[Interview] Choi Jae-hyung "Emotions Gained from Clashing with the People Are Precious Political Assets"

3·9 By-election Candidate Interview
Housing Pledges on Reconstruction and Redevelopment
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On the 3rd, Choi Jae-hyung, the People Power Party candidate running in the March 9 Seoul Jongno by-election, is being interviewed at the election situation room located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] On the 9th, the presidential election day, by-elections for five National Assembly constituencies nationwide will also be held simultaneously. Although attention is focused on the presidential election, each candidate is fighting desperately to win their constituency. Jongno, known as the "political first district," has been highlighted as a key battleground. It was expected to be a major showdown between running-mate-level candidates from both the Democratic Party and the People Power Party. However, with the Democratic Party confirming no nomination, the initially anticipated "grand battle" did not materialize.

Due to the political sphere's full focus on the presidential election, no opinion polls have been conducted in Jongno. Currently, ten candidates, including Choi Jae-hyung of the People Power Party, Bae Bok-ju of the Justice Party, Kim Do-yeon of the Transition Korea Party, Song Moon-hee of the New Wave Party, and Kim Young-jong as an independent, are competing fiercely.

On the 3rd, Choi Jae-hyung, whom I met at his election camp, said in an interview with Asia Economy, "The public sentiment is fundamentally rooted in the disappointment with the five years of the Moon Jae-in administration and the desire for a regime change." He added, "In the case of Jongno, the Democratic Party has held the National Assembly and district mayor positions for over ten years, but there is dissatisfaction that nothing has changed. I can feel the voices saying it’s time for some change."

Having entered politics by joining the People Power Party's presidential primary, he is now canvassing neighborhoods and meeting citizens in this by-election. Choi said, "If I had jumped straight into the presidential race, I wouldn’t have had this experience," and added, "These feelings gained from directly engaging with the people are a valuable asset for me as a politician going forward."

Regarding local pledges, Choi said, "In Jongno, urban regeneration projects have been pushed too aggressively, and many areas have not seen improvements in residents' living environments." He stated, "From the perspective of improving residential conditions, I will promote redevelopment and reconstruction more actively." He also mentioned, "Because of urban regeneration, some areas have been left as they are, making it difficult for fire trucks to enter, many elderly people live there, and there are security concerns that need to be addressed."

About his future political plans, he said, "Politics is about winning the hearts of the people," and added, "If I cannot win the hearts of the residents of Jongno, I believe I cannot win the hearts of the nation." He concluded, "If I start my political career in Jongno, it will ultimately end in Jongno as well."

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