Lee Jae-myung: "Am I the Owner of Hwacheon Daeyu? I Have an Adversarial Relationship with the Development Forces"

On the 24th, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential primary candidate, is announcing policies at the Gyeongnam Provincial Council main conference room. Photo by Sanghyun Lee lsh2055@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential primary candidate and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "I am not the owner of Hwacheon Daeyu but was in an adversarial relationship opposing the development forces."

On the 24th, Lee actively explained the 'Daejang-dong development' during his visit to Changwon, Gyeongnam.

Lee said, "At the time, the government policy was that the public sector should not intervene in urban development and leave it entirely to the private sector, but it was obvious that problems would arise if the private sector proceeded unilaterally," adding, "Guaranteeing a certain amount of public interest regardless of the success of the development through contracts is an excellent example of a public-private joint public development."

Regarding the connection with Hwacheon Daeyu, he said, "If I were the owner of Hwacheon Daeyu, why would they have been burdened with an additional 92 billion won for infrastructure development? From the planning stage of the project, the development forces and I were in constant conflict and an adversarial relationship," and added, "The public is smarter than politicians, so they will come to know what the truth is."

Concerning the presidential election, Lee emphasized, "There is not much difference between the pledges of the Democratic Party and other party candidates," and stated, "The candidate who actually has the driving force to implement them is me, Lee Jae-myung."

At the policy presentation held in the main conference room of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council that day, Lee pointed out, "The pledges currently out there have been repeated in every election for years. Many politicians promise every time, but no one has actually fulfilled them, so they remain."

Lee said, "Even now, no one knows who will keep their promises. But the past is a mirror reflecting the future. I have kept my promises, and that is why I currently have the support of the people."

The core of the pledges to develop the Gyeongnam region was the completion of the 'Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) Mega City.'

Lee pledged to expand transportation networks to establish a one-hour living zone in Bu-Ul-Gyeong, complete the new Gadeok Airport by 2030, promptly promote the Southeast region circular metropolitan railway connecting Ulsan, Yangsan, and Gimhae, and early completion of the Namhae-Yeosu undersea tunnel.

He also pledged to create a future hydrogen transportation leading model in the Southeast region by constructing hydrogen trams in Changwon and Ulsan, build an aerospace industry cluster in Gyeongnam, and expand public medical infrastructure in western Gyeongnam, aiming to develop a mega city equipped with transportation, industry, and medical facilities, increasing the current 8 million Gyeongnam population to 10 million.

Regarding local issues such as the establishment of a medical school in Changwon and the sale of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, he refrained from detailed comments, saying, "It is risky to forcibly resolve matters involving various interests as presidential pledges," and added, "More in-depth discussions are necessary."