"Even my wife and I have ended up picking different candidates."
Two days before the June 3 local elections, voter sentiment in North Jeolla Province was sharply divided between disappointment with and expectations of the Democratic Party of Korea, the region's traditional party of choice.
On one side were voices calling for support of independent candidate Kim Kwan-young — expelled from the Democratic Party over a "designated-driver fee payment controversy" — to "deliver a shock to the party." On the other were demands that Democratic Party candidate Lee Won-taek be elected so that "the government and ruling party can revive the regional economy as one team." Jang, 50, who runs a fish stall at Moraenae Aljja Market in Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, said, "Looking at the mood around here, support is split 50-50 between the two candidates," adding, "This election — we won't know until the lid comes off."
On the ground, many responses suggested it was difficult to predict the outcome rather than declaring one candidate the favorite. Unlike past elections in which Democratic Party candidates were all but guaranteed victory, this race has unfolded as a tight contest between the Democratic Party candidate and the independent, drawing heightened voter interest. In early voting held May 29-30, North Jeolla recorded the nation's highest turnout at 35.05%. Across the region, sentiment was building that "this time, voters must use their ballots to send a message to the political establishment."
Support for Kim, who pressed ahead with an independent bid, has proven stronger than expected. The dynamic reflects a combination of backlash against the Democratic Party leadership and sympathy for Kim. Na, 64, who runs a bicycle shop in Inhwa-dong, Iksan, said, "Not even giving the sitting governor — who represents the people of North Jeolla — a chance to explain himself shows disregard for the residents." He added, "I've voted for Democratic Party candidates my whole life, but this time I chose neither the Democratic Party's gubernatorial nor mayoral candidate."
Many also voiced complaints about what they called "unfairness," noting that while the Democratic Party immediately expelled Kim over the designated-driver fee controversy, it cleared Lee — a member of the pro-Jeong Cheong-rae faction — over allegations of having a meal bill paid for him. Some suspected the move reflected "political calculations by leader Jeong Cheong-rae aimed at the next party leadership race." Choi, in his 70s, whom the reporter met at Daeya Market in Gunsan, asked, "If you've had drinks with someone junior to you, isn't it reasonable to cover the designated-driver fee to prevent drunk driving?"
Kim's incumbency advantage, paired with Lee's lower name recognition, has stirred voter sentiment. Choi, 72, a resident of Seosin-dong in Wansan-gu, Jeonju, said, "Kim is getting support even as an independent because he did a good job as governor." He added, "I heard Lee Won-taek served as a lawmaker (representing the Gunsan-Gimje-Buan-eul district), but it was only during this election that I realized 'oh, this person exists.'" Lee, 31, a resident of Daeya-myeon in Gunsan, expressed expectations for Kim, saying, "Running as an independent itself feels like a fresh option. I'm curious to see what direction he'll take after winning."
By contrast, voices among Democratic Party supporters argued that "Lee's election is needed to complete the one-team setup between the government and ruling party." Yang, 61, a resident of Inhu-dong in Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, who introduced himself as a Democratic Party member, said, "I have complaints about the nomination process, but I concluded that we need to keep pace with the government for the sake of provincial development." He predicted, "In the main vote, voters seeking to back the government and ruling party will rally."
Sung Myung-jin, 63, who has run a butcher shop in Gunsan for 15 years, recalled the period of regional economic stagnation following the 2017 closure of Hyundai Heavy Industries' Gunsan shipyard and the 2018 withdrawal of GM Korea's Gunsan plant. He stressed, "Central government support is essential for Saemangeum development and attracting businesses." Voicing support for Lee, he said, "The Lee Jae-myung administration will lead state affairs for the next four years, so the government and provincial administration must work hand in hand to drive regional development."
On Kim's designated-driver fee controversy, a notable number of voters argued that "since it handed the opposition ammunition, the Democratic Party's expulsion was unavoidable." Nam, 77, who lives in Juhyeon-dong, Iksan, said, "We had the Jamboree fiasco, and then the designated-driver controversy hit on top of that. The Democratic Party's decision to expel him was only natural." Hwang, in his 70s, who runs an agricultural supplies store at Iksan Nambu Market, said, "The designated-driver fee issue could become a weakness the People Power Party keeps attacking. The Democratic Party probably made the decision to ease its own burden."
The two candidates went all-out through Monday, the final day of the official campaign period, appealing for support. At a press conference that day, Lee said, "I will deliver tangible results on regional priorities — including Hyundai Motor Group's 9 trillion won investment, attracting the AI semiconductor industry, and establishing the Jeonbuk Growth Corporation — as part of the Democratic Party's one team." Kim also pledged, "I will turn North Jeolla into a hub for advanced industries and large-scale investment, create jobs for young people, and build a region where all 14 cities and counties grow together."
