[Column] People Power Party's Jeju Governor Candidate Needs a 'Jutjalssa' Approach

Published 20 Apr.2022 16:27(KST)

When analyzing the historical election trends in Jeju Island, the results of the presidential election last March, and various opinion poll approval ratings, the consensus is that the People Power Party (PPP) is at a disadvantage in the upcoming Jeju Governor election. Amid this, the PPP's Jeju Governor candidate primary election, scheduled from tomorrow until the 22nd, is drawing attention.

The conservative camp has not succeeded in electing a member of the National Assembly in Jeju for over 20 years. In the last local election, only one seat was won out of 31 provincial council constituencies, and in the 20th presidential election, the Democratic Party held the lead in all constituencies except Daejeong, Seongsan, and Pyoseon. In total votes, the Democratic Party secured 52%, while the PPP garnered 42%.

If the PPP suffers a complete defeat in this local election as well, the political landscape of Jeju is expected to become dominated by the progressive camp as the single ruling party.

Just as the economic indicators of Daegu-Gyeongbuk and Honam regions have been subjects of many studies due to the impact of political bias on the economy, concerns are also being expressed within Jeju’s political circles about the political polarization phenomenon in Jeju.

It is said that the first factor in elections is the electoral district configuration, the second is momentum and wave, and the third is the candidate’s character. This underscores how crucial political dynamics and momentum are.

Among these three factors, the PPP’s Jeju Governor election is at such a disadvantage that none can be said to be ahead of the Democratic Party. Therefore, there is a growing public opinion within the conservative support base that a special election strategy is necessary.

Even if the PPP loses the Jeju Governor election, a candidate who can fight well is needed, and the gubernatorial candidate should make efforts to get as many provincial council members elected as possible through a partner-like self-sacrifice rather than personal political gain.

In the last local election, the Democratic Party, with a near-monopoly majority in the provincial council, checked and balanced the administration of former Governor Won Hee-ryong. If the Democratic Party monopolizes both the Jeju Governor position and the provincial council in this election, the healthy checks and balances between the executive and the council that have been seen in Jeju so far may collapse.

Jeju Provincial Council, as a special self-governing province council, holds several independent powers, including budgetary authority except for foreign affairs and security, making its importance significantly different from other metropolitan local governments.

As the political adage goes, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely," the independent authority of the special self-governing province must be properly checked and balanced, requiring awakening and efforts from the PPP.

Among candidates Moon Seong-yu, Jang Seong-cheol, and Heo Hyang-jin (in alphabetical order), it is a time when PPP party members and Jeju residents need to make a wise judgment on who is genuinely concerned for Jeju, has solutions, can fight well to overcome the disadvantaged electoral landscape, and can build a proper check-and-balance force through self-sacrifice.

Just as endless debate and consultation have led to the development of democracy, Jeju residents hope that the PPP candidate, the flagship of this local election, will be a capable candidate who can effectively confront the Democratic Party to maintain balance, checks, and coexistence in regional politics.

Jeju = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Chang-won captain@asiae.co.kr