[21st General Election] Chronic Problem in Korean Politics... Deepening Yeonghonam Regional Divide

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Lee In-young, floor leader, and Woo Hee-jong, election committee chairman of the Together Citizens' Party, are placing election winner stickers on the elected candidates at the comprehensive vote counting situation room set up in the National Assembly on the 15th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] In the 21st general election, concerns have been raised that the chronic problem of regionalism in Korean politics has deepened once again. This is due to the concentration of the Democratic Party of Korea and the United Future Party in Honam and Yeongnam regions, respectively. While the Democratic Party achieved an overwhelming victory in the metropolitan area, it struggled in areas related to the 'real estate barometer' such as the Gangnam 3 districts (Gangnam, Seocho, Songpa), Yongsan, and Bundang in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.

According to the vote count results from the Central Election Commission on the 16th, the Democratic Party won in 27 out of 28 constituencies in Honam, except for the independent candidate Lee Yong-ho (Jeonbuk Namwon, Imsil, Sunchang). This represents an additional 24 seats compared to the 20th general election, where the People's Party wave secured only 3 seats. In the 20th general election, the election of Saenuri Party (the predecessor of the United Future Party) candidates Lee Jung-hyun (Jeonnam Suncheon) and Jung Woon-chun (Jeonbuk Jeonju-eul) hinted at a softening of regionalism, but in this election, the United Future Party recorded zero seats in Honam.

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, is seen at the comprehensive vote counting situation room set up in the National Assembly on the 15th, expressing his intention to resign from the party leadership to take responsibility for the election results, and greeting candidate Kwon Young-se. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the other hand, candidates from the United Future Party virtually swept Daegu and Gyeongbuk. In the 20th general election, Democratic Party candidate Kim Boo-kyum (Daegu Suseong-gap) and independent candidate Hong Ui-rak, who leaned towards the Democratic Party (Daegu Buk-gu-eul), were elected in Daegu, which was seen as a spark for easing regionalism. However, both lost in this election. The United Future Party won in 11 out of 12 constituencies in Daegu. The remaining seat was won by independent candidate Hong Joon-pyo (former leader of the Liberty Korea Party). This means the United Future Party effectively dominated the entire Daegu region politically.

In Gyeongbuk, the United Future Party planted its flag in all 13 constituencies. The Democratic Party struggled in Busan, President Moon Jae-in's political hometown, securing only 3 seats after a tough fight. Among the six incumbent lawmakers in Busan, only Nam-gu-eul (Park Jae-ho), Bukgangseo-gap (Jeon Jae-soo), and Sahagap (Choi In-ho) survived. In Gyeongnam, candidates Kim Du-kwan (Yangsan-eul), Min Hong-chul (Gimhae-gap), and Kim Jung-ho (Gimhae-eul) won, but other areas confirmed the high barrier of regionalism.

In Seoul, where the Democratic Party won 42 out of 49 constituencies, the so-called 'Gangnam belt' including Gangnam, Seocho, and Songpa showed a strong United Future Party presence. Yongsan was also won by United Future Party candidate Kwon Young-se. In Gyeonggi Province, where Democratic Party candidates won 52 out of 59 constituencies, the ruling party struggled in areas affected by real estate issues. In Seongnam Bundang-gap, Gyeonggi, United Future Party candidate Kim Eun-hye was elected. Yongin-gap was also won by United Future Party candidate Jung Chan-min.

Meanwhile, Incheon, where the influence of regionalism is relatively weaker, saw a landslide victory for the Democratic Party. In the 21st general election, the Democratic Party lost only in Jung-gu, Ganghwa, Ongjin, Dong-gu, and Michuhol constituencies out of 13 in Incheon, winning in 11. This is a stark contrast to the recent two general elections where the Democratic Party and the United Future Party shared seats almost evenly.

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