[General Election Battleground](18) "I don't know Anguiryeong but support the Democratic Party" vs "We must empower the ruling party's Kim Jaeseop"

Dobong-gap Contest Between Young Politicians in Their 30s
Recent Voter Sentiment and Election Law Risks Also Factors

In the April 10 general election for Seoul Dobong Gap, Kim Jaeseop of the People Power Party and Ahn Gwiryung of the Democratic Party of Korea faced off. Both candidates are young politicians in their 30s. Kim is a native of Dobong-gu and has high name recognition due to his long period of activity in the local community and broadcasting. Ahn, a former YTN anchor, was strategically nominated here after incumbent Rep. In Jae-geun announced she would not run.

'Favorability and Opposition Judgment' Carried by Kim Jaeseop

"I support Kim Jaeseop, whom I have known and lived with for a long time."

A man running a butcher shop at Sinchang Market in Dobong-gu, Seoul, answered this way on the 26th when asked whom he would vote for. He said, "I have known Kim for about five years," and evaluated, "Kim is knowledgeable and influential as a broadcast panelist." Regarding Ahn, he said, "I am not interested because she is not well known."

Kim Jae-seop, the People Power Party candidate for Dobong-gap, and his spouse are greeting citizens in the morning at Exit 2 of Chang-dong Station on the 26th.
[Photo by Choi Young-chan]

Kim Mo (female, in her 80s), whom we met at Choansan Park in Chang-dong, Dobong-gu, also said, "Since we have already elected a president, we should let him work," and "I will vote for Kim to support the government." She expressed resentment toward the Democratic Party and its leader Lee Jae-myung, saying, "The national debt is huge, but Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party says he will give 250,000 won. Our children have to pay it all back, so that is not right."

Lee Mo (female, in her 80s), who was listening nearby, also said, "The Democratic Party passes bills among themselves, so the president is meaningless," and "I plan to vote for Kim."

'Whoever it is, It's the Democratic Party' Carried by Ahn Gwiryung

Dobong Gap is a traditional stronghold of the Democratic Party. The late Rep. Kim Geun-tae served three terms (15th to 17th National Assembly), and his wife, Rep. In Jae-geun, also served three terms (19th to 21st). This is why Kim cannot be complacent despite Ahn’s low recognition due to lack of local ties.

Two women who said they would vote for the Democratic Party in this election did not know who the Democratic candidate for Dobong Gap was. When they learned that Ahn was running, they started searching for her on their phones. Kim Mo (male, in his 60s) said, "So that’s why Rep. In’s photo was taken down (from the building)," and added, "Still, I think the Democratic Party will win." He also said, "I hope the president changes back to the Democratic Party."

Election office of Ahn Gwi-ryeong, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Dobong-gap, Dobong-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Choi Young-chan]

Kim Mo (female, in her 60s), who was sitting and talking with them, said, "She was a YTN announcer?" and added, "Well, announcers do enter politics quite often." She emphasized, "I am voting for the Democratic Party because I really dislike President Yoon Seok-yeol’s autocratic style."

Election Law Risk, Recent Election Results Are Variables

Although this is an opposition-strong area where some voters choose the Democratic Party regardless of the candidate, Ahn’s risk of violating election laws is a variable. On the 25th, the Dobong District Election Commission issued a 'stern warning' to Ahn for using a microphone to greet local residents. Baek Mo (male, in his 60s), a Democratic supporter met at Sinchang Market, said, "The opposition candidate changed, but since she rambles, I can’t give my heart to her," and added, "We need to watch more."

Also, looking at recent voter sentiment in Dobong Gap, the Democratic Party cannot be completely assured. In the 21st general election and the 20th presidential election, Democratic candidates won with over 50% of the vote, but in the district mayor and Seoul mayor elections, People Power Party candidates won. In 2022, Oh Eun-seok was elected Dobong District Mayor, defeating Democratic candidate Kim Yong-seok. In the same year’s Seoul mayoral election, Oh Se-hoon won decisively against Democratic candidate Song Young-gil.

After finishing his morning greetings at Chang-dong Station that day, Kim told reporters, "The core pledges are to quickly resolve the ongoing private station development at Chang-dong Station and to enable the use of the Suseo High-Speed Railway (SRT) and KTX on the GTX C line of the metropolitan area express railway." He added, "The district’s reconstruction projects are also important. Since Mayor Oh took office, reconstruction has been actively promoted, so I also plan to actively pursue government support and legislative amendments necessary for reconstruction." Ahn’s side reportedly decided internally not to give media interviews.