Ha Tae-kyung: "Election Victory Heroes, Jin Joong-kwon, Kim Kyung-yul, Seo Min"... Jin Joong-kwon: "The True Winner is Saengtaetang"

Ha Tae-kyung "Jin Joong-kwon, Kim Kyung-yul, Seo Min, Let's Stay Together Until the End"

On the afternoon of the 7th, Park Hyung-jun, the elected mayor of Busan, is watching the exit poll results at the Busanjin-gu election office and conversing with Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Amid the People Power Party's landslide victory in the April 7 by-elections, Rep. Ha Tae-kyung of the People Power Party credited former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon, Dankook University Medical School professor Seo Min, and accountant Kim Kyung-yul for their significant help on the 8th. In response, former professor Jin criticized the ruling party's repeated claims about the 'Saengtaetang restaurant' controversy, stating, "The true winner of this election is Saengtaetang."

Ha, who led the Busan mayoral by-election as the chairman of the Busan City Party Committee, wrote on his Facebook that day, "Another key players in our party's victories in Seoul and Busan elections are Professor Jin Joong-kwon, accountant Kim Kyung-yul, and Professor Seo Min, the team behind the black book on Cho Kuk," expressing his gratitude.

He continued, "When our party was lost and wandering in a dark tunnel, they accurately criticized the Moon Jae-in administration and the Democratic Party's double standards and guided the public sentiment in the right direction," emphasizing their role.

He also said, "Whenever our party showed shortcomings, they wielded a sharp whip to awaken us," adding, "Thanks to their criticism, the People Power Party became better, which led to the support of the centrist voters," expressing his appreciation.

Furthermore, Rep. Ha stated, "Let's stay together until the end. Although there are small differences, there is still a long way to go for a fair Korea, a society where democracy and the rule of law are respected," and urged, "Let's fill each other's gaps and spur each other on as we move forward together."

Former Dongyang University Professor Jin Joong-kwon. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In this regard, former professor Jin said, "The true winner of this election is Saengtaetang." Through his Facebook, he sarcastically remarked, "Everyone now knows that (Saengtaetang) is so important that the entire ruling party rushed in." This appears to be a criticism of the 'Saengtaetang' dispute that arose during the contest between Seoul mayor-elect Oh Se-hoon and former Minister of SMEs and Startups Park Young-sun for the Seoul mayor position.

Earlier, on the 6th, former professor Jin also mocked the sudden cancellation of a press conference by the son of the Saengtaetang restaurant owner.

At that time, he posted on Facebook, "I have made a serious decision. I will hold a press conference shortly." One minute later, he posted again, saying, "The scheduled press conference was canceled due to terror threats from Park Young-sun supporters. I will request police protection," adding, "This country is one where righteous people are persecuted."

Meanwhile, the People Power Party achieved a sweeping victory in the April 7 Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections. According to the Central Election Commission the previous day, in the Seoul mayoral by-election, candidate Oh won with a final vote share of 57.5%, defeating former Minister Park, who garnered 39.18% of the votes.

In the Busan mayoral by-election, Park Hyung-joon was elected with 62.67% of the votes, while Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Young-chun received 34.42%.