By Professor Sungchun
“Isn’t it time for a change?”
Once regarded as the bastion of conservative politics in South Korea, the city of Daegu is now beginning to ask a different question. Traditionally unwavering in its support for right-leaning parties, this stronghold of nationalist sentiment and economic conservatism is showing early signs of transformation. At the heart of this change lies a name that would have been considered unlikely in years past: Lee Jae-myung, the progressive presidential candidate of the Democratic Party.
On 29 May, the Democratic Party’s national security delegation, together with the campaign’s central outreach team, held a series of community engagements in Daegu’s Dalseo district. I was honoured to join the event as senior campaign advisor and academic representative, alongside five-term lawmaker Ahn Gyu-baek.
What unfolded at the gathering was more than polite welcome. It was the sound of disillusionment finding a new voice. Citizens spoke openly: “The conservatives are no longer a viable choice,” “There’s no one worth voting for,” and finally, “We might as well choose Lee Jae-myung.” These remarks, once unthinkable in this city, now reflect a broader sense of discontent—disappointment with the established right and a tentative hope in the promise of reform.
The afternoon continued with a meeting involving the Daegu chapter of the Liberation Association and several veterans’ groups. Community leaders emphasised a quiet yet profound shift in local sentiment. “Daegu is changing, slowly but surely,” one remarked. “This election will be the clearest indicator yet.”
One such voice was that of the chairman of Daegu’s Liberation Association, who urged:
“This election must be a moment to restore national integrity—to honour the sacrifices of those who fought for Korea’s independence.”
His words echoed a theme long central to Korean political identity: that the legitimacy of governance stems not only from policy, but from its moral relation to historical justice. This point struck a particular chord with me, a descendant of patriots who fought and died for Korea’s sovereignty over three generations.
Perhaps the most striking voice came from Mr. Oh Se-gul, former chair of the Daegu Veterans’ Association. Describing himself as “a conservative to the core,” he nonetheless asserted:
“What we need now is not conservatism in name only, but a government that actually serves the people. After the emergency martial law scandal last December, trust in the conservative bloc has collapsed. President Yoon wrecked the integrity of the right. Those who still cling to him will lose not only Daegu, but the nation.”
Such statements cannot be dismissed as isolated frustration. They signal an emerging reckoning within traditional power bases. Disillusionment has not turned to apathy—it has evolved into a renewed call for leadership rooted in moral accountability and national stewardship.
From my own conversations with citizens, I felt a clear undercurrent:
“This time, we want to try something different.”
“Perhaps only Lee Jae-myung can carry Daegu into the future.”
Rethinking Conservatism
In Daegu, the question is no longer who best represents the conservative brand, but what it truly means to be conservative. For many, conservatism is not about preserving party loyalty or defending power. Rather, it is about protecting the dignity of the people, honouring history, and upholding the values of justice and civic responsibility.
True conservatism, when untethered from cronyism and ideology, finds common cause with reform. And in Daegu, a city long synonymous with immovable political loyalty, the early signs of such a transformation are now unmistakable.
This is not merely a shift in party preference. It is a recalibration of conscience.
Author:Mr.Sungchun Lee is Professor of North Korean Studies, Dongguk University | Senior
Advisor, Democratic Party National Security Policy Team
