Park "Using Ministerial Experience to End COVID-19", Woo "The Most Democratic Party-Like Candidate"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] As the primary voting for the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election begins on the 26th, Democratic Party preliminary candidates Park Young-sun and Woo Sang-ho held their final debate to capture last-minute votes. Candidate Park emphasized her policy competitiveness by mentioning her experience as Minister of SMEs and Startups, while Candidate Woo highlighted the Democratic Party's identity as a strength that could help consolidate the support base.

In the KBS debate held on the 25th, Candidate Park opened her closing remarks by saying, "Vaccinations will begin in 9 hours. I would like to once again thank the medical staff, small business owners, self-employed citizens, and everyone who has worked hard on COVID-19 prevention so far."

She then took out an LDS (Low Dead Space) vaccine syringe and said, "When I was Minister of SMEs and Startups, I persuaded the heads of technology-driven small businesses to the end to create a smart factory producing the so-called K-vaccine syringe, a squeeze-type syringe, enabling mass production of over 10 million units per month."

Candidate Park added, "This syringe, which became a topic because Japan was unprepared, leaves no residue and has achieved a vaccination revolution by allowing 1 million doses to be administered as 1.2 million doses," and emphasized, "The world is paying attention. If I become the mayor of Seoul, I will ensure thorough COVID-19 prevention and work to end COVID-19 quickly."

Candidate Woo said, "This election is a measure of whether the values and policies of the Democratic Party will continue or be broken," and stressed, "It is an election to protect President Moon Jae-in against forces trying to label him a failed president."

He continued, "We must choose who is the Democratic candidate that will protect the common people and the vulnerable, and who will support President Moon until the end. I have upheld my beliefs and loyalty without fear by throwing myself into the fight. Without fully consolidating the pro-democracy camp's support base, it is difficult to be confident of victory in this election." He added, "We need to think about who is the candidate that can best consolidate the support base."