Daegu election loss: Kim Boo-kyum's strong showing signals potential shift

Kim Boo-kyum, a former Prime Minister, faced a "fiery" defeat in the Daegu mayoral election, securing 45.1% of the vote against the People Power Party's Chu Kyung-ho, who garnered 53.9%. Despite the loss, Kim's performance marked the highest vote share ever achieved by a Democratic Party candidate in Daegu, a city historically dominated by conservative politics. This outcome has elicited a complex mix of emotions among citizens, ranging from hope for change to despair and a sense of relief for some that Daegu's conservative identity remains intact.

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Now you can see it as half and half. Daegu people have changed a lot.

Interviews with Daegu residents revealed a clear generational divide in voting patterns. Many older citizens expressed loyalty to the conservative "home team," with one 70-year-old stating, "Even if I think of voting for Kim Boo-kyum, when I enter the polling booth, I just mark number 2. We don't easily give up our hearts here." Conversely, citizens under 50 expressed disappointment. A 50-something resident lamented, "It's hard for someone like Kim Boo-kyum to run in Daegu again. Even though a national figure like Kim Boo-kyum invested 15 years in Daegu, he suffered a major defeat by an 8% margin. Daegu missed its last chance for change." Many younger voters cited a desire to shed the "conservative" label associated with Daegu and prevent their children from facing prejudice based on their regional origin.

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If Kim Boo-kyum had run for the People Power Party, he would have been a presidential candidate.

The election results also underscored the powerful influence of the People Power Party's organizational strength and the lingering distrust some voters have towards the Democratic Party. Some voters admitted to not knowing the candidates well, voting based on party affiliation or local political influence. Others expressed concerns about the Democratic Party's perceived attempts to consolidate power, referencing specific legislative proposals that fueled their skepticism. Despite Kim's strong showing, the deeply ingrained conservative sentiment, particularly among older voters, proved insurmountable.

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Even if the Democratic Party wins, the country's money will run out, and they can't do as they please.

However, Kim's significant vote share has been interpreted as a sign of potential future change. A 36-year-old supporter noted, "For Daegu, this is quite a good showing. Many young people voted for Kim Boo-kyum not necessarily out of love for him, but because they fundamentally opposed the People Power Party." The Democratic Party also saw an increase in elected local council members in Daegu compared to previous elections. While acknowledging the defeat, party officials recognized that Kim's campaign confirmed the growing desire for change among a significant portion of the electorate, even as they face the challenge of overcoming the entrenched conservatism of older generations and the increasing conservatism among younger demographics.

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It was sad. It's hard for someone like Kim Boo-kyum to run in Daegu again. Daegu missed its last chance for change.