“It’s embarrassing to say you support conservatives anywhere these days. Watching them fight among themselves, you just lose all affection for them.” So said Kim Deok-ryeol, a merchant at Jinju Jungang Market.
On the 22nd, Kim was waving fruit and calling out to customers at Jinju Jungang Market in Daean-dong, Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, when he frowned at a sudden question about the upcoming election. “The People Power Party right now is only busy looking out for their own positions. How could anyone like them?” Kim said pointedly. “No matter how many party members they have, politicians should practice politics for all citizens.” Not only market vendors but also citizens out shopping showed cold reactions, saying, “A healthy conservative party has disappeared.”
The response was not much different in Tongyeong. Choi, 54, who runs a sesame oil shop at Tongyeong Jungang Traditional Market in Jungang-dong, Tongyeong, said, “Until now, the conservative party has protected the nation and the market economy, giving its supporters a sense of satisfaction that they were contributing to Korea’s economic growth.” He added, “But now, I don’t know what values conservatives are pursuing anymore.”
