[Politics, That Day...] The Presidential Election's Spice 'Cheyukgwan', A Strange Political Match

The Changing Meaning of 'Gymnasium Elections'... Popular Venue for Presidential Candidate Selection
Ruling and Opposition Parties Chose Goyang Instead of Seoul for 2012 Presidential Candidate Selection

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Editor's Note‘Politics, On That Day...’ is a series planning corner that looks back on Korean politics through the ‘recollection of memories’ related to notable scenes, events, and figures.

One of the word combinations symbolizing the turbulent history of Korean politics is the ‘gymnasium election.’ The connection between gymnasiums and Korean politics is peculiar. This is because the history of the ‘gymnasium election,’ perceived as a symbol of the oppression and control of democracy, continues even today.

The meaning of gymnasium elections in the past and today differs greatly. In the past, it was a space symbolizing dictatorship politics, whereas now, the vitality of gymnasium elections is maintained due to the functional characteristics of the venue.

The gymnasium election originated from the National Conference for Unification selecting the president at Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul. How many people know that four presidents were elected through gymnasium elections at Jangchung Gymnasium?

In 1972 and 1978, Park Chung-hee was elected president; in 1979, Choi Kyu-hah was elected; and in 1980, Chun Doo-hwan was elected president. From the early 1970s until before the democratization movement in 1987, South Korean citizens did not have the right to elect the president.

The presidential election was essentially a formality. Those favored by the powers participated in the presidential election process called voting, producing an overwhelming winner with over 99% of the votes. This is why gymnasium elections have a negative image in Korean political history.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

So, did the so-called gymnasium elections disappear after 1987? The practice of electing presidents in a ‘league of their own’ within gymnasiums ended. However, ruling and opposition parties continue the custom of selecting presidential candidates in gymnasiums.

There is no absolute reason to choose gymnasiums, but considering practical conditions, there is no better place than a gymnasium for selecting presidential candidates.

From the perspective of major parties, selecting a presidential candidate is an important political event. The first consideration for the working team preparing the presidential candidate selection convention is securing a venue. Venues capable of hosting large-scale events like presidential candidate selections are limited.

Especially at the end of the year, when various events, award ceremonies, and concerts are concentrated, securing a venue becomes much more difficult. When parties choose a venue for presidential candidate selection, they consider factors such as an environment suitable for TV broadcasting, capacity to accommodate many people, ample parking, and the ability to proceed with scheduled events even in bad weather.

They also pay attention to road conditions considering people coming from provinces to Seoul. Venues like Jamsil Stadium and Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul, have good road accessibility, many gymnasiums, and ample parking space.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

From the party’s standpoint, these are perfect venues for holding presidential candidate selection conventions. Perhaps the fact that several presidents were elected at Jangchung Gymnasium in the past influenced this. Although accessibility is lower compared to Jamsil, Jangchung Gymnasium is also one of the options.

When suitable spaces cannot be found in Seoul or other circumstances arise, venues near Seoul sometimes emerge as alternatives. Kintex and Goyang Gymnasium in Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province, are used as alternative venues.

An interesting point is that in 2012, both ruling and opposition parties selected their presidential candidates in Goyang City. On August 20, 2012, Park Geun-hye, the Saenuri Party’s presidential candidate, was selected at Kintex. On September 16, 2012, Moon Jae-in, the Democratic United Party’s presidential candidate, was selected at Goyang Gymnasium.

In the past 20 years, Democratic Party-affiliated parties have chosen gymnasiums as venues for presidential candidate selection.

Democratic Party candidate Roh Moo-hyun was selected on April 27, 2002, at Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium. Jeong Dong-young, the Grand Unified Democratic New Party candidate, was selected on October 15, 2007, at Jangchung Gymnasium. Moon Jae-in, the Democratic Party candidate, was selected on April 3, 2017, at Gocheok Sky Dome.

Ahead of the 2022 presidential election, the final primary of the Democratic Party, where four politicians?Lee Jae-myung, Lee Nak-yon, Choo Mi-ae, and Park Yong-jin?clashed, will be held on the 10th at the SK Handball Stadium in Olympic Park, Seoul. If there is no runoff vote, another presidential candidate is expected to be born at the gymnasium on that day.