[Going to the Battleground] Chaotic Public Sentiment in Chungnam "We Gotta Go Vote"

Chungnam Gongju, Buyeo, Cheongyang
Democratic Park Suhyun · United Jin Seok Jeong
Return Match Showdown After 4 Years

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] "The election? Whoever wins, wins. Both candidates seem fine, so I plan to decide on election day."

Park Suhyun, the Democratic Party candidate, is campaigning in front of Cheongyang Market in Cheongyang-eup, Cheongyang-gun, Chungnam on the 7th. Photo by Ki Ho-yo

Park Suhyun of the Democratic Party of Korea and Jeong Jinseok of the United Future Party are engaged in a fierce 'return match' after four years in Chungnam Gongju-Buyeo-Cheongyang, which is considered the biggest battleground in the Chungcheong region and one of the top 10 key electoral districts nationwide. The local sentiment we directly encountered was as uncertain as the intense election battle between the two candidates. Both parties are putting all their efforts into this race, believing that the outcome here will determine the public sentiment across Chungnam's entire 11 seats.

On the 7th, at Cheongyang Market in Cheongyang-eup, Cheongyang-gun, Chungnam, candidate Park said, "When I travel around the district, the support and enthusiasm are so high that it feels awkward and even frightening," adding, "The atmosphere is the best among all the elections I have run so far." The campaign scene was as heated as Park described. Although the market was closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak despite it being a market day on the 5th, supporters and voters flocked to see Park, who was campaigning in Cheongyang for the first time, giving a sense of momentum.

Candidate Jeong was also popular. At the town intersection early in the morning greeting commuters, Jeong said, "Gongju-Buyeo-Cheongyang is a district where over 45% of the population is aged 60 or older," and added, "Wherever I go, I sense the public sentiment that this election deserves a disciplinary action." Jeong's campaign, which immediately followed Park's at the same location, also attracted a large crowd.

During the campaign, Park raised his voice asking to stop the smear campaigns against him. He said, "When I initially conducted a quiet campaign, rumors spread that I had contracted COVID-19," emphasizing, "I even took a test to prove it and received a negative result." He particularly expressed frustration regarding personal matters. He said, "Recently, false rumors about an affair involving me have been circulating," paused briefly, looked at his spouse standing by the campaign vehicle, and with a choked voice emphasized, "I am married. Although there have been some ups and downs, I am more honorable than anyone else."

Jeong Jin-seok, the candidate of the United Future Party, is campaigning in front of Cheongyang Market in Cheongyang-eup, Cheongyang-gun, Chungnam on the 7th. Photo by Ki Ho-yo

Candidate Jeong stressed that as Chungnam's longest-serving (four-term) representative, his election is necessary to prevent Chungcheong from being further marginalized in central politics. He said, "Chungcheong has raised me to four terms. If I am elected this time and the public desires it, I will challenge for party leader and National Assembly Speaker to continue the Chungcheong grand vision," emphasizing, "For Chungnam's development, a senior lawmaker who can exert influence in central politics must be elected."

The local sentiment was as difficult to read as the tight race between the two candidates. A man in his 70s met in front of Gungnam Elementary School in Buyeo-gun explained, "Park is advantageous in Gongju, and Jeong is advantageous in Buyeo and Cheongyang," adding, "But since independent candidate Kim Geuntae is from Buyeo, it is hard to predict easily."

A woman in her 50s met in front of Gyodong Catholic Church in Gongju City said when asked about her preferred candidate, "People here don't easily reveal their true feelings," and added, "The candidates' pledges are quite similar, so I am still undecided."

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