[Report] 'Teotbat' People Power Party VS 'One Team' Democratic Party & Cho Kuk... On the Scene at the Busan Geumjeong District Mayor By-election

"Busan is still a stronghold of the People Power Party. We have to support them." (Merchant at Bugok Market, Bugok-dong)

"Look at what the presidential couple is doing. They keep hiding things until they're exposed." (Convenience store owner, Guseo-dong)

Early voting for the by-election of the Geumjeong District Office chief in Busan began on the morning of the 11th. On the 10th, a day before early voting, a fierce final election battle took place in Geumjeong-gu. In the morning, the People Power Party filed a complaint against the opposing side for violating the Public Official Election Act, and in the afternoon, the Democratic Party did the same. Amid the heated atmosphere, residents showed two major reactions. One side said, "Let's support the People Power Party that has worked so far." Geumjeong-gu is a 'conservative stronghold' where conservative parties have won 8 out of 9 elections historically. The other side mentioned negative evaluations of President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife, saying the election battle is tight. Normally, the People Power Party would have the advantage, but the current mood is different.

On the 10th, citizens are shopping at Bugok Market in Bugok-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan.
Photo by O Ji-eun

Most merchants and passersby met at Bugok Market in Bugok-dong, Geumjeong-gu, were aware that an election was taking place. This was a different pattern from the usual low attention to by-elections. Campaign workers and vehicles came and went, and support fire came from Yeonje-gu, located south of Geumjeong-gu. When People Power Party council members from Yeonje-gu greeted merchants, they usually shook hands warmly. Lee Yeon-hwa (61, female), who came out of a church inside the market, said, "Wouldn't the People Power Party do well?" and added, "There are many elderly people who lean conservative."

Yoon (female, in her 50s), who runs a restaurant, expressed a sense of urgency in contrast. She said, "No, the People Power Party is not doing well right now," adding, "They merged with the Jo Guk (Jo Guk Innovation Party) over there. So they are losing now, which is a big problem." She muttered several times to herself, "Why is Jo Guk so popular?" She was evaluating the unification of the Democratic Party with the Jo Guk Innovation Party as an increase in strength. Jo Guk, the leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, who is from Busan, actually has high recognition in Busan. The party support rate for the Jo Guk Innovation Party in Busan has often recorded double digits.

The Democratic Party and the Jo Guk Innovation Party repeatedly conflicted and negotiated to unify their candidates. On the 6th, at the last moment, they agreed that Kim Kyung-ji of the Democratic Party would run as the unified candidate of the two parties. Ryu Je-sung, the Jo Guk Innovation Party candidate, withdrew and is now helping Kim's campaign. Kim's side announced that on the 9th, they held a meeting attended by both candidates. Ryu said in a phone call, "Personally, I have some regrets about the process," but added, "Anyway, we are joint candidates and must win. I will do whatever Kim's side requests."

On the 10th, a banner of Kim Kyung-ji, the Democratic Party candidate running for the by-election of the Geumjeong District Mayor in Bugok-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, is displayed. Opposite, a campaign worker for Yoon Il-hyun, the People Power Party candidate, is campaigning. / Photo by Oh Ji-eun joy@

However, the population structure of Geumjeong-gu may act as a negative factor for the 'one team' formed by the Democratic Party and the Jo Guk Innovation Party. Among the approximately 210,000 residents of Geumjeong-gu, about 76,000 are aged 60 or older, accounting for about 36%. Compared to the national average of about 28%, the proportion of elderly people is high. On by-election days that are not public holidays, participation is mainly by the elderly. Kim Wan-sik (70, male), who runs a store in front of the Geumjeong District Office, said, "The Democratic Party has little experience working here," and expressed support for the People Power Party, saying, "The People Power Party has already done everything, including building roads for the people."

However, the People Power Party is carrying risks originating from the presidential office. Taxi driver Jeong (male, in his 50s) said, "Busan citizens supported the People Power Party a lot, but this time, I don't know," and laughed sarcastically, "Because the high-ups did too well." Yuilbong (63, male), who identified himself as a 'native of Geumjeong-gu,' said, "This time, because of the issues with the president and Mrs. Kim Gun-hee, Yoon Il-hyun is falling behind, so it has become a fierce battle," adding, "Even in my house, the young son-in-law and daughter lean toward the Democratic Party."

Yuilbong also said, "Yoon started in Geumjeong-gu from elementary school," and "He was diligent since he was a city council member."

On the 10th, banners of candidates for the Geumjeong District Mayor by-election were hung across Geumjeong-gu, Busan. Kim Kyung-ji, the candidate from the Democratic Party of Korea, displayed banners with the phrase "This time, it's a judgment on the Yoon Seok-yeol administration!" while Yoon Il-hyun, the candidate from the People Power Party, included pledges regarding local issues on his banners.
Photo by Oh Ji-eun

Recognizing this atmosphere, each candidate was conducting different election campaigns. Kim emphasized 'judging the regime,' while Yoon highlighted local issues such as 'creating school routes' and 'supporting circular buses.' Kim also expanded his campaign by appearing on pro-Democratic Party YouTube channels. At Kim's campaign office, about a dozen people from the Democratic Party Busan City Party, local council members, and regional committees were working together. Kim's side said, "The district chief is not just a local worker," adding, "Because the central party is also involved, we can talk about 'making the Chimrye Hospital public.'"

Yoon's side is somewhat embarrassed as government failures affect the district chief election. Yoon's side said, "We need to choose who will work for Geumjeong-gu, but the other side (Democratic Party) seems to keep focusing on personalities." Yoon's campaign leaflet reads on the cover, "Please don't turn Geumjeong-gu into a political arena." They also announced plans to improve residential environments, enhance education and childcare facilities, and increase youth inflow. There were hardly any permanent staff visible at Yoon's campaign office. The camp said they prefer to send 'field dispatch teams' of four people each rather than having many staff at the office.