Andong Voters in Lee's Hometown: "Even Conservative Confucian Scholars Support Him" vs. "Still Firmly Conservative" [Report]

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Unified Criticism of People Power Party's Candidate Merger:
"An Unthinkable Act"

"Setting aside the fact that he is from my hometown, he has extensive administrative and political experience."

On May 11, at Gusi Market in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, a 73-year-old man surnamed Hwang shared his thoughts about Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate. Hwang, who sells clothing at the market, is a former member of the People Power Party. However, after experiencing the 12·3 Martial Law Incident and the turmoil over the replacement of the People Power Party's presidential candidate, he has become deeply conflicted. This presidential election is notable because all major party candidates are based in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) region. Lee Jaemyung is originally from Andong, while Kim Moonsu, the People Power Party's candidate, is from Yeongcheon. Lee Joonseok, the Reform New Party candidate, was born in Seoul but his family registry is in Daegu.

Signs of change are emerging in the TK region, which has traditionally been considered a conservative stronghold. In particular, Andong, the hometown of Lee Jaemyung, is drawing the most attention. In the 20th presidential election, former President Yoon Sukyeol received 71,880 votes (67.84%), while Lee Jaemyung received 30,870 votes (29.13%). The Democratic Party aims to generate momentum from Andong and achieve a 30% vote share in the TK region. Of the more than ten citizens interviewed in Andong that day, over half said they would "vote for the person, not the party" or expressed disappointment in the conservative bloc during the martial law period.

Gusi Market is the original downtown area of Andong, famous for its Jjimdak alley. On the 11th, just 23 days before the presidential election, voices calling for a regime change and those hoping for the continuation of the current administration clashed in this place.

Hwang asked, "Why else would even the most conservative of the conservatives, the Confucian scholars, support Lee Jaemyung?" On May 9, around 50 Confucian scholars in Andong publicly declared their support for Lee Jaemyung. This is not unrelated to the fact that the People Power Party has acted contrary to the expectations of its conservative base.

Park, a woman in her 70s who sells fruit, praised Kim Moonsu as an intelligent conservative candidate in a gathering with other merchants, but later confided her true feelings. "You can't talk about politics in the market," she whispered when asked about her preferred candidate, "but I support Lee Jaemyung." She added, "Many people support Lee Jaemyung in their hearts but don't say it out loud. Even my older sister, who is in her 80s, said she would vote for Lee Jaemyung this time."

The 'Cultural Street' in front of Andong Station is a bustling area frequented by both locals and tourists. As lunchtime approached, visitors began to gather here.

Andong Okdong is a popular hotspot with a developed commercial district, attracting not only young people but also families. After lunchtime, the streets were quiet.

After a 30-minute bus ride from Gusi Market, Okdong appeared?a place known as a youth hotspot in Andong. In this area, packed with residential buildings and popular restaurants, a 27-year-old surnamed Shin said, "Why should we vote for the party that imposed martial law?" and concluded, "This presidential race is already decided."

While criticism of the People Power Party is evident among younger people, the region's conservative nature cannot be ignored. Lee Jongpil, 61, who has run a general store for 37 years, stated firmly, "Still, Andong is conservative." He added, "If Lee Jaemyung becomes president, how will we handle it? Is a country where a Supreme Court justice can be impeached really a proper country?"

A mandu shop owner in her 60s, who declined to give her name, also showed hostility toward Lee Jaemyung, saying, "Even in the civil service exam for a Grade 9 position, a criminal record is grounds for disqualification. How could it be any different for the presidency?" A customer leaving the shop with both hands full of dumplings chimed in, "Lee Jaemyung should be imprisoned." However, even they criticized the People Power Party's process of unifying its presidential candidates. "Changing the candidate overnight is no different from stealing in a place with no owner in the middle of the night."