'Nakdonggang Battle' Gimhae-eul... "Yoon Seok-yeol is trying" vs "Can't you see the prices?" [General Election Battleground]⑫

People Power Party's Jo Hae-jin VS Democratic Party's Kim Jeong-ho Showdown
Rep. Jo Faces Challenges from Preliminary Candidates' Backlash

"There's not a single person worth voting for, isn't that right!" On the 21st, while taking a break after shopping at Oedong Traditional Market in Gimhae, Gyeongnam, Kim (77, female) stiffened her face and raised her voice when asked about politics. She lamented that although she would vote for anyone in the upcoming April general election, it was all just "the same old story." Kim has lived in Naeoe-dong, Gimhae, where Oedong Traditional Market is located, for 20 years but pointed out that she has never felt more reluctant to vote than this time. "Every time we elect someone and send them to the National Assembly, they just fight among themselves. I'll go vote, but I still don't know who to pick, so don't ask me any more!"

Citizens are shopping at Oedong Traditional Market located in Naeoe-dong, Gimhae-si, Gyeongnam. Oedong Traditional Market is called the public sentiment barometer of the Gimhae-eul electoral district.
Photo by Gong Byung-sun mydillon@

Naeoe-dong in Gimhae, where Oedong Traditional Market is located, is called the "public sentiment barometer" of the Gimhae-eul electoral district. In the 20th general election, former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo won with an overall vote share of 62.38% and 61.86% in Naeoe-dong. In the 21st general election, the vote share of Kim Jeong-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, was similarly close: 49.67% overall and 49.12% in Naeoe-dong.

Opinions among the people at Oedong Traditional Market were divided. Lee Gap-jung (70, male), who sells seafood, expressed regret that the opposition party had obstructed the president's agenda, preventing President Yoon from carrying out his desired policies. "Members of the National Assembly only look out for their own interests. President Yoon is trying to change that. I think we should give him more time."

On the other hand, Heo Seong-dae (53, male), who runs a fish cake shop, shook his head when asked "Who would you vote for?" saying, "It's so hard to make a living." "Can't you see prices are rising now? I don't know if any of President Yoon's policies have truly helped small business owners. We need to hold them accountable," he said emphatically.

Oedong Traditional Market located in Naeoe-dong, Gimhae-si, Gyeongnam. Oedong Traditional Market is called the public sentiment barometer of the Gimhae-eul electoral district.
Photo by Gong Byung-sun mydillon@

The Gimhae-eul electoral district has traditionally been a stronghold of the progressive camp even within the Yeongnam region. Former President Roh Moo-hyun’s secretary, former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo, won the 20th general election with 62.38%, decisively defeating former ssireum wrestler Lee Man-gi, who received 34.4%. In the 2018 by-election, Kim Jeong-ho of the Democratic Party also won decisively with 63.01% against former Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly member Seo Jong-gil, who received 27.56%. However, in the 21st general election, Kim won with 49.67%, beating Jang Gi-pyo, co-representative of the Citizens' Movement for the Abolition of Privileges, who received 41.61%, but the margin narrowed significantly.

Meanwhile, on the 18th, the People Power Party’s nomination management committee gave priority nomination to Assemblyman Jo Hae-jin, who served three terms in Miryang, Uiryeong, Haman, and Changnyeong, for Gimhae-eul. This is a declaration of intent not to lose the 'Nakdong River Belt' any further to the progressive camp. However, local party members in Gimhae are unwilling to simply give up the stronghold they have cultivated. People Power Party preliminary candidates Kim Seong-woo, Kim Jin-il, Park Jin-gwan, Seo Jong-gil, and Lee Sang-ryul have protested, saying that if there is no primary election, they will unify candidates and run as independents.

Rep. Jo Hae-jin of the People Power Party is meeting and talking with residents of the Miryang area. / Photo by Rep. Jo Hae-jin of the People Power Party Office

"My head feels heavy." On the 21st, Assemblyman Jo, whom we met on site in Gimhae-eul, paused and fell into thought. He said resolving conflicts among party members is the top priority. "I owe debts to both areas. I owe a debt to the people of Miryang, Uiryeong, Haman, and Changnyeong who have devoted themselves for up to 20 years, and now I am about to become a debtor to the residents of Gimhae-eul." However, he firmly stated there will be no primary election as requested by the preliminary candidates. He explained that since the decision was made by the party, it cannot be changed, and he does not have the power to change it.

He emphasized that since this is a region unfavorable to the conservative camp, he will approach the election with humility. Assemblyman Jo said, "Basically, Gimhae-eul is a harsh area for conservatives," but added, "President Yoon’s approval ratings and the party’s support are improving, which will help during the election." He also said, "There will be disappointment among the people here toward the progressive camp," and "Expectations for change will be important in this general election."

Kim Jeong-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is greeting local residents of Gimhae on their morning commute. / Photo by Kim Jeong-ho, Office of the Democratic Party of Korea Representative

The incumbent in this district, Democratic Party member Kim Jeong-ho, said he will approach citizens confidently yet humbly. Kim emphasized, "Is there a royal road to elections? We must keep promises at the citizens' level." Having been nominated unopposed on the 15th, he has been greeting local residents during their commutes since early this month. Kim said, "Through the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (BooUlGyeong) Mega City and the Northeast Asia logistics platform, I will help solve the problem of regional extinction and support the installation of trams (urban rail) to address the division between old and new downtown areas."

Kim said, "Residents react to Assemblyman Jo coming to Gimhae-eul as 'out of the blue,'" adding, "The central party’s engineering mindset cannot win the hearts of local voters." He continued, "The Yoon administration has shown regression compared to previous administrations in areas such as the economy, diplomacy, and democracy in less than two years since its launch," emphasizing, "This election is a judgment on the Yoon administration’s mismanagement and incompetence."