[General Election Battleground] ⑬ 'Voter Sentiment Swings' Yongin Gap... The Decisive Point in the 'Semiconductor Capital'

Core of Semiconductor Cluster... 'Expanding Transportation Network' Task
Yang Hyang-ja "Semiconductor Evangelist"... Competing with Expertise
'Yoon Team's Youngest' Lee Won-mo Launches... "Powerful Ruling Party"
Democrats Confirm Strategic Primaries for Kwon In-sook, Lee Sang-sik, Lee Woo-il

The 22nd general election is just over a month away. Both ruling and opposition parties are focusing all their efforts on the Seoul metropolitan area, the most fiercely contested battleground. In particular, a fierce three-way race is unfolding among the People Power Party, the Democratic Party of Korea, and the Reform New Party over the key 'Gyeonggi Yongin-si Gap' district, the heart of the 'semiconductor belt.'

The Yongin-si Gap electoral district covers the entire Cheoin-gu (467.6㎢), the largest area in Yongin City. It accounts for 77.3% of Seoul's area (605.2㎢). Over the past decade, it has been a 'sunny spot' for the conservative camp. From the 19th to the 21st general elections, since the current district was delineated, People Power Party-affiliated candidates such as former lawmakers Lee Woo-hyun and Jung Chan-min have won. However, during the last presidential election, Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung gained the upper hand, indicating fluctuating voter sentiment.

'Semiconductor Hub' Yongin Gap... Eyes on 'Transportation Network Expansion'

Yongin City is on the brink of massive change as semiconductor companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix join forces, and the government moves forward with creating a 'mega cluster.' Residents' main concern is 'expanding the transportation network' because the area has many old downtown districts and poor traffic conditions. If semiconductor production facilities continue to be established, the number of commuting vehicles is expected to increase, causing even more congestion. The pledges from candidates of all parties, such as new subway stations and railway network expansion, also focus on 'transportation.'

Since the 17th general election, this district has been unique in that all its local members of the National Assembly have been imprisoned. This is why residents demand 'high moral standards' from candidates. Former Unified Democratic Party lawmaker Woo Je-chang, who served two terms in the 17th and 18th National Assembly, was sentenced to one year in prison for violating the Public Official Election Act. Former lawmaker Lee Woo-hyun received a seven-year prison sentence for violating the Political Funds Act. Former lawmaker Jung Chan-min lost his eligibility to run in August last year due to a third-party bribery charge, leaving the seat vacant. Lee Hwa-young, former Gyeonggi Province Deputy Governor for Peace and former Democratic Party regional chairman, is currently under arrest and investigation for the 'Ssangbangwool case.'

Yang Goes!… Yang Hyang-ja: "I Will Make Yongin the Semiconductor Capital"

Yang Hyang-ja, floor leader of the Reform New Party, is talking with residents at the Samgeori intersection near Yongin City Hall on the 28th of last month. Photo by Hee-jun Jang junh@

At the site visited on the afternoon of the 28th of last month, a favorable atmosphere toward Yang Hyang-ja, floor leader of the Reform New Party, was evident. Residents who saw Yang, greeting people on the streets between Yongin City Hall Samgeori and Myongji University intersection, often shook her hand first and expressed their delight. Yang emphasized her expertise, having settled in Yongin at the age of eighteen, even before graduating from Gwangju Girls' Commercial High School, and having worked in the semiconductor industry for over 30 years. She highlighted that she achieved the 'semiconductor legend' in Yongin as the first female executive at Samsung Electronics despite being a high school graduate.

Housewife Sung Ji-hyun (42) watching the street greetings at a crosswalk said, "It feels refreshing that she emphasizes ability rather than political fights or criticism," adding, "As a fellow woman, she has a respectable background, so I have high expectations."

Yang, who joined the Democratic Party as a recruited talent and rose to the Supreme Council, later left the party and worked as the chairperson of the Special Committee for Strengthening Semiconductor Industry Competitiveness at the People Power Party's suggestion. Ahead of this general election, she founded 'Hope of Korea' and stepped into the third-party arena.

She said, "Even when building a semiconductor factory, knowing which equipment should be installed and when is essential for swift negotiations," adding, "There is no expert in the National Assembly who understands semiconductors as well as I do." She also noted, "My experience on the Budget and Accounts Committee will be very helpful in passing legislation," and pledged, "I will definitely complete 'K-Chips Act' Season 2 to help Yongin rise as the 'semiconductor capital.'"

She also emphasized the need to improve 'living conditions' so that the young population, which will come along with 'semiconductor jobs,' can settle in the area. Regarding transportation issues, she promised to expand the transportation network connecting Yongin Terminal with direct shuttle buses to the east's Wonsam SK Hynix, west's Samsung Electronics Dongtan Campus, south's Samsung Electronics Pyeongtaek Campus, and north's Samsung Electronics Giheung Campus, alongside the opening of the 'semiconductor highway.'

