Pandemic in Small Town Korea

Yoeju’s town center can be described as a quiet agricultural hub for the surrounding residents of the area. In the center you can find the usual businesses: cafes, sandwich shops, bars, bakeries, grocery stores and the other typical outlets that dot towns and cities throughout Korea. 

Yeoju’s population is currently at 111,705 residents and one news paper (Kyeongin) reported last month that Yeoju saw a population rise of 0.13 % (14 people) the previous year. Comparing Yeoju’s population size to that of Seoul and Busan would make it appear ailing and far to small to sport ‘city’ status – with Seoul and Busan boasting populations nearing ten million and three and a half million respectively.

However, to take the second figure quoted above, that of people population increase, gives us a different picture. Yeoju’s increase was nothing spectacular but, it did grow. Unlike the larger cities in Korea such as Seoul and Busan.

Last year Seoul’s population dropped from 10,183,705 to 9,794,304 and Busan’s population dropped from 3,655,349 to 3,414,950.  Giving population declines of 3.8% (389,401) and 6.6% (240,399).

Arguably because of Yeoju’s steady population rise, and despite its size, Yeoju is soon to get ‘city’ status. This has brought local residents to life with debate on the pros and cons of such a branding. Frequenters of Yeoju Shijang (market) seem all of a flutter about the matter. And she, Yeoju, has been acting rather differently recently.

The local zeitgeist shift might not be exclusively due to its potential status change. The shift could be attributed to a myriad of factors: the near constant construction of new buildings (and an amusement park), the opening of more corporate businesses, Yeoju’s new library...well, I’m sure you get the picture.  

Korea’s current economy, that has recently succumbed to the global economic downturn and seen a 1.4% fall in its exports, has resulted in Yeojuians demanding a change of approach from the politically nominated. All of the recent changes in Yeoju, whether for better or worse, and the upcoming elections have resulted in something contagious here in our beloved town, soon to be city. Election fever.  

Residents of Yeoju, known throughout Korea for being reserved and polite folk, are being barraged daily with loud music and booming announcements from glowing trucks. Commuters too and from the town are met with brightly dressed party members on street corners who supply complimentary bows to all. Delegate images appear repetitively on posters of walls and poles. Suited men stand in walking street preaching manifesto and change. It’s all something oh so foreign to us foreigners. Some delegates are going further to buy votes and dispensing free wet-wipes and candy.

It seems that Yeoju has reached climax but, despite all of the hype and noise, election fever is still in its early stages. The upcoming election is for seats in the National Assembly and is seen by most Korean citizens as the smaller of the country wide elections. Intensity is said to increase as the months go by and peak in December with the presidential elections, which Lee Myung Bak must step down. Until then, it’s recommended to avoid standing too close to campaign trucks with speakers stock up on wet-wipes.