"Daegu needs to change now"
"But the Democratic Party can't win"
Public sentiment in Daegu, traditionally a conservative stronghold, is shifting. A visit by Aju Economy on May 7 revealed a tight race between Kim Boo-kyum of the Democratic Party and Choo Kyung-ho of the People Power Party for the mayoral position. Voices calling for change clashed with those insisting on preserving conservative values.
Kim, the first Democratic lawmaker elected from Daegu, is leveraging his connection to the Lee Jae-myung administration to garner support, emphasizing the need for government budget allocations for the city.
An 80-year-old man in Dongseongro, a former People Power supporter, remarked, "Isn't it time for Kim Boo-kyum to have a chance?" He argued that despite Choo's experience as a former economy minister, he questioned what could be achieved in the current political climate.
A 20-something woman from Suseong District, where Kim has lived his entire life, noted, "It seems like more young people support the Democratic Party compared to older generations."
A taxi driver traveling from East Daegu to West Daegu observed, "There seems to be a mood for change in Daegu, especially among the youth who are struggling to find jobs."
The impact of the recent emergency measures is also influencing local sentiment, benefiting Kim. A 30-something professional expressed support for Kim, citing lingering loyalty to former President Yoon Suk-yeol as a drawback for Choo. Another professional woman in her 30s echoed this sentiment, expressing discomfort with Yoon.
Choo, a three-term lawmaker from Dalseong-gun, is also receiving significant support. Residents believe he should be elected as mayor, having previously garnered 75.31% of the vote in the last general election.
At the Hyunpoong Baeknyeondokgaebi Market, a 70-year-old man expressed his desire to see Choo as mayor, while another 73-year-old firmly stated, "We are definitely for Choo Kyung-ho." They also mentioned their support for former KCC chairman Lee Jin-sook, who is running for a parliamentary seat after being cut off from the mayoral race.
An 80-year-old criticized President Lee's support policies, stating, "Offering 600,000 won will just burden the young people," and declared, "No matter what, I won't vote for the Democratic Party."
Supporters in their 20s and 30s also expressed discontent with Lee's universal welfare policies. Many criticisms were directed more at the president than at Kim.
While Choo's support is strong in Dalseong-gun, opinions suggest younger voters may differ. A taxi driver noted that Dalseong-gun has the youngest average age in the country at 44, indicating that the preferences of newcomers could be a significant factor.
Some citizens expressed cynicism about the election, stating, "Neither candidate appeals to me," or "It doesn't matter who wins." Some even admitted they were unaware of the election.
Recent polls indicate a close race, with Kim at 45.9% and Choo at 42.4%, a margin of just 3.5%. The survey, conducted by Daegu MBC and Ace Research from May 2-3, included 1,004 respondents aged 18 and older, with a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points. More details can be found on the Central Election Survey Deliberation Commission's website.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.