At 9 a.m. on the 23rd, after getting a taxi at Dongdaegu Station and saying to go to the People Power Party Daegu City Committee, the taxi driver, a person surnamed Yang, immediately brought up politics. Yang said, "Jang Dong-hyeok seems too stubborn. Why is he so hung up on Yoon Suk-yeol and acting so frustrating? In Daegu, the People Power Party's mood is chilly. It's being treated like cold rice." When the reporter identified himself, Yang shook his head and raised his voice, saying, "Doesn't the People Power Party need to snap out of it?"
When the reporter arrived at the city committee in Daegu and tried to pay the fare, Yang said, "Still, when it comes time to vote, isn't it like 'one more time again' this time too? There will be some people saying things like 'in the end, shouldn't we help the PPP? How could we be so cold-hearted as to do otherwise?'"
◇ Daegu's political barometer Seomun Market: "If you vote Democratic Party, even 10 won of the budget…"
Ahead of the June 3 local elections, Daegu is being swept into a political whirlpool. People Power Party Candidate Recommendation Management Chairperson Lee Jung-hyun on the 22nd cut off (excluded from nomination) former Korea Communications Commission Chair Lee Jin-sook and Rep. Joo Ho-young. They had been vying for first and second among People Power Party candidates for Daegu mayor in multiple polls. Rep. Joo and the former chair are strongly pushing back.
The mood in Daegu, long a stronghold for the People Power Party, has taken an uneasy turn recently. A poll last month even showed equal support for the Democratic Party and the People Power Party in Daegu and North Gyeongsang.
A visit to Seomun Market, a must-stop for politicians coming to Daegu, made it clear this shift is not just about numbers. Seomun Market is where you can most vividly gauge the sentiments of Daegu-born middle-aged and older residents. The conservative base there is stronger than in the Dongseong-ro area, where many young people gather, or in Suseong District, home to the middle class. Conversely, if Seomun Market changes, it could mean the whole of Daegu is shaking.
A person identified as A, who runs a snack shop at Seomun Market, said, "The People Power Party is always fighting among themselves, and you can see with your own eyes how incompetent they are, so there are far fewer people saying they'll vote for them." Mentioning former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum of the Democratic Party, the person said, "I go to a temple and once had a meal with him there," adding, "He speaks calmly and well, and I think maybe he could do something."
A person identified as B, who sells herbal medicine, said they were not interested in politics but, about former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, noted, "With the economy this tough, what's the point of 'your side, my side'?" A person identified as C, who sells fabrics, also said, "This time, I'm going to switch completely to the Democratic Party," adding, "I also get upset when I see Jung Chung-rae and suddenly feel my anger rise, but still, this round we need to change everything."
A person surnamed Kim who sells herbs said, "They're talking about Lee Jin-sook and Choi Eun-seok, and if that's the case, we'll really vote for Kim Boo-kyum," adding, "If you vote Democratic Party, at least they'll bring back even 10 won more in the budget." The person continued, "In the past, seniors in their 70s and 80s still felt they had to vote for the People Power Party, but these days even they say they can't vote Democratic Party and will just not vote."
A person surnamed Kim, an office worker in his 50s met in Dongseong-ro, Daegu, also said he would vote for former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum. Kim said, "All this time, the elderly kept backing the People Power Party, and Daegu has become last among major cities nationwide," adding, "This is something to reflect on. By continuing to back them, they think Daegu citizens are fools." Kim said, "I work at the Seongseo Industrial Complex, and Daegu manufacturing is at its worst. Not once, but two or three times, things need to be turned over for them to come to their senses," adding, "People in their 70s and 80s still say they'll vote for Joo Ho-young, but those in their 50s and 60s like me are wavering a lot. In terms of individual candidates alone, among the PPP candidates, there's no one who could beat Kim Boo-kyum head-to-head."
◇ "Joo Ho-young running as an independent, not so sure…," extreme reactions to Lee Jin-sook, "I don't really know about Choi Eun-seok"
There was also talk that Candidate Recommendation Committee Chair Lee Jung-hyun, by mentioning a generational shift and candidates from corporate backgrounds, had in mind Rep. Choi Eun-seok, who served as CEO of CJ CheilJedang.
When asked, many Daegu citizens still said they didn't really know about Rep. Choi Eun-seok. A person identified as D said of Choi, "It's a battlefield where first-termers can't even hand out business cards, so I was surprised," adding, "I heard he's the richest among Daegu's National Assembly members." Many merchants met at Seomun Market also responded that they "don't really know" about Choi.
There were many negative reactions to Rep. Joo Ho-young running as an independent. A Seomun Market merchant identified as E said, "If he runs as an independent, things are already tough, and with the vote split, I don't know if he can win," adding, "Frankly, I don't know why a National Assembly member is running in a Daegu mayoral race." Another merchant said, "If he's served six terms, it's time to stop."
There were polar-opposite reactions to former KCC Chair Lee Jin-sook. A resident of Dong-gu, Daegu, a person surnamed Kim, also said, "How do you just overturn the No. 1 in the polls right away?" adding, "Lee Jin-sook is the best among the new faces." A Seomun Market merchant identified as E also said, "Lee Jin-sook seems to have drive, speaks well, and is solid," adding, "The other candidates are too wishy-washy."
By contrast, a Seomun Market merchant surnamed Kim said, "What has Lee Jin-sook done in Daegu?" adding, "Wouldn't a loyal type like Yoo Young-ha be better?" Another person surnamed Kim who sells herbs at Seomun Market also said, "Many people like Lee Jin-sook, but to be honest, she's not an administrator, and I don't know what she plans to do by making her Daegu mayor."