The Heated 'Battle' in Changwon Uichang By-election ... Kim Young-sun vs Kim Ji-soo, Candidate Debate

“Is a lawmaker's position for retirement plans? Why is a Seoul metropolitan 'migratory bird' in Changwon?”

“Moon's nuclear phase-out policy destroyed Changwon companies, can't you stop personal attacks?”

Kim Young-sun, the People Power Party candidate for Changwon Chang district in Gyeongnam (left), and Kim Ji-soo, the Democratic Party candidate, are having a debate. [Image source: Screenshot from KNN Gyeongnam Broadcasting YouTube channel]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The by-election for the National Assembly, held simultaneously with the June 1 nationwide local elections, is also heating up.

Kim Young-seon, the People Power Party candidate for Changwon-si Uichang-gu in Gyeongnam, and Kim Ji-soo, the Democratic Party candidate, faced off in a TV debate on the 20th.

At the debate hosted by KNN Gyeongnam that day, the two candidates engaged in sharp exchanges over traffic issues related to the Starfield store in Uichang-gu, the development of Sahwa Park in Changwon, and the Moon Jae-in administration’s nuclear phase-out policy.

Candidate Kim Young-seon stated, “With Starfield coming in, traffic congestion is expected around Unicity, and there is even a private special project to build private apartment complexes in Sahwa Park. The Democratic Party’s Changwon city administration had four years to establish a win-win agreement to resolve these issues with Starfield, but no agreement was made.”

He criticized the lack of measures to address worsening traffic problems and school shortages caused by Sahwa Park development, saying that the park creation costs were cut by as much as 100 billion won from the original amount, which only benefits construction companies.

Candidate Kim Ji-soo responded, “The People Power Party is politically exploiting Starfield to lower Changwon city’s negotiating power and is criticizing it,” adding, “Cooperation with Changwon city is necessary to raise a united voice with the residents.”

Kim also rebutted, “The private developer’s development profits worth 100 billion won from purchasing public land were made not from Sahwa Park but from Unicity,” calling it “an already settled issue.”

Candidate Kim Young-seon pointed out, “The Moon Jae-in government’s nuclear phase-out policy politically oppressed Gyeongnam and Changwon, leading to the collapse of Doosan Heavy Industries and the local nuclear industry, with damages amounting to 7.2 trillion won and about 10,000 unemployed.”

Candidate Kim Ji-soo said, “The problem was exacerbated by difficulties faced by Doosan Construction, a Doosan Heavy Industries affiliate, since 2010,” and added, “The Moon Jae-in government’s energy transition policy was a policy that had to align with global trends.”

He also mentioned efforts to assist Doosan Heavy Industries and its partner companies to alleviate corporate difficulties.

That day, candidate Kim Young-seon promised ▲ phased tram installation ▲ creation of high-quality jobs through aviation mobility, small modular reactor industry, and smart industrial complexes ▲ resolution of school shortages and provision of excellent education.

Candidate Kim Ji-soo pledged ▲ significant relaxation of single-family housing regulations in Changwon’s old downtown ▲ revitalization and completion of projects in rural-centered areas ▲ improvement of transportation and school issues in new towns ▲ establishment of a medical school at Changwon National University ▲ construction of a high-speed rail line between Dongdaegu and Changwon ▲ creation of a smart green industrial complex ▲ relocation of metropolitan area companies to the region.

Candidate Kim Ji-su of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Image source=Screenshot from KNN Gyeongnam Broadcasting YouTube channel]

Concluding the debate, candidate Kim Ji-soo said, “Local areas can no longer be a stepping stone for bureaucrats who have exhausted their careers or politicians who have used up their political power, nor a place for retirement plans,” adding, “I cannot accept someone who has spent their entire political life for metropolitan area interests becoming the representative of Gyeongnam.”

“Driving out such political opportunists is the pride of local residents,” he said, “and I will work with the residents of Uichang-gu for regional development.”

Kim Young-sun, People Power Party candidate. [Image source=Screenshot from KNN Gyeongnam Broadcasting YouTube channel]

Candidate Kim Young-seon responded, “I want to do things that help the nation and the residents of Uichang-gu, Changwon, but personal attacks seem to be a characteristic of the Democratic Party,” adding, “Many migratory birds come to Junam Reservoir, and if you criticize like that, the migratory birds will feel hurt.”

He expressed his ambition, saying, “I will revive the Changwon economy, which was devastated by the loss of the nuclear industry, with new advanced industries and make Uichang the second Gangnam.”