"We Need to Back the Government" "Vote for a Local from Buk-gu" "We Need Someone Who Can Fight" [June 3 Local Elections]

[Financial News, Busan = Reporter Lee Hae-ram] As South Korean politics has fallen into chaos, local residents who must choose their representatives are also confused. Endless confrontation has left voters feeling that politics offers them little sense of effectiveness. The same is true in Busan Buk-gu-gap, one of the 14 districts drawing the most attention in the June 3 by-election for the National Assembly.
Among residents of Gupo-dong, Deokcheon-dong and Mandeok-dong whom Financial News met from May 17 to 19, many said, "I don’t know who to vote for" and "I’m not interested in the election." One elderly man, who said he had once campaigned more passionately than anyone else while wearing a campaign jacket with "Kim Young-sam" on it more than 30 years ago, expressed political disgust, saying, "I don’t want to go to the polls to vote for a criminal."
On another side of Buk-gu, however, there is also a strong sense of anticipation for change. With a heavyweight showdown among Democratic Party of Korea candidate Ha Jung-woo, People Power Party candidate Park Min-sik and independent candidate Han Dong-hoon drawing public and media attention, residents are also showing a desire to produce the next president. Supporters of the ruling bloc praised President Lee Jae-myung’s governance and said they would cast a vote for a better life, while opposition supporters said they would vote to hold the administration accountable. Whichever of the three candidates they support, many residents seem to believe that voting in Buk-gu-gap could affect both local development and broader political change in South Korea.
■ "Ha Jung-woo will work well, just like President Lee"
For now, analysts say the race in Busan Buk-gu-gap appears to favor Ha Jung-woo in a three-way contest between one progressive candidate and two conservative candidates.
In particular, Ha, who belongs to the ruling party, previously worked closely with President Lee Jae-myung at Cheong Wa Dae as senior presidential secretary for AI future planning. He is also seen as the successor to Chun Jae-soo, the district’s outgoing lawmaker and current candidate for mayor of Busan. That gives him an advantage, as he may inherit the positive image and goodwill attached to both men.
A man in his 40s who runs a noodle restaurant in Deokcheon-dong said, "I think it’s good that the president points out what is wrong and makes corrections through policy meetings." He added, "With the economy in a difficult situation, I also hope the ruling party can gain momentum in pushing policies and help boost domestic demand." A taxi driver in his 60s, identified only by his surname Jeong, said, "Chun Jae-soo did a good job here in Buk-gu. He met residents often and listened to them." He added, "I have the same expectations for Ha Jung-woo."
Youth is also one of his strengths. Born in 1977, Ha is the youngest among the three candidates, compared with Park Min-sik, born in 1965, and Han Dong-hoon, born in 1973. A merchant at Gupo Market voiced concern, saying, "He has no political experience and seems inexperienced," but a man in his 30s named Kim, whom reporters met on another street, said, "He has a young, fresh and untainted image." He added, "Since he knows so much about AI, I think he may respond quickly to change."
Mixed views on President Lee and candidate Chun also appear to be affecting Ha. A taxi driver in his 70s criticized Park, saying, "Does it make sense to call off a special counsel probe over a criminal complaint? They say they’ll do it slowly after the local elections, but isn’t that the same as Yoon Suk Yeol declaring martial law and saying he would send tanks slowly?" Because Ha’s victory would also mean more momentum for the Democratic Party of Korea and President Lee, some voters feel reluctant to support him. As a political newcomer, he also faces the challenge of low name recognition. The driver smiled awkwardly and said, "I thought Ha Jung-woo was a movie actor."
■ "Park Min-sik supporters say, 'No traitors'"
Park Min-sik emphasizes that he is a "true Buk-gu native" as the son of a Gupo Market vendor known as "Wolnam-daeok," but many residents still expressed disappointment. They said they regretted that he had left the district after being raised there. Even so, conservative-leaning supporters said they would give Park another chance because of their distrust of the ruling party and their sense of betrayal toward Han Dong-hoon.
A man in his 70s whom reporters met near Sukdeung Station said, "Han Dong-hoon is a traitor to conservatives." He added, "He rushed to impeach the president and now acts just like someone from the Democratic Party of Korea." He went on to say, "I do have some regrets about Jang Dong-hyeok, but I’ll vote for Park Min-sik to rally support so that Lee Jae-myung can’t run wild."
Another man in his 60s, identified only by his surname Jeong, said, "Loyalty still matters in Busan. Betrayal cannot be forgiven." He added, "Didn’t he come out here in Buk-gu-gap after watching the mood in Daegu and elsewhere, just so he could win a lawmaker’s badge? There is no reason to vote for him." He then said he would support Park Min-sik, adding, "He has served as a lawmaker twice, and since he is from Buk-gu, he’ll probably do the best job."
■ "Dong-hoon should go to Cheong Wa Dae and be made to work"
Many residents said they expected Han Dong-hoon to bring "great power." As a potential presidential contender who has served as minister of justice and as People Power Party leader, they are paying close attention to his name recognition. There is also a sense that his strong influence could help drive growth in Buk-gu.
A woman in her 60s surnamed Choi, who runs a soup restaurant at Gupo Market, was asked which candidate she supports and replied, "I’m wearing white clothes — do I even need to say it?" She added, "I’ll back him all the way to Cheong Wa Dae." She said, "We have 16 employees, and we’ll vote for one person instead of splitting our support. It will also help traditional markets, and we’ll be able to work and make money. If he wins, Gupo Market will become better known and we’ll be able to work with more energy."
Some said they would vote for him because he is the person most capable of fighting the government and the ruling party, much like his nickname, "the nation’s top prosecutor." A merchant in his 40s at Gupo Market, identified only by his surname Chae, said, "To put it bluntly, he is the one who can fight best." He added, "I think he can stand up well to the Democratic Party of Korea, win public support by spending money, and also confront criminals effectively."
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haeram@fnnews.com Lee Hae-ram Reporter