Yoon Seok-yeol Visits Rival Hong Joon-pyo's Hometown Changnyeong, Saying "Came to Shop for Chuseok" ... Supporters Flock to Bustling Chuseok Market

Yoon Seok-yeol, former Prosecutor General and presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is shaking hands with merchants at Changnyeong Permanent Market in Gyeongnam on the 18th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential primary candidate, visited Changnyeong, Gyeongnam, the hometown of his rival Hong Joon-pyo, on the 18th, the start of the Chuseok holiday.

At the bustling marketplace crowded with supporters, Candidate Yoon clearly stated, "I came to do some shopping before the holiday."

On the first day of the Chuseok holiday, it was as if he came to shop for votes right in front of his rival's hometown doorstep.

Around 10:25 a.m., Yoon got off in front of Myeongdeok Elementary School at the entrance of Changnyeong Traditional Market, where the oil market is held, and greeted the gathered supporters by waving his hand.

He then walked around an 800-meter section of the market, shaking hands with local residents and market merchants who had come to shop, raising his hand to show friendliness.

Surrounded by about 2,000 people including the holiday market crowd and supporters, Candidate Yoon made a round of the market, maintaining eye contact and continuing to shake hands.

An elderly resident in his 80s said, "A righteous person should become president." An elderly woman said, "After shaking hands, his hands feel soft."

Amid the crowd chanting "President Yoon Seok-yeol," Candidate Yoon showed an encouraged expression.

When asked by reporters about his thoughts on visiting his rival's hometown, he avoided a direct answer, saying, "I came to look around local traditional markets before the holiday to see how the economy and people's livelihoods are."

When asked, "Is there any political motive?" he replied, "Of course, there probably is," and regarding how he will compete with Hong Joon-pyo for regime change, he said, "Please watch."

Candidate Yoon left Changnyeong Market, saying, "Fueled by passionate support, I will surely repay with regime change," and headed to Jinju.