"Volunteering?"... Contrasting Scenes Between Democratic Party and People Power Party

Sejong City Council Members Attend the Festival in Formal Attire
and Council Member Badges

Local political figures attending the Jochiwon Peach Festival. The photo above shows a Democratic Party Sejong City Council member, and below is a People Power Party Sejong City Council member.

The Jochiwon Peach Festival, a representative local event held in the northern central area of Sejong City, specifically in Jochiwon-eup, concluded on July 27 after running for three days starting from July 25. Despite the scorching weather, with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius during the festival period, a considerable crowd gathered. Local council members from both the ruling and opposition parties attended the festival site and participated in volunteer activities.

However, the attitudes of those engaging in volunteer work differed significantly between the two parties. Lawmakers from the People Power Party wore comfortable clothing and work gloves typically used at construction sites as they participated in environmental cleanup activities, such as picking up trash. In contrast, except for one or two individuals, most Democratic Party lawmakers who attended the festival wore formal attire and were seen volunteering in their outdoor clothes.

Some of these lawmakers were seen taking selfies with citizens and engaging in activities that appeared to be for show, which drew criticism from onlookers.

In particular, there has been criticism that these lawmakers promoted their volunteer work at the festival while wearing their council member badges, leading to the perception that their selfies were merely for show. This has raised questions about the sincerity of their actions.

An official from the Peach Festival stated, "We appreciate the lawmakers visiting the event, but it is true that some of them dressed so formally that they appeared authoritative." The official added, "I wondered whether it was necessary for them to wear their council member badges, and in one case, a lawmaker even wore a name tag identifying themselves as a city council member." The official further commented, "At a festival meant to bring residents together, their authoritative and uncomfortable attire stood out."