[Presidential Election Barometer Seol Min-sim] "No One I Want to Vote For Yet"... Giving One More Vote to the Less Unfavorable Candidate (Comprehensive)

Listening to 2080 Public Sentiment on the Way Home at Seoul Station, Express Bus Terminal, etc.
Many Have Not Yet Decided on Candidates Due to Personal and Family Risks

On the 28th, one day before the Lunar New Year holiday, travelers including those returning home are boarding trains at Seoul Station. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kum Boryeong, Lee Gimin, Kwon Hyunji] Citizens ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday evaluated the presidential election candidates for the March 9 election as "populist." Many also expressed the opinion that "there is no candidate worthy of support." These reactions came from voters in their 20s to 80s whom we met on the 27th, two days before the Lunar New Year holiday, at transit points such as Seoul Station and the Express Bus Terminal, where people were traveling to the provinces. It was difficult for them to choose a standout candidate due to various risks surrounding not only the candidates themselves but also their families. Even those who had preferred candidates were hesitant to confidently predict a victory, uncertain about what issues might arise in the remaining period.

At the Express Bus Terminal that day, Kwon (32) said, "I still don't know who to really vote for," adding, "I think this is a full-fledged non-preferred presidential election." Although willing to go to the polling station, Kwon found it hard to pick a candidate they liked among several options even with about 40 days left until the election. Lee (65), who was waiting for a bus to Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, also said, "I've narrowed it down to about two people but haven't decided yet, and I might vote for the lesser evil," explaining, "After the Lunar New Year, I plan to listen to what people around me say and slowly review the pledges made once the official campaign starts."

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, and Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, are attending the "2022 Stock Market Festival" held on the 3rd in front of the Korea Exchange headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Hesitation in Choice Due to 'Family' Risks

The biggest reason making the choice difficult is the 'personal and family risks' of the major party candidates. Kwon said, "Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, has major issues like his past criminal record and Hwacheon Daeyu," and added, "Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party candidate, revealed through gaffes about job-seeking apps and subscription savings accounts that he knows very little. Since Yoon has only worked as a prosecutor for a long time, his true nature will soon be exposed." Candidate Lee has four prior convictions, including for drunk driving and impersonating a prosecutor. The Daejang-dong development during his tenure as mayor of Seongnam is also under suspicion for preferential treatment. Candidate Yoon, after 26 years as a prosecutor, jumped straight into the presidential race but faced public backlash for gaffes such as saying he did not have a house and therefore could not make a subscription savings account, and that job-seeking apps would emerge in the future.

Voters also raised 'family risks' as an issue. Candidate Lee is under suspicion for his children's involvement in illegal admissions, prostitution, and illegal gambling. Candidate Yoon faces allegations related to his wife Kim Gun-hee's academic fraud and stock manipulation of Deutsch Motors. Kim Su-hyun (43), heading to Daegu during this Lunar New Year holiday, pointed out, "It's not just the candidates themselves but also their families that make me feel like 'they are all the same person'."

Concrete support bases still exist. Supporters of candidate Lee highly valued his administrative skills, given his experience as mayor of Seongnam and governor of Gyeonggi Province. Yoo Ju-yeon (44), heading to Yeongdong, Chungbuk, said, "I've seen Lee use budgets well as an administrator and think he practices universal welfare," emphasizing, "He seems to have drive and an image of not being easily swayed." Lee (80) said, "I think I should vote for candidate Yoon for economic reasons," adding, "When I ask friends around me, they say they will vote for Yoon."

The desire for 'regime change' was somewhat stronger than for 'regime maintenance.' The main reason was skepticism toward the Moon Jae-in administration. Jeong Moon-chang (68), living in Busan, said, "I will vote for Yoon because I dislike the Moon Jae-in administration and the Democratic Party candidate." Chang Hak (27), a job seeker, also explained, "I think freedom democracy is regressing under the current government, so regime change is necessary," adding, "I also dislike the current government's double standards, so I support candidate Yoon."

Those disappointed with the major parties sometimes proposed a third candidate as an alternative. Kim (37), living in Gyeonggi Province, emphasized, "Compared to the personal or family risks of the major party candidates, candidate Ahn Cheol-soo seems relatively free of such issues, and as a science background person who has experience as a doctor and in IT business, I think he fits the leadership qualities required in this era."

Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party, is speaking at a press conference hosted by the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 28th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

◆"Solve Livelihood and Real Estate Issues"

Self-employed people emphasized 'livelihood' rather than mentioning specific candidates. This is because self-employed people have been hit hardest by the economic difficulties caused by COVID-19. Yang Sun-young (57), who runs a food sales business near Seoul Station, lamented, "Current sales are less than half of what they were before COVID-19," adding, "Social distancing has been going on for over two years now, and if this continues, it will be difficult to run a business." Another self-employed person, Lee (26), said, "Restrictions on business hours seem meaningless, and the vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system (quarantine pass) feel coercive," expressing the hope that "someone would listen to the voices of self-employed people like us."

The 2030 generation, who are about to marry or newlyweds, prioritized 'solving real estate problems.' Go (35), a corporate employee planning to marry in October this year, said, "I work in Seolleung, and my fianc?e works in Jamsil, so we are looking for a house in Seoul, but even the outskirts of Seoul are expensive, and loan regulations make it difficult to find a newlywed home despite it being for actual residence," adding, "Since the Moon Jae-in administration, housing prices have skyrocketed, making it hard to buy or even afford jeonse (long-term deposit lease), and with interest rates continuing to rise, I am very worried. We need someone who can solve this problem."