At 10 a.m. on the 29th, five days before the presidential election on June 3, a subtle tension filled the air in front of the Gyeyang 1-dong Administrative Welfare Center located in 'Gyeyang-eul,' the electoral district of Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung.
This was because Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party candidate and Lee's electoral rival, was participating in early voting in what was considered the heart of the enemy territory.
Kim, wearing a red tie and voting with his daughter, explained why he chose this voting location by saying, 'My house is in Bucheon, just across the way. I stopped by on my way,' adding, 'The fact that Lee has his district here might be a factor too.'
The central election committee explained that this reflects the intention to attempt a reversal starting from Lee's district to achieve a golden cross (a reversal in approval ratings).
About 30 minutes before Kim's arrival, supporters in red T-shirts and party officials lined up at the entrance of the polling station eagerly awaiting his arrival.
A party member holding a small banner reading 'Happy Volunteer Service Team People Power Party' was seen posing for a photo. Due to the hot weather, quite a few citizens wore sunglasses. There were also verbal exchanges between some YouTubers trying to film the polling station and the civil servants trying to stop them.
A young couple holding hands and a young woman with a baby in tow were seen, but the majority of those who visited the polling station were seniors in their 60s and older.
Many of them harshly criticized the Dec. 12 and 3 martial law incident and the People Power Party.
Jo Geum-sik (78, female), who came to the polling station with her husband, said, 'I came to vote early on my way to church. I hope for someone who can keep our country peaceful, bring the economy back to life, and once elected, I wish they work diligently toward those goals.'
Cho, who voted for candidate Lee Jae-myung, remarked, 'I hate Yoon Seok-yeol because he did such wrong,' and questioned, 'Was martial law necessary?' Cho added, 'Some older people still like Yoon Seok-yeol, but most young folks aren't fond of him.'
He said, 'Is martial law something to do? He was elected to ensure peace, not for such actions. The economy hasn't been revived, it's failing now,' and commented, 'I don't care about rumors that early voting shouldn't be done due to poor management.'
Park Mo-ssi (in her 50s, female), who has always participated in early voting, also cast her vote for candidate Lee Jae-myung. Regarding the reason for her support, she stated, 'I just think he will do well. He seems the most honest, and having lived a challenging life, he would better understand and improve the lives of common people.'
Regarding Kim Moon-soo, she commented, 'I don't know much about him. He seems like someone who just suddenly appeared. Honestly, it seems like the People Power Party had no one else to run.'
She further remarked, 'The president declaring martial law was a foolish act, lacking presidential qualities. What era do we live in now? Maybe during Park Chung-hee or Chun Doo-hwan's time, but not now. Every member of the People Power Party gathered there is equally problematic.'
On the other hand, Kim Mo-ssi (in her 40s, female), said, 'I came out for early voting because on the Election Day my husband will be at work and only the kids will be at home. I support candidate Kim to avoid the worst.'