Key Topics at Gwangju and Jeonnam Lunar New Year Tables: Early Presidential Election and Livelihood Stability

Public Sentiment Delivered by Political Circles: "Constitutional Court, Uphold Impeachment"
December 3 Martial Law Incident Deals Direct Blow to Ordinary People's Economy
Local Residents Reaffirm Strong Support for Representative Lee Jaemyung
Anger Erupts as 'Agriculture and Livelihoods' Are Buried Under Political News

President Yoon Sukyeol attended the third impeachment trial hearing held on the afternoon of the 21st at the Grand Bench of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul. As the constitutional justices entered, the attendees stood up and then took their seats. Photo by Joint Press Corps

This year, the key topics at the dining tables of Gwangju and Jeonnam residents during the Lunar New Year holiday were the 'early presidential election' and 'stabilization of people's livelihoods.' Members of the National Assembly from Gwangju and Jeonnam said that the voices of the local people they met during the holiday called for the Constitutional Court's prompt decision on the president's impeachment, a regime change through an early presidential election, and stabilization of daily life.

Yang Bunam, chairman of the Gwangju City branch of the Democratic Party (Gwangju Seo-gu Eul), said on the 30th, "The dominant opinion was that the Constitutional Court should uphold the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol and that the livelihoods of the people must be improved." He added, "Distrust of the prosecution is growing, and when the extension of the detention period was recently requested, surprisingly many people were concerned. Most citizens said they were relieved when the court rejected the request and President Yoon was immediately indicted and detained."

Joo Cheolhyeon, chairman of the Jeonnam Provincial branch of the Democratic Party (Jeonnam Yeosu Gap), said, "There were strong voices that people's livelihoods must be revived through a prompt dismissal and early presidential election," and added, "After the December 3 martial law incident, consumer sentiment shrank, dealing a heavy blow to the self-employed, small business owners, and neighborhood economies."

Min Hyungbae, a member of the same party (Gwangju Gwangsan Eul), said, "It is a relief that President Yoon Suk-yeol has been indicted and detained, but most people agreed that this situation needs to end quickly." He emphasized, "The public sentiment during the Lunar New Year was, in a word, stability and recovery. Although there is great anxiety, the desire for 'stability and recovery' was overwhelming. We once again confirmed the strong trust and support of local residents for Representative Lee Jaemyung."

Park Kyuntaek (Gwangju Gwangsan Gap) said, "At a recent workshop for party officials in Gwangsan Gap, we decided to include pledges for attracting companies to create youth jobs and for the development of Gwangju and Jeonnam as pledges for the early presidential election." He added, "While talking about an early presidential election could be misunderstood as trying to take advantage of the impeachment situation for political gain, we need to expand our support base to avoid repeating the suffering experienced by the people after the last presidential election defeat."

Jeon Jinsook (Gwangju Buk-gu Eul) diagnosed, "Even though President Yoon has been detained, citizens' anxiety seems to be high because the government does not acknowledge the rebellion as an act of governance." She added, "Many local residents expressed the opinion that the Democratic Party should prepare a plan for after taking power."

Gwangju Emergency Action held a rally called the "Gwangju Citizens' March of Remembrance and Solidarity" in front of Jeonil Building 245 on Geumnamro, Gwangju, on the afternoon of the 4th. About 2,000 citizens participated wearing black clothing and ribbons as a sign of mourning. The attendees shouted slogans demanding, "Arrest and detain the traitor Yoon Seokyeol immediately." Photo by Song Bohyun

Democratic Party lawmaker Park Ji-won (Jeonnam Haenam, Wando, Jindo) said, "The most common thing I heard was that President Yoon should be impeached as soon as possible." He continued, "There are only 100 days left until the early presidential election. Sixty days after the Constitutional Court's decision, the presidential election will be held, and if there is a party convention, only Representative Lee Jaemyung remains. While there are mixed feelings about Representative Lee, many believe he is the most competitive candidate at this point."

Lee Gaeho (Jeonnam Damyang, Hampyeong, Yeonggwang, Jangseong) said, "Public sentiment in Honam is highly cohesive, and it will be the same in the early presidential election expected in April or May." He added, "However, if there are conflicts over people's livelihoods or party unity, the voter turnout could fall somewhat."

Seo Samseok (Jeonnam Yeongam, Muan, Shinan) said, "There was an outpouring of anger about agriculture and people's livelihoods being buried under political news. There were many calls to immediately remove Yoon Suk-yeol from office." He continued, "The long holiday also highlighted regional polarization, making this a bleak holiday with little excitement or expectation. I am frustrated, wondering what politics should do and what answers I should provide."

Shin Jeonghun (Jeonnam Naju, Hwasun) said, "The key words are practicality, people's livelihoods, and the provinces. It is not enough to change the world through legislation in Yeouido alone; the role of the provinces is important. There were strong voices demanding that major policies such as local currency and the Grain Management Act be firmly implemented by the new government."

Kim Moonsu (Jeonnam Suncheon, Gwangyang, Gokseong, Gurye Gap) also said, "Many people asked us to pay more attention to the economy, saying 'It's hard to make a living.' I will work even harder to revive democracy and the people's livelihoods, so that the people can welcome a warm spring."