"Was This Really a Campaign?"... The Empty Scene of Kim Moonsoo's Election Rally in Wando

Only the Campaign Vehicle Left Alone... In Stark Contrast to Lee Jaemyung
Passersby: "Disappointed in Politicians Who Only Chase Power"

At 9 a.m. on the 16th, at the five-day market intersection in Wando, Jeonnam. Although the official election campaign period was in full swing, the campaign site for Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, was filled only with silence.

Even after Kim, wearing a red top, arrived in his campaign vehicle, not a single citizen could be seen at the scene. The area in front of the campaign vehicle, set up in the middle of the market entrance, remained empty, with only the campaign music from the vehicle's speakers filling the surroundings.

In front of the five-day market intersection in Wando, Jeonnam on the 16th, there was not a single resident in front of the campaign vehicle of Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate. Photo by Lee Jungkyung

A few campaign workers, presumed to be part-time employees, cautiously performed a dance routine to the campaign song, but soon disappeared. Most of them wore black masks and appeared to be avoiding outside attention.

There were no speeches delivered through microphones, which are permitted during the official campaign period. No voices appealing for support could be heard, and merchants and passersby simply watched from a distance, arms folded, showing indifference.

One resident said, "I was curious about who was campaigning, and it turned out to be Kim Moonsoo's campaign vehicle. I have no personal feelings against Kim, but I was deeply disappointed to see him defend and support former President Yoon Sukyeol, who declared martial law." The resident added, "There is no reason to pay attention to the campaign of a politician who cares only about his own power rather than the people."

Another resident stated, "Just because this is Gwangju and Jeonnam doesn't mean we blindly support the Democratic Party anymore. However, I cannot accept politicians who justify martial law, which was used to point guns at citizens, and still claim to represent the people. I will choose someone who genuinely cares about the people and the region."

This was in stark contrast to the previous day at the same location, when Park Jie-won and supporters passionately campaigned for Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, even in the pouring rain.

After the campaign ended, only trash was left behind at the site, with not even a single promotional banner remaining, and Kim's campaign vehicle quietly departed.