The Breeze That Was Lee Jae-myung's Wind, Even That Bound by the Trap of Gyeyang

Resuming Political Career by Running in By-election
Planned Nationwide Campaign Support
Focus on Constituency Amid Low Approval Ratings
"Disappointed with Democratic Party" "Presidential Candidate Emerges"
Grassroots Sentiment Divided Between Support and Opposition

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok, Gyeyang=Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] Lee Jae-myung, the general election campaign committee chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was seeking a political breakthrough in the Incheon Gyeyang-eul by-election for the National Assembly, is struggling in public opinion polls. Although he intended to serve as the overall commander and vanguard of the Democratic Party's election campaign nationwide in the June 1 local elections, his activities seem confined to the metropolitan area due to election issues in Incheon and specifically in the Gyeyang-eul constituency where he is running as a candidate. There is also an emergency regarding Lee’s future and the Democratic Party’s ability to secure a central figure after the election.

According to the combined results of public opinion polls in the Gyeyang-eul district on the 24th, Lee’s support rate is trailing behind his competitor, Yoon Hyung-sun of the People Power Party. In a survey conducted by Mono Communications on the 20th and 21st, commissioned by Kyungin Ilbo, 500 men and women aged 18 and over residing in Gyeyang-eul were surveyed. Lee received 46.6% support, trailing Yoon’s 46.9% by 0.3 percentage points. This contrasts sharply with a poll conducted on the 16th and 17th by MBN, which surveyed 806 men and women aged 18 and over in the area, where Lee led comfortably with 50.8% over Yoon’s 40.9%.

As the situation appeared to be a close race, Lee expressed skepticism about the polls. On the 24th, during a radio appearance, he said, "I greet people going to work from 6:30 a.m., and the reactions on the ground are very different from the results of the automated response telephone (ARS) survey," emphasizing that the recent polls showing him behind differ from the grassroots sentiment. The day before, Lee had said, "We must respect the survey results," but his stance changed within a day.

After attending the memorial ceremony for former President Roh Moo-hyun on the 23rd, Lee told reporters, "From now on, I think I should focus on the metropolitan area, the Gyeyang constituency, and Incheon," indicating his intention to limit his future role to the metropolitan area.

Tension was high within the Democratic Party. Kim Min-seok, the general election campaign headquarters chief of the Democratic Party, explained at a briefing that Lee’s support rate in Gyeyang-eul "has been consistent from the start and has not narrowed much." He cited reasons for Lee’s wavering support, including being an outsider to the area, campaigning outside Gyeyang-eul, and the People Power Party focusing negative campaigns on Lee. Compared to the original plan to support nationwide election campaigns while contesting the Gyeyang-eul by-election, Kim’s explanation indicates the situation has become urgent.

On the 23rd, election banners were hung near Gyeyang District Office in Gyeyang-dong, Gyeyang-gu, Incheon. Photo by Kwon Hyunji

The grassroots sentiment confirmed in Gyeyang-eul was also unusual. Park (57, residing in Gyesan-dong, Incheon), who identified himself as a centrist, said, "I have been very disappointed with the Democratic Party government for five years, so I will not vote for Lee," adding, "I was relieved to see Yoon’s support rate rise recently." Kim (46), who runs an eyeglasses store, also predicted, "I think Lee will win, but not overwhelmingly like Song Young-gil (former National Assembly member from this area)."

There were many negative views about Lee’s candidacy in Gyeyang-eul. Yoon (69), residing in Gyesan-dong, Incheon, criticized, "The principle is to run in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province," and added, "Isn’t he running to avoid investigation?" A 19-year-old woman from Gyesan-dong, who requested anonymity, also said, "Many people are puzzled that Lee suddenly came to Gyeyang instead of Seongnam."

However, many citizens expressed support for Lee. Kim Young-hyun (34), a self-employed person in Gyesan-dong, said, "Lee seems to want to do something and develop Gyeyang-eul," adding, "If I vote, I will choose Lee." Lee Dong-jin (44) from Imhak-dong, Incheon, also said, "Does the constituency really matter? The doctor (Yoon) also wants to be a member of the National Assembly," and added, "In that case, it’s better to have someone who works well."

There was also anticipation for the return of a leading presidential candidate. Kim Young-hyun said, "Lee ran in the presidential election and has been exposed to the media continuously, so I think he has been somewhat verified." Jo Eun-sook (52), living in Gyulhyeon-dong, Incheon, said, "Many people think Gyeyang will develop because of Lee and view him more favorably," adding, "Many say that if Lee hadn’t come, Incheon wouldn’t have appeared so much on TV."