[Public Sentiment Survey] 'Presidential Election Barometer' Chungcheong & Jeju, Lee vs. Yoon 'Neck and Neck'... Rising Interest in Ahn-Yoon Unification

Sejong·Seogwipo and Other Chungcheong·Jeju Swing Voters 'Watch Until the Last Moment'
Honam Shows Skeptical Opinions Despite Lee Jae-myung's Strong Lead
'Would Prefer to Vote for the Democratic Party but Dislike Candidate Lee'
Mixed Public Opinion on Opposition Unity Proposal

[Asia Economy Reporters Koo Chae-eun, Lee Ki-min, Kwon Hyun-ji] Two days before the official election campaign began, the public sentiment in the Chungcheong and Jeju regions was tightly contested amid the razor-thin presidential race between Lee Jae-myung and Yoon Seok-youl. Chungcheong and Jeju, which have played the role of 'casting vote' regions and have accurately predicted all past presidential election results, are known as the 'barometer of national public opinion,' clearly reflecting a facet of the presidential election sentiment.

Following candidate Lee's weekend itinerary, our coverage of public sentiment in the Chungcheong and Jeju areas revealed that opinions were evenly split between the view that undecided voters would ultimately support Lee and the strong sentiment for regime change favoring Yoon's victory. Opinions were also divided regarding the opposition candidate unification proposal made by Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party on the 13th, with people reluctant to reveal their true feelings.

Meanwhile, in Honam, traditionally a stronghold of the Democratic Party, Lee's support remained strong, but voter consolidation appeared weaker than in the past.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Sejong and Seogwipo 'Lee Jae-myung'… Other regions say "Need to watch"＝ On the 12th, Kim (44), whom we met at Sejong Traditional Market, said, "Former President Roh Moo-hyun created and developed Sejong City, so most merchants here support Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, and I do too," adding, "I hope he keeps his promises about making the administrative capital." Park (64), who runs a fruit and vegetable specialty store, said, "My granddaughter in second grade told me not to vote for Yoon Seok-youl because he is arrogant," and added, "Looking at the Sejong city councilors, district councilors, and mayor, almost all are from the Democratic Party. I will support Lee this time as well."

Kim (70), who runs a quality goods store, said, "The issue with his wife can happen when working as a public official," and expressed support for Lee, saying, "Someone like Yoon, who has been a prosecutor all his life, probably cannot handle national affairs properly."

On the 13th, Oh (54), whom we met at Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market, said, "Lee seems to have experience in national administration and gives the impression of knowing well, and he also seems to have political sensibility," adding, "Many people from Honam have migrated here since the past, and with compensation for the April 3rd victims starting next year, support for the Democratic Party has increased."

Go (43), who runs a sashimi restaurant near Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market, said, "Neither Lee nor Yoon seems fit to be president, but if I have to vote, I would choose Lee," adding, "Many around me dislike Yoon, citing his rough remarks as a problem, and many were turned off by the sweeping investigations during the Cho Kuk case."

However, public sentiment in regions other than Sejong and Seogwipo showed a slightly different trend. Many voters remained undecided or were observing until the last moment. Park (44), whom we met at Mannyeon Intersection in Daejeon, said, "Promises like the administrative city or Daedeok Special Zone have been recycled by the Democratic Party for a long time without much realization. Only the prices in surrounding satellite cities have risen, and nothing has been accomplished," adding, "Many say it’s the same whoever you vote for, and I haven’t decided yet." Kim (62), who has operated a personal taxi in Cheonan for 30 years, questioned, "If many support the Democratic Party, taxi drivers should all know that Lee Jae-myung is coming to the Independence Hall, but no one knows," sighing, "Neither candidate appeals to me, so I’m frustrated." Jung (34), whom we met at Cheonan Asan Station, said, "I expected Lee to perform well in debates, but he seemed to be losing to Yoon, so many ruling party supporters around me have turned away, and so have I."

Oh (24), working at a cafe near Jeju Dongmun Market, said, "Lee seems to be leading, but as the election approaches, more elderly customers are speaking positively about Yoon," adding, "Honestly, since this is my first time voting in a presidential election and there are issues with both candidates or their spouses, I haven’t decided yet."

