Jeollanam-do Eastern Region: "Judgment on the Illegal Martial Law Administration... Anger and Unity Reflected in Votes"

Expression of Anger Toward People Power Party, Not Trust in Democratic Party
A Political Turning Point Likely to Continue in Next Year's Local Elections

Suncheon Haeryong-myeon Polling Station. Photo provided by reader

In the 21st presidential election, voter sentiment in the eastern region of Jeollanam-do is marked by a fervent outpouring of desire to hold the administration accountable. There is a clear backlash against the People Power Party and the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, resulting in an overwhelming political consolidation that extends beyond the region's traditional Democratic Party stronghold.

Although this election was framed as a choice between a change of administration or its continuation, the sentiment in Jeollanam-do carries a much clearer message. Analysts say that accumulated dissatisfaction with the neglect of non-capital region policies and political monopoly, including in Jeollanam-do, was fully reflected in this vote.

A man in his 40s living in Yeosu said, "We needed a decisive judgment against the administration to clearly address the illegal 12·3 Martial Law. In less than two years, people's livelihoods have been ignored, and Jeollanam-do has been completely forgotten," adding, "The presidential election was an opportunity to show that Jeollanam-do is still 'alive.'"

In reality, local voters based their decisions less on ideology or individual candidates and more on their assessment of the previous Yoon Suk-yeol administration. While Lee Jaemyung's tailored pledges for the Honam region and proposals to expand local infrastructure were helpful, the prevailing view in the local political scene is that the drive to "judge Yoon Suk-yeol" was a much stronger motivating factor.

A political commentator in Suncheon observed, "This election was less about Lee Jaemyung's victory and more about the Yoon Suk-yeol administration being held accountable. Expectations at the beginning of the administration turned into disappointment long ago, and after witnessing the absurd situation involving martial law, the pent-up emotions of the eastern region's residents erupted."

This atmosphere persisted until the very end of the election. One local voter said, "I voted for the Democratic Party to put an end to the Yoon Suk-yeol administration and the People Power Party. Farmers, fishers, and ordinary people are all in jeopardy, so we cannot entrust the administration to them any longer," raising his voice.

This presidential election also appears to mark a significant turning point for the political landscape in Jeollanam-do. A local political figure commented, "The perception that 'if it's the Democratic Party, it's an automatic vote' had been fading, but this time, voters rallied once again. However, it is important to recognize that this was not due to trust in the Democratic Party, but rather a clear expression of anger toward the People Power Party."

If this sentiment continues in the eastern region of Jeollanam-do after the presidential election, it is expected that a similar political tendency will persist in next year's local elections, which will be held one year from now, and in subsequent local elections.