'Yoon's Trust' Lee Won-mo Strategically Nominated... Emphasizing a Strong Candidate

The People Power Party's Nomination Management Committee gave priority recommendation to Lee Won-mo, former Personnel Secretary of the Presidential Office, in Yongin-si Gap, Gyeonggi Province (right), followed by Kim Dae-nam, former Administrator of the Presidential Office, declaring his support.
[Photo by Lee Won-mo's campaign team]

On the 26th of last month, the People Power Party's nomination management committee strategically nominated Lee Won-mo, former personnel secretary at the presidential office and a close confidant of President Yoon Seok-yeol. Lee initially applied for nomination in Seoul Gangnam-gu Eul but, after criticism that 'aides only seek safe districts,' he left the choice of district to the party. The People Power Party is strategically placing recruited talents in the Yongin, Suwon, and Hwaseong areas, which form the 'semiconductor belt,' betting on victory.

Lee was a special prosecutor during his time at the prosecution, handling major cases such as the state power abuse investigation, Samsung Biologics investigation, and the investigation of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk. When Yoon was the Seoul Central District Prosecutor, Lee served as a special prosecutor, and during Yoon's tenure as Prosecutor General, he was a research officer at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, earning the nickname 'the youngest member of Yoon Seok-yeol's faction.' It is also well known that he married the second daughter of the director of Jaseng Oriental Medicine Hospital, introduced by President Yoon in 2012.

Yongin Jungang Market, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si. Photo by Hee-Jun Jang junh@

Regarding his nomination for Yongin-si Gap, Lee expressed his ambition, saying, "I will serve the citizens' mandate that a strong and clean candidate must develop Yongin without hesitation." Despite President Yoon's trust, this district remains a challenging one for the ruling party. Due to various housing developments attracting people in their 30s and 40s, conservative support is no longer as strong as before. Since Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung led in the presidential election, a 'close contest' is expected.

Lee began local activities on the 29th of last month by meeting with Yongin city council members. He is expected to open his campaign office and announce pledges as early as this week, officially starting his election campaign. Besides increasing contact with residents, persuading existing preliminary candidates is also a task. Former presidential office administrator Kim Dae-nam has already declared support for Lee immediately after the strategic nomination decision.

A representative from Lee Won-mo's side told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "With the government strongly supporting the semiconductor cluster creation, we plan to highlight that Lee is a strong candidate suitable for facilitating smooth negotiations," adding, "We are not merely creating a cutting-edge industrial complex but envision plans to expand it into a 'high-tech city' alongside regional economic development."

Democrats Decide on a 'Three-Person Primary' Among Kwon In-sook, Lee Sang-sik, and Lee Woo-il

Candidates of the Democratic Party of Korea for Yongin-si Gap, Gyeonggi Province, greeting commuters. From the left, Assemblywoman Kwon In-sook (proportional representation), former Busan Police Chief Lee Sang-sik, and former regional committee chairman (acting) Lee Woo-il.

The final piece of the candidate lineup lies with the Democratic Party. On the 29th of last month, the Democratic Party's strategic nomination management committee decided on a 'three-person primary' among Representative Kwon In-sook (proportional representation), former Busan Police Chief Lee Sang-sik, and former regional chairman (acting) Lee Woo-il. The primary will be held without a runoff.

Representative Kwon opened a local office in Cheoin-gu in June last year and has been building her base. Having devoted herself to labor movements and being a victim of the '1986 Bucheon Police Station sexual torture case,' she is a symbolic figure in women's rights. She successfully entered the National Assembly as a proportional representative for the Democratic Party of Citizens in the last general election and served as chairperson of the National Assembly's Women and Family Committee, a rare achievement for a first-term lawmaker. Kwon also focuses on 'semiconductors' and 'transportation.' If elected, her first bill will be the 'Special Act on Support for Living Conditions in National Industrial Complexes (tentative name),' aiming to create a model satellite city. She plans support measures for residents affected by the national industrial complex sites and proposes expanding metropolitan transportation networks such as extending Subway Line 3, Gyeonggang Line, and connecting GTX.

Former Busan Police Chief Lee Sang-sik, originally from the TK region, served as an administrative officer in the presidential office's civil affairs secretary during the Lee Myung-bak administration but began political activities with the Democratic Party after declaring support for Moon Jae-in before the 2017 presidential election. He ran as a preliminary candidate for Daegu mayor in the 2018 local elections but lost in the runoff and was appointed regional chairman of Daegu Suseong-gu Eul. He ran for Daegu Suseong-gu Eul in the 21st general election but lost, placing third. When Lee Jae-myung emerged as a leading presidential candidate, Lee Sang-sik was listed as a founding member of the 'Democratic Peace Plaza,' classifying him as a 'pro-Lee Jae-myung faction.'

Former regional chairman Lee Woo-il also has close ties with Lee Jae-myung. He worked as a policy research officer at the National Assembly Secretariat and as a lawmaker aide before serving as head of the Management Business Headquarters at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation during Lee Jae-myung's second term as mayor of Seongnam. He has experience working in the presidential campaigns of Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in, and Lee Jae-myung. He also served as a director of the Northeast Asia Peace and Economic Cooperation Association, a corporation chaired by former party leader Lee Hae-chan. On the day of his campaign office opening, former Deputy Governor Lee Hwa-young, currently imprisoned, sent a message of support, calling Lee Woo-il a longtime comrade and colleague.