[Honam Public Sentiment] Return Match Jeonju Byeong "4-term Jeong Dong-yeong" VS "Democratic Party Kim Seong-ju"

Jeong Dong-young, the Minsheng Party candidate running for Jeonju-si Byeong, Jeonbuk, is appealing for support in front of Jeonju Sports Complex in Jeonju, Jeonbuk on the 8th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo, Jeonju, Jeonbuk doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] "So why are you in the Democratic Party of Korea, why go to the People’s Party..." On the morning of the 8th, when meeting Jeong Jae-chil (in his 40s) in Yeoui-dong, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, and asking about the public opinion in the Jeonju-si Byeong district for this general election, he said, "I supported the People’s Party four years ago with hopes for new politics, but in the end, nothing changed." A woman named Park (59 years old), who identified herself as a resident of this area, also said, "You have to give up the idea that just because it’s Jeong Dong-young, he will win."

Jeonju-si Byeong is where the veteran candidate Jeong Dong-young of the Minsaeng Party is defending his stronghold, challenged by Kim Seong-ju, the Democratic Party candidate. As the Democratic Party predicted a 'sweep of Honam,' many residents in Jeonju also said they would choose the Democratic Party. Kim Sang-ju (in his 60s), who runs a hardware store, said, "Given the trend favoring the Democratic Party, many people in this area support candidate Kim." A man named Park in his 70s, whom we met at a nearby cafe, said, "We lost former President Roh Moo-hyun, but we must protect President Moon Jae-in," emphasizing, "This time, it has to be the Democratic Party." Regarding candidate Kim, he added, "Although he doesn’t have as many votes as candidate Jeong, he has experience as a director of an industrial complex and as a provincial assembly member, so if entrusted, he will do well."

However, candidate Jeong’s local base, having served four terms only in Jeonju, was formidable. Taxi driver Lee asked about local opinion and said first, "I’m a complete fan of Jeong Dong-young." Showing the business card he received directly from candidate Jeong, he emphasized, "There are many people in this area who like Jeong Dong-young," and added, "There is even a group that exchanges KakaoTalk messages directly with candidate Jeong, so he is different from those who only come down during the general election." Candidate Jeong also emphasized during street campaigns by sharing his mobile phone number, saying, "The person who will solve local complaints is Jeong Dong-young."

Kim Seong-ju, the Democratic Party candidate running for Jeonju-si Byeong in Jeollabuk-do, is appealing for support on the 8th in front of the main gate of Jeonju Paper Factory in Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do doso7@

We also met people advocating the 'Honam party role theory.' A 59-year-old woman met in Wansan-gu said, "The Democratic Party only claims to be a Honam party but has done nothing for Jeonju," and added, "Rather, because of that, I think we need to nurture Jeong Dong-young as an opposition candidate." She also said, "Although the Democratic Peace Party (formerly Minsaeng Party) failed to fulfill its role as a Honam party and disappeared, it was relatively vocal about Jeonju’s voice in the National Assembly," adding, "It is questionable how much voice candidate Kim, as a first-term lawmaker, can raise for Jeonju."

Candidate Jeong and candidate Kim are having a 'rematch' once again following the 20th general election. In the 20th general election, the result was decided by a narrow margin of 989 votes (0.76%). Candidate Kim, whom we met that day, said, "Just as the National Pension Service moved to Manseong-dong in 2015, I consider making this area a financial district concentrated with financial public institutions as the top priority."

On the other hand, candidate Jeong appealed, "I have worked hard for the development of Jeonju and Jeonbuk over the past four years," and said, "I want to have the opportunity to finish now." He pledged to make Jeonju a tourist destination along with Universal Studios, calling it the 'Milan of the East.'