[Report] "It's Too Hard to Make a Living" Jongno, the 'Political Hub', Voter Sentiment for the 'Next Year's Presidential Election'

The Key Battleground 'Jongno' Sees Diverse Changes Between Conservatives and Progressives
Civilians and Small Business Owners in Jongno Appeal, "It's Been Very Hard Due to COVID-19, Please Revive the Economy"

On the morning of the 16th, the area around Jongno-gu, Seoul, appeared quiet. Citizens met here expressed in unison that life has become very difficult due to COVID-19 and pleaded for the economy to be revived. Photo by Yoon Seul-gi, intern reporter seul97@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy reporters Han Seung-gon, Yoon Seul-gi, Kim Seo-hyun] "A president who creates jobs, helping us live well and eat well."

Citizens met in Jongno-gu, Seoul, known as the "political hotspot," identified the keywords for next year's presidential election as "economy," "jobs," and "fairness."

The reason Jongno is called the political hotspot is simple. Former Presidents Lee Myung-bak (15th general election in 1996) and Roh Moo-hyun (by-election in 1998) both passed through Jongno before establishing themselves as presidential candidates and entering the Blue House.

Also, although Jongno has traditionally been considered a conservative stronghold, there is a view that it is a progressive voter base as former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun won in Jongno in both the 19th and 20th National Assembly elections. The ruling party’s leading presidential candidate, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, also represents Jongno.

As such, the variable in Jongno’s public sentiment, where conservative and progressive ideologies clash, is undoubtedly COVID-19. Citizens met around Jongno unanimously emphasized the "economy." It is a kind of plea to revive livelihoods that have become difficult due to COVID-19.

◆ "It's so hard to make a living... Please solve this somehow"

Mr. Jeong, in his 60s, who said he has been running a retail business around Nakwon Arcade for 40 years, emphasized that jobs are the most important issue in the presidential election. He said, "Sales have plummeted since COVID-19," adding, "The economic sentiment is so bad that I am watching presidential candidates who can solve this."

An elderly man in his 80s met at Tapgol Park also emphasized the "economy." He said, "Prices have risen too much," and criticized, "Trust in politics, which is all talk and no action, has collapsed."

In particular, he appealed, "Policies are too focused on youth support," and asked, "Please consider the lives of the elderly as well." He added, "Once you pass a certain age, it becomes impossible to work."

Criticism of political controversy surrounding disaster relief funds also continued. Mr. Park, in his 70s, said, "Money should be spent for the people. Disaster relief funds should be paid quickly without delaying the dates back and forth."

Tapgol Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The elderly people met that day emphasized the need for trustworthy politics. Photo by Yoon Seul-gi, intern reporter seul97@asiae.co.kr

◆ "I wish they would show trustworthy politics..."

Various opinions were also expressed about former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl and former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung running for president. Mr. Kim (63), who said he runs a sign-making business, said, "The most important value I look for in the presidential election is fairness," adding, "I do not look favorably on heads of investigative agencies going straight to the presidency."

However, he said, "Yoon’s strong criticism of the Moon Jae-in government is natural because their political lines differ," and criticized, "The extreme polarized factional logic and factional fights are exhausting, like a 'war without guns.'" He added, "For the peace of the people, I hope corrupt politicians disappear."

Mr. Lee (70), who runs a musical instrument store, said, "The most important thing I look for in the presidential election is, of course, the economy," adding, "Disaster relief funds do not seem like a populist handout." He continued, "Social distancing policies should be reconsidered," and said, "It is wrong to regulate only restaurants without regulating places where many people gather, such as subways. It is a difficult time as a small business owner."

A citizen in his 50s, Mr. Kim, said, "It is not a problem if Yoon Seok-youl or Choi Jae-hyung run directly as presidential candidates without going through primaries. It’s like taking the KTX; it doesn’t matter." Regarding Yoon’s lack of political experience, he added, "As long as he manages personnel well, there should be no problem."

On the morning of the 16th, the Jongno-gu area in Seoul is showing a quiet scene. Photo by Seulgi Yoon, intern reporter seul97@asiae.co.kr

There were also opinions that a variety of minimum wage systems should be introduced for self-employed people. Mr. Lee, in his 40s, said, "In this presidential election, 'economy' and 'fairness' seem to be the two most important things," adding, "Sales have dropped too much since COVID-19."

He continued, "Issues such as housing prices, wages, and working hour restrictions need to be resolved." He also emphasized, "It is right that the minimum wage should rise, but everyone is struggling due to COVID-19, so measures for self-employed people are necessary." He added, "We need to get vaccinated quickly and restore daily life to what it was before COVID-19."

A security guard in his 60s criticized politicians for causing distrust themselves. He said, "I have been deceived and cheated by politicians more than once," raising his voice, "They do not take responsibility for their words and lie repeatedly." He added, "My younger siblings have not yet been vaccinated," and said, "I hope the vaccine supply situation is disclosed more properly."

As public interest in next year’s presidential election grows, both ruling and opposition parties are accelerating practical work to nominate presidential candidates. The People Power Party plans to narrow down the opposition presidential candidates to eight through the first cut-off and then to four through the second cut-off.

The Democratic Party of Korea is leaning toward postponing the presidential primary schedule and plans to make a decision on the 19th. Democratic Party spokesperson Lee So-young said, "We are gathering opinions centered on the election commission, and after reporting the collected opinions to the Supreme Council on Monday (19th), we will discuss it."

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