Ilbo and Giho Ilbo and released on the 1st, covering March 29-30 (502 men and women aged 18 and over, confidence level with a sampling error of ±4.4%p, other details available on the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website), Candidate Jeong received 31.4%, Candidate Min 39.5%, and Candidate Lee 19.4%.

Campaigning scene of Lee Jung-mi, the Justice Party candidate.

Candidate Lee predicted that unification would be achieved through public sentiment. Meeting Lee during his morning greetings in front of his campaign office, he said, "There is public opinion that Min must be definitely changed through unification," adding, "But the Democratic Party has declared that there will be no unification. Ultimately, I believe citizens will concentrate their votes in one place before the election."

Candidate Min said he would focus on promoting his policies regardless of the unification controversy. Attending an election strategy meeting held by the United Future Party Incheon City Party on the 3rd, Min said, "The biggest variables in the Yeonsu-eul election are the concentrated attacks against me and the unification of opposing candidates," adding, "But since I cannot do anything about unification, I am focusing on a policy-based election."

Campaign appearance of Min Kyung-wook, candidate of the United Future Party. Provided by Min Kyung-wook's campaign team

He expressed confidence that controversies over his harsh remarks could be overcome with pledges and policies. He said, "If you look at the banners hung in the electoral district, one candidate only raises issues about my remarks, and another simply pleads to be allowed to work more," emphasizing, "Min Kyung-wook is the only candidate competing with a proper vision to develop Yeonsu-eul."

Citizens' opinions were divided. A man in his 60s met at Okryeon Market said, "Since Candidate Min has been active in central politics, the controversy over his harsh remarks has been more highlighted," adding, "This area needs to develop further. Our region needs a 'fighting' representative rather than a quiet one."

A man in his 50s met at Incheon National University Station said, "Because 'dignified politics' is necessary, I will not vote for the United Future Party candidate," adding, "I will think it over until the end of the election and support the progressive candidate who has a higher chance of winning."