[Report] "Ruling Party Can't Dominate" vs. "Younger People Are Different"… Changwon Public Opinion Split in Half

Changwon Accounts for One-Third of Gyeongnam's Population
Polls Show a Tight and Unpredictable Race
Kim Kyungsoo and Park Wansoo Locked in a Neck-and-Neck Contest
Candidate Support Splits Along Generational Lines

"Here, it's all about number 2."

On the 14th, at Kalguksu Street in Bansong Market, Changwon, Gyeongnam. As soon as noon passed, every noodle restaurant in the alley quickly filled up. The hands scooping out boiled noodles and clearing empty bowls moved busily. Ms. Cha, a woman in her 70s who was serving noodles, gestured broadly down the market alley and said, "We are completely conservative here." Resting her arm on the reporter's table, she continued, "Kim Kyungsoo was just released from prison, wasn't he? Isn't he a criminal? The Democratic Party is also trying to change everything as they please, so there needs to be some balance to stop things like that."

In contrast, Ms. Song (44), who was shopping at a produce store in Bansong Market that same day, said firmly, "That’s not at all the case for the younger generation. While the older generation may lean that way, it’s completely different for ours. Among the people around me, almost everyone supports Kim Kyungsoo. Shouldn't we elect someone who is competent? Even though Governor Park Wansoo served as Changwon's mayor for a long time, there aren’t many people who think he did a good job. He was mayor for years, but it’s hard to see what actually changed."

On the 14th, citizens are browsing items at Sangnam Market in Changwon, Gyeongnam. Photo by Lee Sungmin

With about 20 days remaining until the 9th nationwide local elections, voter sentiment in Gyeongnam is sharply divided along generational lines. The gubernatorial race in Gyeongnam is a showdown between Kim Kyungsoo, the Democratic Party candidate, and Park Wansoo, the People Power Party candidate, who are both former and current governors. Although the region has traditionally leaned conservative, the race has become extremely tight as the Democratic Party has set its sights on Gyeongnam as a key battleground following the change in government. In particular, Changwon, which accounts for a third of Gyeongnam's population, is emerging as the decisive battleground in this election. Its manufacturing-based industrial structure, large working-class population, dense business districts run by self-employed people, and the coexistence of both elderly and young residents have led to pronounced divisions in voting preferences by generation and occupation, even within this conservative stronghold.

This generational split is also reflected in public opinion polls. According to a survey conducted by Mono Research on behalf of the Gyeongnam Shinmun on May 1-2, targeting 1,000 residents of Gyeongnam aged 18 or older, Kim received 41.9%, while Park received 44.1%, indicating a close contest within the margin of error (for more details, refer to the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission website).

On the 14th, citizens are having lunch at a restaurant in Kalguksu Street, Bansong Market, Changwon, Gyeongnam. Photo by Lee Sungmin

Among the older generation interviewed at the scene, most expressed support for the People Power Party. Mr. Park (74), whom we met in Sangnam-dong, said, "You can't vote for the Democratic Party. They're on a rampage right now, doing only bad things," adding, "We're already saddled with debt, and they're just doing these things to win votes." Lee Jaesook (75), who runs a repair shop in Sangnam Market, also said, "We all support the People Power Party. The Democratic Party does whatever they want, so there needs to be some checks and balances."

Mr. Yoon (56), who has lived in Changwon for over 40 years, said, "Honestly, I dislike both the Democratic Party and the People Power Party." He continued, "The People Power Party is divided, so there’s hardly anyone I can trust, but the Democratic Party’s dominance is just too much. There needs to be some restraint. I don't want to vote for either, but still, I can't vote for the Democratic Party."

On the 14th, citizens are passing by Bansong Market in Changwon, Gyeongnam. Photo by Lee Sungmin

Unlike the conservative solidarity among the older generation, younger voters in their 40s and below showed different sentiments. Mr. Jung (42) from Masan said, "Kim Kyungsoo didn't finish his term, so it feels like he didn't accomplish much. Even though Park Wansoo completed his term, I’m not sure he was effective. The subway connecting Busan and Masan hasn’t materialized, and there haven’t been any notable achievements." Park Jongjin (40), who sells fish cakes in Bansong Market, said, "Here in Changwon, public sentiment is split. Still, some people believe that electing the ruling party's candidate will help secure more funding."

Lee Jiyong (26), whom we met in downtown Sangnam-dong, said, "When I vote, I do some research on the candidates, but there are too many people who just vote based on the party. My single vote feels so insignificant among the masses that sometimes it seems pointless. Sometimes, I think it’s better not to vote at all than to vote half-heartedly."

The election offices of Kim Kyung-soo, Democratic Party candidate for Governor of Gyeongnam Province, and Park Wan-soo, People Power Party candidate for Governor of Gyeongnam Province, located in Seongsan District, Changwon, Gyeongnam, are about a 10-minute walk apart. Photo by Lee Sung-min

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