Choi Jae-hyung: "Facing the Crisis of Local Extinction, Measures Must Be Taken"... First Regional Visit to Hometown Jinhae

On the afternoon of the 5th, Choi Jae-hyung, former Auditor General and presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is seen saluting after receiving a navy cap near the statue of the late Warrant Officer Han Ju-ho in Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Ju Cheol-in] Choi Jae-hyung, former head of the Board of Audit and Inspection and a presidential candidate of the People Power Party, visited Changwon, Gyeongnam on the 5th and said, "We are facing the crisis of local extinction. In the future, when establishing policies, we must consult with experts to prepare countermeasures."

Choi, whose hometown is Jinhae in Changwon, visited the National 3·15 Democratic Cemetery and made these remarks during a meeting with reporters.

Regarding his choice of Changwon City, Gyeongnam, for his first regional campaign after declaring his candidacy, he said, "Although it is now included in Changwon City, the place where I was born is Jinhae City," and added, "I thought it would be good to start my campaign with hometown supporters in the place where I was born."

At his candidacy announcement the day before, Choi mentioned that he respects former President Syngman Rhee.

The National 3·15 Cemetery he visited that day is a place commemorating the victims who protested against Syngman Rhee's fraudulent election.

Choi emphasized, "Former President Syngman Rhee has clear merits and demerits," and said, "In the chaotic situation after liberation where left and right ideologies clashed, we must clearly acknowledge his contribution to establishing the constitution based on liberal democracy and founding this country."

He continued, "The National 3·15 Democratic Cemetery is a symbolic place that shows the clear faults of former President Syngman Rhee," and summarized his position by saying, "I visited with the meaning of clearly recognizing both merits and demerits, overcoming the past with an accurate historical understanding, and uniting to move forward."

When asked about the direction of the Blue House reorganization, Choi said, "I think the Secretariat is too bloated. I will gradually explain specific plans."

Regarding support for vulnerable groups, he explained, "We need to design the disaster relief fund structure so that more support can practically reach those who are experiencing difficulties."

In response to criticism that he was unprepared because he could not answer properly at the candidacy announcement ceremony, he dismissed it by saying, "I honestly said that I did not know well what I did not know."

He added, "If I become president, I will place truly capable people in each field in the right places so that our country's administration is run by experts," and said, "I will fill in my shortcomings."

After visiting the National 3·15 Democratic Cemetery, Choi moved to Jinhae and visited the statue of the late Lieutenant Han Joo-ho, who died during the Cheonan ship search operation.

He laid flowers at Lieutenant Han Joo-ho’s statue, and when Navy UDT/SEAL comrades who visited the site gave him a hat as a gift, he wore the hat and responded with a salute. He then attended a meeting with the People Power Party Jinhae Party Members' Council and visited Jinhae Central Market to greet hometown residents.

Jinhae is also an inseparable region for Choi as it is home to the Korea Naval Academy, the alma mater of his late father, Colonel Choi Young-seop.