The younger generation in their 20s and 30s in Chungcheong and Jeju also expressed disinterest in voting itself. Jeon (29), a university student met at Donggwang Square in front of Daejeon Station, said, "I don’t think life will change much no matter who is elected, and I dislike both candidates, so I might not even go to vote." Go (32), working at a souvenir shop in Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market, said, "I’m still undecided about voting," adding, "Yoon has issues with his in-laws, and Lee has problems with his own vulgar language, so their images are poor, and I want to watch more before deciding."

Nevertheless, there were also opinions that there might be many 'shy Democratic Party' and 'shy People Power Party' votes in Chungcheong and Jeju, respectively, that are not obvious. Yoon (40), whom we met at Expo-ro in Daejeon, said, "People in Chungcheong don’t openly express their preferred candidate as much as those in Gyeongsang or Jeolla provinces, so some figures might not be captured in polls," adding, "I think Lee is better than Yoon, who lacks political experience." On the other hand, Jeon (64), whom we met at Jeju Dongmun Market, said, "I heard Lee’s speech at the market on the 13th asking for support to 'not go back to the past,' but honestly, even during the Democratic Party government, many were involved in corruption and irregularities," adding, "Many around me don’t say it openly, but they think Yoon becoming president and clearing the past again is necessary to move forward."

Right after Ahn Cheol-soo’s 'unification proposal' press conference aimed at Yoon, Jeju citizens we met were divided between views that it could bring stability to the opposition and skepticism about whether it would be a decisive factor in the presidential election. Kim (68), who runs a traditional confectionery store at Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market, said, "If Ahn and Yoon unify and Yoon continues to the election with Ahn’s support, I think they could absorb support and beat Lee stably." Meanwhile, Kim (60), a taxi driver in Jeju City, said, "People here in Jeju don’t really care about Ahn anymore," adding, "Even if they unify, I don’t think there will be much change in support within Jeju."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Honam’s Lee Jae-myung Strong but Voter Consolidation 'Shaky'＝On the 13th, citizens met in Gwangju Metropolitan City and Jeonnam generally showed strong support for Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, but the support seemed more shaky than solid. Choo Oh-sung (35, pseudonym), who works in distribution in Jeonnam, said, "I will vote for Lee in this election," adding, "With his experience as mayor of Seongnam and governor of Gyeonggi Province, I expect policies on real estate and dismantling vested interests." Kim Ji-hye (79, pseudonym), living in Gwangju, said, "Honam is still a Democratic Party stronghold," adding, "What would Yoon Seok-youl of the People Power Party, who was just a prosecutor, know?"

However, skeptical opinions about Lee were also detected. Choi Jin-seok (65, pseudonym), unemployed and residing in Jeonnam, said, "I want to vote for the Democratic Party if possible, but I dislike Lee," adding, "I have seen him cry several times when admitting mistakes, but he should either not apologize at all or admit mistakes confidently."

Interest in Yoon Seok-youl of the People Power Party has increased, but there were signs of wavering due to his ability to govern and remarks about investigating the Moon Jae-in government’s alleged corruption. Lee (60), a self-employed person in Boseong, said, "There are supporters of Yoon around me," adding, "Honam is gradually changing." Although expressing support for Lee, complaints about Honam being neglected even during the Moon Jae-in government were also heard in various places.

There was significant interest in Ahn Cheol-soo’s unification proposal, which was announced as breaking news during our coverage. Kim (41), living in Gwangju, said, "With the big risks of the two major parties, Ahn has no risk," adding, "If it’s a one-on-one match with Lee, he might win." Lim (28), also from Gwangju, said, "I hope Ahn sticks to his principles in politics," but added, "I don’t think unification is a good idea."

Kim (30), living in Gwangju, predicted, "It seems like they want to gain strength through unification, but it won’t really hurt Lee." Like Chungcheong and Jeju, many lamented having no candidate to choose. Kim (43), a self-employed person in Gwangju, said, "One is a runaway train (Lee), and the other is a clueless child (Yoon)," adding, "Neither candidate appeals to me. I really don’t want to vote this time."

[Image source=Yonhap News]