[Going to the Battlefield] Is It a Bold Youngster or an Experienced Veteran... Who Will Win the Gold Badge in Dongdaemun?

Young Candidate Jang Kyung-tae vs Veteran Lee Hye-hoon vs Incumbent Min Byung-doo

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Dongdaemun-eul, which includes Jeonnong-dong, Dapsimni-dong, and Jangan-dong, is well known as an area with strong conservative support. However, with the establishment of Jeonnong-dong and Dapsimni New Towns and the large influx of progressive-leaning '2030 generation,' it is expected to emerge as a new battleground in this Seoul election. Which side will Dongdaemun's public sentiment favor among the Democratic Party's young candidate Jang Kyung-tae, the United Future Party's three-term veteran Lee Hye-hoon, and the incumbent independent Min Byung-doo, formerly of the Democratic Party?

On the afternoon of the 6th, while campaigning at the intersection in front of Sindap Station, candidate Jang said, "This general election is not a fight between Jang Kyung-tae and Lee Hye-hoon. It is a fight between the Candlelight Government and those opposing it, and a fight to overcome national difficulties," adding, "It should not be seen as a personal competition, which is regrettable."

The Democratic Party designated Dongdaemun-eul as a youth-priority strategic electoral district. As a result, candidate Min, who was cut off (excluded from nomination), ran as an independent. Jang, a former president of the Seoul City University student council and former national youth nomination committee chair, is well known as a 'talent nurtured by the party.' However, he lacks political experience compared to the two incumbent lawmakers.

To differentiate himself from the existing candidates, Jang proposed pledges related to the 4th Industrial Revolution and job creation. He said, "I want to extend the Bundang Line to establish Jeonnong Station and Jangan Station, attract cultural multiplexes like Netflix, and foster a mobility cluster utilizing the many tuning companies in Jangan-dong," adding, "Rather than repeating redevelopment and high school establishment pledges that have failed over the past decade, I want to find new methods."

On the morning of the 7th, I met candidate Lee at the campaign site near Cheongnyangni Station. She raised her voice to solve the area's educational issues with the heart of a mother raising three sons. Lee said, "Many people moving to this area are parents, but there is no boys' high school, causing difficulties for their children's commuting," adding, "Is it reasonable that a neighborhood with 110,000 residents has no boys' high school?"

She mentioned her past success in relocating a high school in Jamwon-dong, saying, "The education office is reluctant to establish new schools in an aging society, but it must adhere to improving students' commuting conditions and the principle of equal distribution among regions," adding, "I pointed this out and succeeded in relocating a high school in Jamwon-dong, and I will achieve the same here with that logic."

Candidate Min is appealing for support, stating he will complete the policies he has been promoting. His pledges include the Metropolitan Area Express Train (GTX), Myeonmok Light Rail, Gangbuk Transversal Line, undergrounding of the Dongbu arterial road, and establishment of the Seoul Representative Library.

Local public sentiment is divided. A woman in her 50s, a Democratic Party member met in front of Sindap Station, said, "Candidate Jang is a young and capable talent," expressing her firm support. Another woman in her 80s said, "I will vote for candidate Lee, number 2," adding, "I have no clear partisan preference, but she seems good when I look at her." A woman in her 60s near Jeonnong-dong said, "I have supported the Democratic Party so far, but number 1 is too young, and hasn't candidate Min done well so far?" adding, "I want to give him another chance."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.