Cynthia Kim
South Korea Jecheon (Reuters) – When President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial arts decree threw South Korea into chaos, it was sold in restaurants in Park Myung-ja in Jedo and became a turning point for many voters in the town.
The 66-year-old chef and restaurant owner is a face in South Korea's Beijongzhuang province, a swing region that has become even more important in a time of deep political polarization among Asia's fourth largest economy.
Parker said in a Korean restaurant two hours south of Seoul: “We need to stay away from all martial arts dramas to get things back.”
Now, voters are looking for winners of the June 3 steal election to calm the economic and political shock that has caused the country since the December 3 martial law, causing months of economic downturn and triggering nationwide protests.
Park's Chungcheong Province is a key battlefield for Kim Moon-soo, a conservative BJP candidate who ran for the company's relaxation measures, Liberal Democratic sphere Lee Neuy vowed, who vowed to go after months of turmoil.
In swing areas such as Jechon's North Chungcheong province, the ruling Conservative Party has the potential to lose most of its voting base, with many voters blaming martial law for the collapse of the martial arts private consumption and eased export momentum.
Yoon's announcement with some of her biggest clients was that Parker's business collapsed after local council officials canceled dinner reservations for five to 10 people.
“The first call I received on December 4 was from a regular customer who made his year-end dinner here every year. I asked him why he wanted to cancel it and he said- 'Don't you watch the news?''
Lee, who violated Yoon's martial arts decree, took a 10% lead on Kim in a final opinion poll released on Tuesday, with 45% of voters trusting him to restore the economy, compared to 32% of Kim.
Conservatives criticized Lee for a series of criminal cases facing allegations of violations of election laws, corruption and other issues, but they have been working to unify the individual candidates and keep their distance from Yoon.
On Friday, the right-wing King said that the vote for Lee would eventually “collapse our economy” in hopes of swinging voters in small cities such as Jecheon, a small inland town of about 130,000 surrounded by mountain tourist attractions, and they are looking for a turning point to restore South Korea’s destiny.
However, martial law continues to be serious on conservative opportunities.
“We definitely have fewer clients, especially at office dinners. It's really hard to bite us,” said Choi, a Chinese restaurant owner in Pangyo, a town in southern Seoul.
“Lee is someone who will improve more of us bad people.”
Heavy glasses
Since the Covid-19 outbreak on December 19, consumer sentiment has recovered from 101.8 levels in May, as they expect expectations for fresh stimulus packages under the leadership of new leaders.
Shocking moves shocked the market and put the victory in the worst currency of last year, hurting business sentiment even before exporters absorbed the full power of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Now, as economic headwinds of semiconductor boom and capital market reforms are gradually fading over the past few years, strains are beginning.
Those who win the June 3 election will face an economy signed in the first quarter, negotiate with Washington to avoid high tariffs and raise voters like Park, who see their living standards regress from high grocery bills and weak spending.
South Korea’s election campaign is about policy clarification and, after twists and turns involving the main candidates, is a big deal about the wonder.
“I hope they take housing supply more seriously and raise the domestic market more seriously,” said Jung Soo-Hyeon, 59. “But maybe because it's a quick election, this in-depth consideration seems to be missing, which is a bit disappointing.”
Analysts say voters are closely watching economic commitments as consumption has been hit hard.
Kim Jin-Wook of Citi Research said Lee's victory could spur “economic growth in the short term.”
He added that the Democrats “may be more keen on providing policy and support for the low- and middle-income stage.”
While both top candidates promised to draft the second supplementary budget for the year immediately after the election, Lee also promised to provide credentials to help local businesses and subsidize parenting, youth and seniors.
While Lee has withdrawn from advocating for universal basic income, some voters who supported the cloud last time said they think Lee is most likely to pay attention to his own interests.
“Lee's party seems willing to give to those struggling,” Parker said, stressing that “change” is important.
($1 = 1,376.1000 won)
(Other reports by Yeonbin Park; Edited by Saad Sayeed)
