"자꾸 보수 진보 나눌라 카는데 몇십년간 죄다 나눠져 있잖어. 그래갖고 나라가 발전이 되갔어? 이재명이는 잘할 것 같아요. 전라도선 90% 이상 나와야제."Seventy-year-old Im, an agriculture-related business operator residing in Suncheon, said, "They keep trying to divide between conservatives and progressives, but it's been divided for decades. Has the country developed because of that? I think Lee Jae-myung will do well. He should get over 90% in Jeolla Province."
On the fourth day of the official campaign, on the 15th, Suncheon's Fashion Street was bustling with hundreds of citizens holding umbrellas. From students in school uniforms to young couples in their 20s and seniors in raincoats in wheelchairs, they waited for candidate Lee Jae-myung's speech. The blue hat and T-shirt, a staple at Democratic Party rallies, were hardly visible. When Lee asked, "You must be having a hard time in the rain. It would be best to finish as soon as possible?" they replied, "We're already completely soaked, so it's okay!"
◇"Center-right signs," "orange and pink balloons"... "What does it matter if we're conservative or progressive?"
The core message of candidate Lee, who wore sneakers mixed with blue and red, was "integration." He stated, "The next government should adhere to popular sovereignty while being an integrated government," and added, "Let's not divide and attack because of small differences and aim to reach reasonable conclusions through compromise and adjustment."
Seventy-year-old Im who runs a farm remarked, "The world has changed, so what does it matter if we divide into conservatives, progressives, or centrists? To develop the country, we must integrate without dividing between progressives and conservatives. What Lee Jae-myung said is quite right. He needs to get over 90% to do it well." A housewife named Shin, 39, who was observing the campaign added, "Having experienced a state of emergency, I think the only person who can respond to such situations is Lee Jae-myung," saying, "It's good he aims for integration."
Handmade signs also caught the eye. When candidate Lee appeared in front of the Gwangyang Dragons stadium, some supporters dressed in blue waved signs that read "Center-right Lee Jae-myung." They applauded or cheered in agreement with his statements about "integration." The campaign site, typically filled with "blue balloons," featured a mix of orange, red, pink, yellow, and white balloons this time.
Kang Ah-reum, 38, who held a balloon while carrying a 1-year-old baby, said, "I wanted to show this candidate, who can create a good country for my child to live in, directly to my baby." She continued, "I hope candidate Lee Jae-myung can eliminate the culture of division and become a president who embraces everyone."
◇"You haven't developed the local economy yet, so I have no expectations" – cynicism also surfaced
Despite supporting Lee, many voiced disappointment about economic development. A taxi driver named Joo, in his 60s, who introduced himself as a "native of Suncheon," stated, "Even if the Democratic Party elects more presidents, what have they developed in the region?" He expressed, "I don't expect much economic development even if candidate Lee is elected."
Jung, who runs a hiking apparel store and is 35 years old, said, "I hope this time the Democratic Party can bring about some concrete economic development results," adding, "I'm expecting policies that help small business owners." A job seeker named Lee, 27, said, "There isn't really a candidate I feel attracted to," continuing, "I hope they push policies that create more local jobs."
Candidate Lee also seemed aware of this atmosphere as he said, "I always feel sorry and I will make changes," proclaiming his intention to restructure the local economy around the 'renewable energy industry.' He stated at the Gwangyang campaign rally, "The price of cabbage is cheap at production sites, but it becomes expensive in cities while electricity rates remain the same between production and consumption sites." He questioned, "If we produce electricity in Yeonggwang, and send it to Seoul, does it make sense that people in Seoul use it at the same rate? It's unequal."
He further stated, "Electricity prices in areas that produce electricity should be lower," explaining, "If we clearly differentiate prices, it will increase demand in local industries and contribute to balanced regional development." On the same day, in Suncheon, he also bowed deeply to supporters for the first time during the official campaign period. Candidate Lee aims for a 90% approval rating in his key stronghold of Honam and is scheduled to tour Jeonbuk and Gwangju over a three-night, four-day period until the May 18th Democratic Uprising memorial ceremony.