The campaign offices of the metropolitan mayor and governor candidates running in the June 3 local elections serve as base camps for an intense race. Beyond handling simple tasks, they are also spaces that strengthen the bond between candidates and supporters.
Candidates and their camps put great effort into choosing the location of the campaign office. But the process is not easy. In the greater Seoul area or big cities, rent is burdensome and spaces that can accommodate large numbers are limited. Building owners may be reluctant to offer short-term leases, and some are said to feel uneasy because renting to a candidate could be seen as linking them to politics.
An official with one metropolitan candidate's camp said, "From the outset, we consider various factors to choose a location that maximizes the candidate's promotional impact, including exterior banners and foot traffic," adding, "In reality, it's impossible to choose a place that only has advantages."
◇ Locations that carry the candidate's message… buildings on prime sites are also popular
Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's Seoul mayoral candidate, set up his campaign office at Daewang Building in Gwancheol-dong, Jongno District. Oh's side said, "It symbolically shows the urgency of redeveloping the old downtown and the will for balanced urban growth," adding, "It's a message that we will start from the citizens' point of view, not for show."
Lee Cheol-woo, the People Power Party's North Gyeongsang governor candidate, settled into Andong Lake Hue Tower near the Hanok Hotel intersection in the provincial government's new town. Andong was one of the areas where backlash was strong during the failed talks on administrative integration with Daegu. As he spent all of the past eight years of his term as governor here, it is seen as reflecting his will to develop the northern region. In April, when he was a preliminary candidate, Lee said, "Andong is the center of tradition and spiritual culture and the key city of northern North Gyeongsang."
Jo Sang-ho, the Democratic Party of Korea's Sejong mayoral candidate, opened his campaign office on Sejong Garosu-gil in Naseong-dong. He said, "This building is about five years old, and this is the first lease (for the second floor)," adding, "When I was vice mayor for economic affairs, I formed an emergency task force to boost the commercial district, but there is still much to be desired." It effectively signaled his intent to revitalize the local economy through the campaign office.
Some candidates chose offices in places reputed to have good "sites" every election. Choo Mi-ae, the Democratic Party of Korea's Gyeonggi governor candidate, picked the Marathon Building in Suwon as her campaign office. Starting with Nam Kyung-pil of the Saenuri Party in 2014, the Marathon Building has produced the governor for 12 consecutive years, including Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party in 2018 and Kim Dong-yeon of the Democratic Party in 2022.
◇ Buildings bearing corporate names such as Samsung and Hanwha… offices just three minutes from rivals
Several candidates have rented campaign offices in buildings that include corporate names. In the greater Seoul area, Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party of Korea's Incheon mayoral candidate, set up his office in the Hanwha Life Insurance Building in Michuhol District. Chun Jae-soo, the Democratic Party of Korea's Busan mayoral candidate, chose the NH Investment & Securities Building in Busanjin District, and Kim Boo-kyum, the Democratic Party of Korea's Daegu mayoral candidate, held his opening at the Hanwha General Insurance Building in Dalseo District. The campaign office of Kim Kyeong-soo, the Democratic Party of Korea's South Gyeongsang governor candidate, was set up in the STX Ocean Tower in Seongsan District, Changwon. From the People Power Party, Choo Kyung-ho, the Daegu mayoral candidate, opened a campaign office in the Samsung Securities Building in Suseong District.
Some campaign offices are located right in front of their rivals. Woo Sang-ho, the Democratic Party of Korea's Gangwon governor candidate, and Kim Jin-tae, the People Power Party's candidate, have offices just 200 meters apart. It's a three-minute walk. Both set up their offices in downtown Chuncheon.
Some candidates set up campaign offices close to their party organizations. Yang Hyang-ja, the Gyeonggi governor candidate, held an opening ceremony at the People Power Party's Gyeonggi Provincial Chapter in Jangan District, Suwon. Park Soo-hyun, the Democratic Party of Korea's South Chungcheong governor candidate, opened his office in The Sharp Officetel in Cheonan, directly above which sits the Democratic Party of Korea's South Chungcheong Provincial Chapter.
◇ "Handsome Haus, New York Building, Shark Zone" unusual building names also draw attention
Some candidates are drawing attention with distinctive building names. The campaign office building rented by Wi Seong-gon, the Democratic Party of Korea's Jeju governor candidate, is named "THE HANDSOME HAUS." The word "HANDSOME," meaning good-looking, sits right above a banner featuring Wi's face. The building houses a store of the clothing brand "Handsome." Wi's side said, "It wasn't intentional."
Also, the building where Park Wan-su, the People Power Party's South Gyeongsang governor candidate, has his campaign office is "New York Building" in Seongsan District, Changwon, South Gyeongsang. Lee Jang-woo, the People Power Party's Daejeon mayoral candidate, is in "Shark Zone" in Seo District. Kim Young-hwan, the People Power Party's North Chungcheong governor candidate, set up his office in "Geumgwan Building" in Heungdeok District.