[Visiting the Battleground] Seoul Songpa-byeong, "4 Years of Local Engagement" vs "A New Face Befitting Gangnam"

Seoul Songpa-byeong
Democratic Nam In-soon "Songpa Smart Girl"
United Kim Geun-sik "Towards a Premium City"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Seoul Songpa-byeong, located at the eastern end of the Hangang Belt, is considered a district where the Democratic Party of Korea holds a relative advantage despite being part of the Gangnam area. Here, Nam In-soon of the Democratic Party, who is running for a third term, faces off against Kim Geun-sik of the United Future Party.

"Assemblyman, please win, we support you!" On the afternoon of the 7th, Nam’s campaign was underway on the walking path in front of an apartment complex in Ogeum-dong, Songpa-gu. Wearing a Democratic Party baseball jacket, Nam got off the campaign vehicle after the rally and exchanged fist bumps with residents one by one. A mother who came with her two children said, "I came out because the assemblyman was campaigning, please take a photo with me," and requested a photo with Nam. Some citizens gave thumbs-up upon seeing Nam.

Photo by Jeon Jin-young

Running under the slogan "Songpa Smart Girl," Nam pledged to address local issues such as the undergrounding of the Seoul Outer Ring Expressway in Songpa and the establishment of new village bus routes. Nam has been working on this area for over four years since her time as a proportional representative. As a ruling party candidate, she emphasized the advantage in securing budgets. Nam said, "As a ruling party member of the National Assembly, I have worked for the development of Songpa and the country. I resolved major issues such as confirming the development of the Songpa ICT Cluster on the site of the Central Radio Management Office in Garak-dong," adding, "Songpa needs a strong ruling party candidate like me for its development." Regarding her opponent Kim, she said, "We cannot entrust the future of Korea and Songpa to a candidate who wavers between parties."

"Please make us prosperous like before!" On the same day, Kim campaigned at Mulbit Square in Seongnae-dong, Songpa-gu, alongside Park Hyung-joon, co-chairman of the United Future Party’s joint election committee. Supporters and citizens gathered chanted Kim’s name in response to Park’s words, "Please think of voting for me and vote for Kim Geun-sik." At the subsequent campaign at Macheon Market, residents who saw Park and Kim bought and handed out carp-shaped bread. Some shouted, "Please make us prosperous like before," while others approached saying, "I enjoyed the debate." People signaling number 2 with their fingers were also noticeable.

Photo by Kim Geun-sik Camp

Kim emphasized "Gangnam style" since the area belongs to the Gangnam district. He told Asia Economy, "Songpa still has demands for reconstruction and redevelopment," adding, "I want to rationally and swiftly promote these to create a genuine educational, residential, and cultural city worthy of Gangnam." He also said, "I volunteered to run in a tough district because from the launch of the United Future Party, I vowed not to take the easy path," and added, "Coupled with fatigue toward the Democratic Party, local residents have expectations that 'the real one has come.' Although it is an excessive evaluation, I will work diligently with humility and a low profile." Regarding his opponent, he evaluated, "She is diligent but cannot be free from responsibility for judging the administration."

Residents’ expectations were divided between "As expected, Nam In-soon" and "New face Kim Geun-sik." Yoon (47) said, "Should I call her a female leader? She has handled local matters straightforwardly and well," evaluating Nam. Park in his 50s, who also voted for Nam in the last general election, said, "She is a candidate who keeps promises such as solving school and traffic issues, so I have no worries," and added, "She is very good at securing budgets."

On the other hand, Kim (60) said, "It’s time to change the party here. I felt the need to judge the ruling party over issues like the implementation of the 52-hour workweek," and said, "Professor Kim, who is capable, should work." Lee in his 50s said, "Candidate Kim Geun-sik often comes to serve the community, and people I met say he has a good character," adding, "Isn’t he someone the party supports? I will support him."

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