Lee Myung-bak Surveys Public Sentiment at Suwon Traditional Markets

Lee Myung-bak, Grand National Party presidential candidate, visited Suwon's Jidong Market and Yeongdong Market on the 16th to explore consumer sentiment and gauge economic conditions at traditional markets ahead of Chuseok.

Arriving at the market shortly after noon, candidate Lee toured the shops and made purchases totaling around 80,000 won, including chicken gizzards, dried pollock, squid, apples, pears, young radish greens, eggplant, red chili powder, and rice cakes, while saying "Please don't overcharge" and "I wish you good business."

Candidate Lee then shared a light meal of stir-fried sausage and soup with Gyeonggi Province Party Chairman Nam Kyung-pil, spokesperson Na Kyung-won, and Suwon Mayor Kim Yong-seo, among other party officials, before moving to Yeongdong Market to hold a "town meeting" with merchants.

At the event, he said, "I came out to speak with you during this important Chuseok season, which is just days away," adding, "When I was young, I sold goods at a street stall in the countryside, and when I came to Seoul, I worked as a sanitation worker in the traditional market area of Itaewon on the outskirts, so I have special affection and understanding for this sector."

He also stated, "When power transfers next year, the Grand National Party intends to implement customized policies specifically for small business owners, self-employed people, and traditional markets," and promised, "Once the administration changes, we will ensure that at least within one or two years, all matters related to you can be achieved."

Regarding the issue of lowering credit card processing fees for individual businesses, he said, "It makes no economic sense to charge small business owners higher card fees, and fees should be the same whether at department stores or markets," adding, "If I become president, I believe we must persuade card companies to make fees uniform through dialogue."

On the Capital Region Development Planning Act, he said, "The Capital Region restrictions originally came from Japan, but since many businesses are moving overseas, Japan has lifted regulations," and noted, "Since Capital Region deregulation generates very sensitive reactions, it is difficult for a candidate before an election to speak definitively. I will clarify my position after becoming president."

He added, "This Chuseok season, Grand National Party members will conduct a campaign to purchase items from traditional markets and self-employed merchants," and stated, "If the opportunity arises around one year from now, I will hold an after-service report meeting on what was discussed today."

Merchants caught attention by offering not only well-wishes to candidate Lee, saying "Please lead the nation well if you become president," but also frank criticism.

One merchant who serves as chairman of the Gyeonggi Province Merchants Association said, "It is said that when you were Seoul mayor, you provided much support to traditional markets, but market merchants say they did not receive much support," adding, "While candidate Lee has driving force regarding construction projects, we have doubts about whether he is sincere in fostering traditional markets."

There were also criticisms stating "Our politics is no better than during the Liberal Party era," "Isn't today going to end with just complaints and no results?" and "It is not enough to help traditional markets through words alone."