[Presidential Election Public Sentiment Survey] Chungcheong: "No Really Good Candidate" Honam: "'Unconditional Democratic Party' Era is Over"

Yoon Leading in Chungnam
Undecided Voters Increase

Democratic Party Stronghold Honam
Growing Support for Yoon

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon, Chungnam Hongseong·Boryeong, Jeonnam=Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji, Chungnam Dangjin·Cheonan=Reporter Lee Myung-hwan] Following the campaign schedules of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, and Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party presidential candidate, over two days from the 22nd to 23rd, we visited Chungnam Dangjin, Cheonan, Hongseong, Boryeong, Jeonnam Mokpo, Iksan, Gwangju, and other areas to hear the grassroots public opinion. In Chungnam, a notable number of undecided voters who said they had 'not decided on a candidate' stood out, while some raised questions about Lee’s 'qualifications.' On the other hand, in Gwangju and Jeonnam, the Democratic Party’s stronghold, instead of the overwhelming support for the Democratic candidate shown by Honam citizens in the past, voices supporting Yoon, who is exploiting gaps, are growing.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆‘Son-in-law of Chungcheong’ or ‘Son of Chungcheong’? Chungcheong in Confusion

"Well, I’ve roughly decided who to vote for, but I might change my mind on the day (March 9th, election day)."

Song Min-ja (72), a self-employed person living in Hongseong, Chungnam, said, "My support for candidates goes back and forth." In Chungnam, where Yoon showed a slight lead in various opinion polls, undecided voters who said "I haven’t decided on a candidate yet" were noticeable. Park (24), a university student living in Boryeong, Chungnam, also said, "I will vote, but I haven’t decided on a candidate yet," adding, "There’s no candidate around me who is particularly good, so everyone is worried."

Chungnam was the region where votes were most evenly distributed among three candidates in the 19th presidential election: Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party (38.62%), Hong Joon-pyo of the Liberty Korea Party (24.84%), and Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party (23.51%). Although votes did not concentrate on a specific ideology or faction, until early this month, Yoon’s support rate remained in the 40% range amid the ‘regime change’ wind. Despite Yoon’s remarks on ‘additional deployment of THAAD,’ Chungnam citizens responded that "national interests come first."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Jeon Gil-young (60), who farms in Cheongyang, Chungnam, said, "If one party stays in power for a long time, it becomes stagnant and rotten. It needs to change from time to time," adding, "Whether it’s Chungcheong, Gangwon, or Gyeonggi Province, wherever it is, people in the region must understand for the sake of national security regarding THAAD deployment." Im Ji-young (pseudonym, 66), a self-employed person in Boryeong, also said, "THAAD deployment cannot be avoided," and Jeon Jae-soo (60), a missionary active in Hongseong, said, "If necessary, it should be done. Then where should it be deployed?" He emphasized, "In this election, the biggest concern is not the pledges but who will be an honest government for the people, without double standards."

However, recently, momentum has slightly declined after the failure of unification with Ahn Cheol-soo, the People’s Party presidential candidate. The razor-thin gap in support rates was also reflected in the grassroots public opinion.

Im Han-shin (41), a self-employed person met in Dangjin, praised Lee, saying, "He managed administration well since he was mayor of Seongnam," and office worker Kim (61) said, "I support him because of his achievements despite difficult adversity," showing high evaluation of Lee’s ability and performance and expressing support.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆Unsettling Stronghold Public Opinion, Not the Old Honam... Yoon’s 20% Support Is Not Impossible

The place where the atmosphere has changed the most compared to past presidential elections is Honam. In Gwangju and Jeonnam, the Democratic Party’s core areas, the overwhelming support that elected former Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun with over 90% support was not observed. Rather, it was emphasized that the People Power Party’s goal of Yoon achieving a ‘20% vote share’ might be possible, highlighting the change in Honam citizens’ consciousness. Considering that since the 1987 direct election constitutional amendment, conservative parties have never achieved double-digit vote shares in Honam, this is a noticeable change.

Jung Gap-soo (62), a self-employed person in Hwasun, Jeonnam, said, "I voted for Moon Jae-in in the last presidential election, but the mindset of voting for the Democratic Party just because it is the Democratic Party must change now." He emphasized, "There is a chance it will continue by inertia, but the achievement of 20% support for conservative parties in Honam will be a historic turning point and a foundation for political development." Yoo Hoo-sik (57), residing in Mokpo, Jeonnam, also expressed disappointment with the ruling party, saying, "The Democratic Party has become too arrogant," and "Once elected, they ignore Honam citizens as if nothing happened," adding, "We are not fooled anymore. The era of giving votes to the Democratic Party unconditionally is over."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Undecided voters who have no expectations for this election also predicted Yoon’s unexpected good performance. Seo (29), living in Suncheon, Jeonnam, said, "Conflicts have increased in the current government due to real estate issues, etc.," adding, "Regime change might give a wake-up call." Jeon (48), living in Mokpo, Jeonnam, said, "Since Lee was decided as the Democratic candidate, I lost interest in the election," and added, "I have no preferred candidate, but if the opposition works hard, won’t they achieve 20% vote share in Honam?"

However, opinions were divided depending on the supported candidate regarding the recently controversial ‘Gwangju complex shopping mall attraction’ pledged by Yoon. Lim (72), a Lee supporter in Gwangju, dismissed it as "nonsense by the opposition desperate for votes," and Lee Hak-eon (65), living in Mokpo, opposed it, saying, "There are already many shopping malls in Gwangju." However, some argued firmly, saying, "The only proper market in Gwangju is Malbau Market; we must follow the times," "It will help Honam’s development," and "It’s not something to oppose unconditionally."

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