In Gwangju, 'Finger Heart' Kim Jong-in... Can He Win Honam's Support?

Kim Jong-in, Who Kneeled in Gwangju, Heads Back to Gwangju After Two Months
Move to Win Honam Public Support for By-Election and 2022 Presidential Election
Experts Say "If Genuine, It Could Be Effective"

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party (center front row), and Honam accompanying lawmakers are making a 'finger heart' gesture for a commemorative photo on the morning of the 3rd at the Gwangju City Council main conference room before holding a policy consultation meeting with Gwangju basic local government heads. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy reporters Han Seung-gon and Kim Seul-gi] Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, visited Gwangju Metropolitan City to win the hearts of the Honam region voters, keeping in mind the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections scheduled for April next year.

As a result, concerns have arisen in some quarters that the party’s support base in TK (Daegu and Gyeongbuk) might be shaken. There is worry that focusing on Honam could lead to a split among the so-called 'jittoek' (core supporters).

On the 3rd, Chairman Kim attended the 91st Student Independence Movement Commemoration Ceremony held in front of the Student Independence Movement Memorial Tower in Seo-gu, Gwangju. This was about two months after he knelt and apologized at the Gwangju 5·18 Cemetery on August 19. On that day, Chairman Kim shook hands with Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop, and others, then sang the national anthem and shouted three cheers for victory according to the ceremony schedule.

On the same day, Chairman Kim also attended a policy consultation meeting held at the Gwangju City Council, where he took commemorative photos with Gwangju Deputy Mayor Kim Jong-hyo and others, even making a 'finger heart' gesture.

Chairman Kim’s 'Honam love call' appears to reflect his judgment that winning the hearts of the Honam region is essential to securing victory in next year’s Seoul mayoral by-election and, more broadly, the 2022 presidential election.

On that day, Chairman Kim openly expressed his affection for Honam. At the policy consultation meeting, he emphasized, "Our party has deep interest and affection to help the Honam region grow and develop further. We will show this through actions and practice."

He added, "Honam was a nationally important region, accounting for half of the country’s grain tax until the Joseon Dynasty. It is now emerging as a global advanced city leading the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with economic, social, and cultural traditions embedded in the Honam region," signaling his efforts to win over Honam voters.

He continued, "I expect the Honam-affiliated lawmakers who joined today to consider Gwangju as their second hometown and to make great efforts in budget support, policy development, and regional development," once again expressing his affection for Honam.

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is performing the three cheers for victory with attendees at the 91st Student Independence Movement Commemoration Ceremony held at the Student Independence Movement Memorial Tower in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City on the 3rd. Photo by Yonhap News

However, some express concerns that Chairman Kim’s actions could shake the TK voter base, which has long been a support foundation for the People Power Party.

A survey conducted by Korea Gallup from the 27th to 29th of last month targeting 1,101 adults nationwide showed that the support rate for the Democratic Party in TK was 34%, while the People Power Party stood at 30%.

With a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points. For other details, refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.

As the conservative stronghold of TK’s support rate fell behind the Democratic Party, dissatisfaction with Chairman Kim’s actions has been voiced both inside and outside the camp.

Former Gyeonggi Governor Kim Moon-soo criticized on his Facebook on the 2nd, saying, "Bringing in Kim Jong-in from Honam and serving as the Democratic Party’s second squad diligently is happening. The liberal democratic system is collapsing, but the struggle to protect the system is being labeled as far-right, which does not align with the Daegu and Gyeongbuk sentiment that defended the Nakdong River front. The only solution is to get rid of Kim Jong-in."

Independent lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo also posted on his Facebook on the 3rd, "Do you think the Honam people in Seoul will immediately return to our party in the by-election just because we hurriedly made efforts in Honam? Despite the unprecedented situation where the Democratic Party leads with 34% and our party trails at 30% in TK, our largest support region, we are leisurely begging for votes in Honam, where there is no by-election. This is truly a spectacle ahead of the by-election," sharply criticizing the move.

Amid concerns over the defection of TK supporters, the People Power Party has resumed efforts to manage its approval ratings. On the 3rd, Joo Ho-young, the party’s floor leader, said at the Daegu City Hall during the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Budget Policy Council, "Daegu and Gyeongbuk have played a major role as a strong pillar supporting Korean conservatism and have a unique sense of ownership toward our society and country. We will strive to become a strong support for Daegu and Gyeongbuk, which are a solid strength for the People Power Party."

Experts foresee that if Chairman Kim’s efforts to win Honam voters show sincerity, they will be effective.

Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said, "The effectiveness of Chairman Kim’s Honam visit depends on how much sincerity he shows. Chairman Kim believes that it will be difficult to come to power without regaining Honam’s support, and that is why he is taking such actions. This is essentially the People Power Party’s 'Honam presidential card.' The upcoming by-election has become a strong prelude to the presidential election. Therefore, Chairman Kim’s analysis that winning Honam’s support will also gain the support of many Honam natives in the metropolitan and Chungcheong regions is reflected in his actions," he analyzed.

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