Handonghun: "Relocating Korea Development Bank to Busan is the Top Priority... It Will Definitely Happen"

Attendance at Busan Future Job Field Meeting

Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, said on the 10th, "The relocation of the Korea Development Bank to Busan is a very high priority task for the People Power Party, and it will definitely happen."

Chairman Han made these remarks regarding the relocation of the Korea Development Bank to Busan at the 'Busan Future Job Field Meeting' held at the Asti Hotel Busan-type Workation Hub Center in Dong-gu, Busan, on the afternoon of the same day.

Regarding the law on the relocation of the Korea Development Bank to Busan, he said, "Currently, the bill is submitted to the National Assembly, but it has not passed due to opposition from the Democratic Party," and mentioned two promises. Chairman Han said, "First, we will do our best to pass the related law within the session, and second, we promise to win the general election to ensure the law for relocation to Busan is passed."

In response, Park Hyung-joon, Mayor of Busan, emphasized, "If President Roh Moo-hyun were here, he would have wholeheartedly supported the relocation," adding, "If the Korea Development Bank relocates, unlike other financial institutions, it will play a very important role as a policy financial institution in revitalizing the economy of Busan and the entire southern region."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Before visiting Busan, Chairman Han paid respects at the National 3.15 Democratic Cemetery in Changwon, Gyeongnam, in the morning and held a New Year's greeting meeting with the Gyeongnam Provincial Party. At the New Year's greeting meeting held at the Changwon Convention Center, he said, "We will prevent cases where lawmakers exploit trial delays by using parliamentary immunity," and added, "Even if this bill does not pass due to opposition from the Democratic Party, we will require a pledge from our party's candidates during the general election nomination process to keep this promise."

After his New Year's address, Chairman Han criticized the opposition party's unilateral passage of the 'Itaewon Disaster Special Act,' saying, "The investigative committee (Special Investigation Committee) is controlled by the opposition party and can conduct searches, impose travel bans, and issue accompaniment orders," and added, "If the opposition-led investigative committee conducts investigations at a level comparable to the prosecution for one and a half years, it will divide public opinion."

He continued, "Our party did not oppose the special law itself but wanted a fair special law that would not divide public opinion, that would commemorate the victims, comfort the bereaved families, and strengthen compensation," and criticized, "The special law passed solely by the Democratic Party does not meet these criteria." When asked whether they would recommend the president exercise the veto power, he said, "I understand that there will be careful discussions within the party."

He also said, "Gyeongnam has always presented solutions for Korea in important historical moments such as the March 15 Movement," and added, "We will solve the country's difficult issues with the spirit of Gyeongnam."