[Report] "Won't Vote for Oh Sehoon Who Fueled Housing Prices" vs. "Ruling Party's Taxes Are Unbearable"... Divided Voter Sentiment in the Han River Belt

Real Estate Policy Is the Top Concern
"Oh Criticized for Lifting Land Transaction Permits, Fueling Housing Prices"

Young Voters in Their 20s: "Dislike Subsidy Handouts"
"Still Concerned about Democratic Party's Tax Burden"
High Praise for Jeong Wono: "Did a Great Job as District Head"

"Friends in their 20s dislike the 'sharing ideology' of distributing subsidies. Although I haven't felt any direct impact during Mayor Oh Sehoon's four years, I still want to place my hopes in the People Power Party." (Kim Myojeong, 25)

"Oh Sehoon's Han River Bus lacks practicality, and too much money was poured into the river. All of that comes from the citizens—it's my tax money." (Mr. Lee, a resident in his 60s from Gangdong-gu)

With about a month left until the 9th nationwide local elections on June 3, the 'Han River Belt,' considered the biggest battleground in the Seoul mayoral race, is seeing voter sentiment shift. From April 27 to 29, residents' reactions varied as they were interviewed across shopping districts, alleys, traditional markets, and apartment complexes during weekday afternoons.

The Han River Belt refers to seven areas adjacent to the Han River—Mapo, Yongsan, Seongdong, Gwangjin, Dongjak, Yeongdeungpo, and Gangdong—excluding the three Gangnam districts. This region is sensitive to real estate policies due to redevelopment and reconstruction issues, and with a high proportion of centrist voters, it is a swing area where voter preferences shift in every election.

Last month on the 28th, Jayang Traditional Market in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul was bustling with citizens. Photo by Seongmin Lee

The Top Concern for Citizens: Real Estate

In the alleyways and commercial districts of Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, real estate and tax issues were constant topics. Lee Manhee (56), a resident of Yeonnam-dong, said, "Since the ruling party came to power, not only me but my friends as well keep saying, 'We can't live because of taxes. We might as well emigrate.'" In front of an apartment complex in Sangsandong, Jeon (53) said, "I've lived in Mapo-gu for 25 years and have always voted for Jeong Cheongrae, the Democratic Party leader, but now I'm not sure who to support."

Kim Irang (39), a resident of Sangam-dong, commented, "Candidate Oh has talked a lot about the Han River Bus and about redevelopment and reconstruction, but nothing has actually been implemented." Kang (41) pointed out, "Candidate Oh has shown off by spending taxes extravagantly and engaging in showy politics."

On the 27th of last month, citizens are enjoying a walk along the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Seongah Shim

Voter sentiment in Dongjak-gu was split in half. Kim Seongsu (68), a resident of Heukseok-dong, said, "Having served three terms as district head and considering his various accomplishments, I think Jeong Wono from the Democratic Party would do well." Moon (44), a parent of a middle school student, said, "I haven't decided who to vote for, but my trust in Candidate Oh has dropped, so I won't be supporting him."

Jeon (22), a university student living in Sanggil 1-dong, said, "My friends dislike all parties, but especially the president." Kim (31), an office worker living in Sindaebang-dong, said, "Even if only to keep the president and the ruling party in check, the Seoul mayor should be from the opposition."

◆"High Expectations for Jeong Wono" vs. "Need to Keep the Democratic Party in Check"

In Haengdang-dong and Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, there was a sense of expectation stemming from Candidate Jeong's achievements as district head. Chae Dongsu (45), who runs a business in Haengdang-dong, said, "When Candidate Jeong was the district head, he resolved complaints quickly and did a great job. Although I usually support conservatives, since the Lee Jaemyung administration is also performing well, I plan to vote for Candidate Jeong." Kim Jaeha (25), a university student, said, "Candidate Jeong has a great reputation, so expectations are high."

Citizens are passing by on the street near Hanyang University in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, which was visited on the 28th of last month. Photo by Lee Sungmin

Yang, a fruit vendor in his 60s at Jayang Traditional Market, said, "It doesn't matter how long you've been running a market. (Candidate Oh) is too out of touch with public sentiment." Kim Yongchang (71), whom we met in a residential area in Jayang 2-dong, said, "I used to support the People Power Party, but these days, I don't like what the opposition is doing, so I'll vote for the ruling party."

Mr. Lee, a resident in his 60s whom we met at an apartment complex in Myeongil-dong, Gangdong-gu, recalled Candidate Oh's lifting of the land transaction permit system (Toheoje) in the Gangnam and Songpa areas last year. He said, "When housing prices in Gangnam started to rise and things got noisy, the policy was withdrawn right away, so I wasn't satisfied with the real estate policy." Another Mr. Lee, also in his 60s, living in Godeok-dong, said, "There's a sense of expectation since Candidate Jeong served three consecutive terms as Seongdong-gu district head, but to keep the Democratic Party from dominating, the People Power Party and conservatives also need to remain strong."

Jeon Wono, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Seoul Mayor (left), and Oh Sehun, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul Mayor, are posing for a commemorative photo at the opening ceremony of the Seoul Special Mayor's Cup Football Tournament held on the 3rd at Seoul Hyochang Sports Park. Photo by Yonhap News

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.