On-the-Trail Coverage Lee Yun-hee Appeals to Traditional Market Voters with Warm Smile

"Reaching deeper into even the lowest places." On the afternoon of the 21st at 2 p.m., Jidong Market in Suwon bustled with visitors during the long holiday weekend. Independent candidate for Suwon Mayor Lee Yun-hee launched a campaign to gauge public sentiment at the traditional market. Drawing on her long experience working as a Suwon city official and local public servant, the candidate canvassed every corner of the market appealing for support.

Despite the unusually hot weather that left her jacket soaked with perspiration, she continuously wiped her brow while extending her forceful hand to each citizen for a handshake. She said, "A conversation and handshake with each voter is far more precious than handing out tens of thousands of business cards," and expressed confidence that "citizens will surely receive my sincerity."

The candidate's campaign activity at Jidong Market on this day lasted just over an hour. For a typical election campaign, this would be enough time to distribute at least 1,000 business cards, yet she met only around 50 people. Her efforts to connect more intimately with those she encountered were evident.

Beneath the shade of a street tree where a baduk game was underway, she spent considerable time discussing Suwon city administration with elderly residents, and engaged in serious discussions with furniture street merchants about "why business is slow."

Having purchased cucumbers from a produce merchant she met at a corner of the traditional market, she ate them with her campaign staff, saying with a laugh, "I feel so good, as if I came to the market with friends. I wish every day could be campaign day."

To homemakers who indifferently waved her away, she displayed her characteristic warm smile and said, "You must cast vote number 8 to turn around Suwon's fortune," dropping a business card into their shopping basket. When parting with voters, she always left the words, "I'll come again." This came from her resolve not to pretend to serve citizens only during election season.

Meanwhile, the candidate met with Suwon Mayor Kim Yong-seo, who was returning from a nearby temple where he had completed his schedule, and displayed their camaraderie. When asked by a reporter "what kind of person would you want to see become mayor?", Mayor Kim said, "Whoever is elected will do well, but wouldn't it be good if someone with diverse experience in administration and other areas becomes mayor?"

The candidate emphasized, "A mayor is a public servant who works for citizens," and said, "I am fundamentally different from candidates who run based on party interests. I will definitely become a humble mayor for the citizens."