Public sentiment in Jeonnam and Gwangju during the Chuseok holiday is mixed with expectations and concerns about the Lee Jae-myung administration amid high inflation and economic recession.

During the Chuseok holiday, public sentiment in the Jeollanam-do Gwangju area complained about the burden on people's livelihoods due to high inflation and economic recession, and expectations and concerns were mixed regarding major issues such as the Lee Jae-myung administration, administrative integration, and the Honam semiconductor cluster.

In the public sentiment conveyed by local politicians, internal conflict within the Democratic Party, complete farmland survey, and confusion after administrative integration emerged as major topics.

In particular, there were repeated calls for Min Hyeong-bae, Mayor of Gwangju, South Jeolla Province, to take a more proactive role in coordinating and providing direction regarding conflicts after integration.

Ordinary citizens and civil society group officials mentioned lifestyle issues such as prices, housing, employment, and local commercial areas more than political evaluations, and emphasized that administrative integration and semiconductor investment should lead to real changes in life.

◇ Public sentiment conveyed by politicians… “I have a lot of concerns about conflict between the people and the party.”

What lawmakers in Gwangju, South Jeolla Province said they heard most from residents was the difficult 'people's livelihood.'

Rep. Park Ji-won (Haenam, Wando, Jindo) said, “There were loud calls to focus on resolving the difficult livelihoods of the people,” and Rep. Joo Cheol-hyeon (Yeosugap) said, “Local public opinion was not good due to the recession in the petrochemical industry and the real economy.”

Rep. Jeong Jin-wook (Dongnam Gap) said, “I heard a lot of people say that the economy in the alley is more difficult than it was during the IMF crisis, and that although there are successful companies, it is very difficult for ordinary people,” and Rep. Park Gyun-taek (Gwangsan Gap) also said, “There were quite a few stories that it was difficult to make a living in the alley commercial district.”

Regarding the decline in government approval ratings, it was explained that it was not that support for President Lee Jae-myung had disappeared, but that there were many voices worried about internal conflict within the Democratic Party.

Rep. Shin Jeong-hoon (Naju/Hwasun) said, “In the past, there was a lot of talk about why we couldn’t strengthen reforms, but now there was a lot of talk about why we fight within the Democratic Party and why we can’t unite in an inclusive way.” Rep. Joo also said, “There were a lot of opinions about why people on the same side are fighting and that we need to unite.”

Rep. Jin-wook Jeong conveyed the sentiment, saying, “In times like these, we have said a lot that we need to protect President Lee Jae-myung, especially in the Honam region,” and Rep. Gyun-taek Park said, “Given that residents are more worried about the president’s approval rating, there is a possibility that support in the Honam area will rally again.”

Rep. Yang Bun-nam (Seogu-eul) also diagnosed that anxiety over the complete farmland survey had an impact on local public opinion, and hoped that policy explanations would lead to a recovery in support.

Regarding pending issues and conflicts related to administrative integration, there were common voices calling for Mayor Min to take an active role.

Rep. Park Ji-won mentioned the selection of national medical school candidates and the state capitol issue and said, “Mayor Min should do well, but he doesn’t seem to be satisfied,” while Rep. Shin Jeong-hoon emphasized, “Mayor Min needs to lead with more initiative.”

Rep. Jin-wook Jeong also said, “Residents asked Mayor Min to listen, saying, ‘You need to listen to more stories.’” Rep. Gyun-taek Park said, “I heard stories from some residents saying, ‘Shouldn’t Mayor Min be a little harsher?’ and ‘Why is it so messy?’”

Rep. Yang Bun-nam expressed the sentiment of local people during Chuseok, saying, “There was the highest interest in when semiconductors would really be launched and when the military airport would really be relocated.”

◇ Citizens and civic groups “I don’t feel integrated”… Semiconductors are also expected to create jobs

Cost of living, housing, and employment issues were prominent in the holiday public sentiment reported by ordinary citizens and civil society organizations.

Yoo Young-gwan (55), a self-employed person in Buk-gu, Gwangju, said, “Many people say that it is still difficult to make a living,” citing high perceived prices and income issues.

Park Seok-hyeon (22), a student at Honam University, said, “We talked about employment the most during the holidays,” and added, “There are many friends who want to stay in Gwangju, but there are not many jobs they want, so they are thinking about getting a job in the metropolitan area.”

Kim Sang-cheol (70), a former civil servant, said, "My children's generation is worried that their salaries cannot keep up with the pace of increase in housing prices. This holiday season, I also heard a lot of concerns about the reality that the burden of housing costs is leading to problems with marriage and childbirth."

There were both expectations and disappointments regarding the Lee Jae-myung administration's administration of state affairs.

Ki Woo-sik (57), secretary general of the Gwangju Citizens' Association Council, said, "The president's announcement of his intention to review recent state administration through a press conference before Chuseok and his response to diplomatic issues are positive."

On the other hand, Kim Sang-cheol said, "Now is the time to show what has changed rather than what system has been changed," and Yoo Young-gwan said, "There are many dissatisfaction with the government over the slow recovery of people's livelihoods."

Regarding administrative integration, many responded that they did not yet know what had changed.

Secretary-General Ki said, “I don’t know what is getting better or worse, so I have no expectations or disappointment,” and Kim Soon (53), executive chairman of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Memorial Coalition, described the situation during the unification as “hectic.”

Jang Eun-ju (46), a daycare teacher, also said, "I think it's stronger that I don't know about the change itself," and added, "Change is needed not only in large-scale projects but also in areas that touch our lives, such as welfare, care, and public transportation."

Regarding attracting a semiconductor cluster, Kim Jong-pil (50), secretary general of the Gwangju Environmental Movement Federation, said, "I have a strong hope that semiconductors will succeed and become established in the Honam region," but added, "Water and electricity issues should not be solved based on the sacrifice of local residents."

Lee Seong-min (32), who visited his hometown of Gwangju while working at SK Hynix, said, "Just because a semiconductor factory is established will not immediately bring quality jobs to the region," and emphasized, "There must be connections between partner companies, research and development personnel, and employment at local universities."