"We Absolutely Vote for People Power Party" Seomun Market Mayor Focused Only on Conservatives Despite Yoon's Impeachment [Report]

Still a Conservative Stronghold... Favorable Sentiment Toward People Power Party
"Impeachment Was the Right Thing," but Blame Placed on Democratic Party
Some in Their 50s Express Support for Lee Jaemyung

A week after former President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached, on the 11th, a shoe store in Seomun Market, Jung-gu, Daegu. This is the place where former President Yoon first visited Daegu after his inauguration in August 2022 and personally purchased shoes. The store owner in his 60s cautiously said, "It hurts my heart," adding, "The person most at fault is former President Yoon, but there might be something we don't know." His words, "I will abstain from voting in this presidential election," revealed a sense of emptiness.

Seomun Market, considered a 'conservative stronghold,' is a place where candidates visit so often during election seasons that the threshold is worn out. Former President Yoon chose this place as his last campaign spot the day before the presidential election. At noon on Friday, the Kalguksu Alley lined with dozens of street stalls was bustling with people. The most popular menu here was undoubtedly 'Kaljebi,' a dish mixing kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) and sujebi (hand-torn dough flakes), a specialty of Seomun Market.

The lively atmosphere changed in the 2nd district shopping area dealing with fabrics. The reputation as a textile hub seemed ironic as the area appeared quiet. Merchants selling various fabrics, hanbok, curtains, and bedding stared blankly at their phones while waiting for customers. Some tried hard to stop passersby by asking, "Do you need anything?"

Between Seomun Market District 1 and District 2, the alley is lined with food stalls. As lunchtime arrived, people flocked to this area. Photo by Jang Bo-kyung

The conservative party support among Seomun Market merchants remained strong. However, political tendencies differed noticeably by generation. Kim Su-nam (83), who has sold men's clothing here for over 50 years, said, "The presidential impeachment was the right thing to do," but also claimed, "Yoon Suk-yeol got angry because he had no political experience and the opposition party kept obstructing him. The Democratic Party bears much responsibility for the martial law situation."

Yoon Kyung-ho, in his 60s and running a clothing store for 40 years, identified himself as a conservative supporter. While acknowledging, "It's natural to be impeached for wrongdoing," he showed a favorable stance toward former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo regarding the next presidential election. Yoon said, "When the country is struggling, our experienced Hong should be the presidential candidate."

Oh Chan-seop (58), who sells daily health products, said, "A president who declared martial law should naturally be impeached," but also sharply criticized, "It would be dangerous if Lee Jae-myung from the major opposition party became president." Oh, who supports Ahn Cheol-soo of the People Power Party, said, "It would be good if the primary narrows down to one pro-impeachment and one anti-impeachment candidate. After that, whoever becomes the final candidate should be supported."

Daegu is famous as a textile city. However, the fabric market I visited on the 11th was quiet with no customers. Photo by Jang Bo-kyung

Some citizens expressed dissatisfaction with the impeachment ruling. Lee Ho-seok (68), who has sold fabrics for 25 years, lamented, "How much suffering the president must have endured with no power while the Democratic Party paralyzed the government with 30 impeachment shows." Lee is eagerly awaiting news of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, acting president, running for the presidential election. Lee praised, "If Han Duck-soo runs, the conservative crisis can be overcome at once."

In a vacant store with a 'For Rent' sign, four elderly merchants gathered, chatting loudly in their distinctive Gyeongsang-do dialect. When a woman in her 70s said, "I feel very sorry about the impeachment," an 80-year-old woman next to her responded, "If Yoon Suk-yeol had returned without impeachment, it would have helped the economy more." Their voting intention remains unchanged for this election. "We obviously voted for Yoon Suk-yeol last time. No matter how unimpressive the candidates are, we will vote for the People Power Party."

Han Hyung-yeo (73), called the market's veteran for selling fabrics for 47 years, welled up with tears when talking about former President Yoon. "The left has ruined this great Republic of Korea," she said. When asked about her feelings during Yoon's impeachment, she said, "I couldn't eat or sleep all day. The merchants here were crying and in chaos."

Mr. Kim Sunam (83) has been selling men's clothing for over 50 years. He said, "The impeachment of the president was the right thing to do," but also added, "The Democratic Party bears a large responsibility for the martial law." Photo by Jang Bokyung

Among those in their 50s, many expressed support for former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. Kim Hyun-gyu (54) said, "I hope Lee Jae-myung becomes president," evaluating him as "someone who will focus on welfare for ordinary people." Choi Yoon-seop (56), a native of Daegu, said, "Political views may differ, but Daegu is too one-sided," shaking his head and adding, "The political world is exploiting this public sentiment."

Some called for cooperation. Hyun Ju-seok, who has run a shoe store in Seomun Market for over 10 years, said, "There is no hope, so I have no interest in politics or elections," adding, "When politicians come, merchants say 'business is worse than usual' and dislike it." Hyun, who is considering whether to vote in the presidential election, has only one wish for the political world.

"I want the ruling and opposition parties to cooperate and revive the economy for ordinary people. That's all I hope for."