[Report] "Lee Jae Myung? The response is good"... Changing Atmosphere in Inje, Gangwon, Where Yoon Once Won

Lee Visits Wontong Traditional Market in Inje, Gangwon
"Business has stalled since martial law... Conservative sentiment is changing"
Local residents want only one thing: economic recovery

"Candidate Lee Jae Myung? The response is good. Inje used to be a conservative stronghold, but these days it feels different."

On the afternoon of May 2, at Wontong Traditional Market in Inje County, Gangwon Province, where Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, visited. Kim Soonhwa (61, female), who runs a rice cake shop here, responded this way when asked about Inje County's reaction to Lee. Kim said, "Business has been terrible since the Yoon Suk Yeol administration," and added, "After the martial law, it got even worse..." trailing off at the end. As Kim described, the Wontong Market, which had been packed with Lee, his supporters, and local residents, quickly became empty after the crowd dispersed.

Yonhap News

Gangwon Province, which includes border areas, supported former President Yoon Suk Yeol over then-candidate Lee Jae Myung in the 20th presidential election. Lee received 41.72% of the votes in Gangwon (419,644 votes), losing to Yoon, who garnered 54.18% (544,980 votes). In Inje County as well, Lee received a similar 41.59% (8,937 votes), trailing Yoon, who received 53.94% (11,591 votes), by more than 10 percentage points.

Local residents predicted that, due to the stagnant economy under the Yoon administration, the Democratic Party would win their votes this time. While Lee mingled with residents and merchants, shaking hands and taking photos, the atmosphere remained friendly and without conflict. Ji (62, female), a resident visiting a friend's store, said, "A lot has changed since the martial law," and added, "Previously, only young people supported the progressives and most support went to the conservatives, but now the atmosphere is very different." Ji emphasized, "The economy is dead, restaurants are struggling, and after the martial law was declared, it has really felt lifeless. Even just looking around here, people don't have money to spend." Park Yeju (31, male), the owner of the rice cake shop, also said, "Sales have dropped to about 10% compared to last year."

On the afternoon of the 2nd, Wontong Market in Inje County, Gangwon Province. Local residents are watching candidate Lee Jae Myung and the crowd from a distance right after Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, visited the area.
Photo by Hwang Seoyul chestnut@

The only thing locals wanted from the presidential candidates was 'economic recovery.' Park Suhee (62, female), who runs both a coffee bean and wedding business, said, "We need a country where children can be raised properly and comfortably. With the economy struggling, neither marriage nor childbirth is happening as it should." Park also said, "I hope efforts will be made to revive the market. With some stores vacant, the market feels even more depressed."

There were also calls to further expand local currency policies such as regional gift certificates. On this day, Lee was seen purchasing soybean powder and wild greens with Inje County's local currency. Kim added, "The Yoon administration drastically cut support for local currency in the budget. When local currency is supplied, people try to use it up, which really helps the market."

Meanwhile, at Wontong Market, Lee said, "Border areas have suffered greatly for the sake of South Korea's security. For regions or people who have made special sacrifices, our community must provide special compensation if we are to have a truly fair society."

Currently on his 'Listening Tour in Every Alley' to hear public opinion, Lee plans to visit the border belt (Gyeonggi and Gangwon) on May 1-2, the East Coast belt (Sokcho, Yangyang, Gangneung, Donghae, Samcheok, Taebaek in Gangwon) on May 3, and the Danyang Palgyeong belt (Yeongju and Yecheon in North Gyeongsang, Danyang in North Chungcheong, Yeongwol in Gangwon, and Jecheon in North Chungcheong) on May 4.