[General Election Rivals] 'Counter-Accusation' Blood Battle... Naso-yeol VS Jang Dong-hyeok Rematch in Chungnam Boryeong-Seocheon

Second showdown following the 2022 by-elections
'Re-election bid' Jang Dong-hyeok vs 'Five attempts, six challenges' Na So-yeol

In the 22nd general election for the Boryeong-si Seocheon-gun constituency in Chungnam, Jang Dong-hyeok of the People Power Party and Na So-yeol of the Democratic Party of Korea are facing off. This is their second contest after a nail-biting race with a 1.03% point difference in the 2022 by-election, where Jang emerged victorious. Both candidates have filed complaints against each other twice with the Election Commission, engaging in a fierce battle.

Candidate Jang serves as the Secretary-General of the People Power Party and the General Headquarters Chief of the Central Election Countermeasures Committee. Despite being a first-term lawmaker, he holds key positions in the party, demonstrating his presence in both central and local politics. Candidate Na has served as the mayor of Seocheon-gun three times. He has run in the 15th, 16th, 20th, and 21st general elections, as well as the 2022 by-election, but has yet to succeed. This election marks his sixth attempt.

On the 1st, Jang filed an objection with the Boryeong City Election Commission, claiming that false information was included in Na’s campaign materials. Na immediately refuted this and countered by filing a complaint with the Election Commission accusing Jang of spreading false information. On the 3rd and 4th, another round of complaints ensued, with Jang accusing Na of underreporting assets and Na counterattacking. Asia Economy directly interviewed both candidates to hear their perspectives.

-What is your main campaign pledge?

Jang Dong-hyeok: I will strengthen the region’s industrial base to attract quality companies and create many jobs to address the problem of population decline. To this end, I plan to designate Boryeong City as a ‘Carbon Neutral Energy Special Zone’ to transform it into a future energy city. Especially, to prevent economic downturns and unemployment caused by the energy transition process, I will propose a special law to provide support. For Seocheon-gun, I will complete the ongoing marine bio-cluster project and develop it into a ‘Central Region Marine Bio Convergence Zone.’

Jang Dong-hyeok, the People Power Party candidate for Boryeong City and Seocheon County in Chungnam, is conducting election campaigns ahead of the 22nd general election.
[Photo by Jang Dong-hyeok's campaign team]

Na So-yeol: Since self-employed people and small business owners are facing the greatest difficulties, I will implement corresponding policy support. I will significantly increase the budget to convert high-interest debt repayments into low-interest loans, introduce long-term installment repayment programs, and revitalize local markets through the expansion of local currency. I will also secure quality jobs through the expansion of energy sector projects such as Boryeong’s blue hydrogen energy production base and Seocheon’s marine bio valley and other new industries.

Naso-yeol, the Democratic Party candidate, submitted his candidacy registration documents to the Boryeong City Election Commission on the 21st of last month.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

-Is there any local activity you would like to emphasize?

Jang Dong-hyeok: I have actively worked to secure budgets as a member of the Budget and Accounts Special Committee’s Budget Subcommittee for two consecutive years in the National Assembly. As a result, Boryeong-si Seocheon-gun secured the largest national funding ever. To support Boryeong, where coal-fired power plants were prematurely shut down under the previous government, I proposed the ‘Special Act on Support for Areas with Coal-Fired Power Plant Closures.’ Also, based on the ‘Janghang National Wetland Restoration Project,’ which passed the preliminary feasibility study last year, I will strive to have it upgraded to a national garden in the future.

Na So-yeol: The ‘100-won taxi’ initiative, the first of its kind nationwide, has become a model for transportation welfare in remote villages thanks to active policy promotion by the central government. Additionally, I established the nation’s first successful amenity city model and contributed to Chungnam’s new leap forward by attracting an innovation city. I served as the first Blue House Secretary for Autonomy and Decentralization in Korea, dedicating efforts to balanced national development and the establishment of local autonomy. I also served as Korea’s first Minister of Culture and Sports.

-Are you confident of winning?

Jang Dong-hyeok: Election results cannot be guaranteed until the very end. I will devote everything until the last moment to appeal to the residents of Boryeong-si Seocheon-gun and wait for that earnest sentiment to reach them. The person who can solve the region’s long-standing issues and perform well must be entrusted to achieve regional development. I am confident that I can take responsibility for the future of Boryeong-si Seocheon-gun.

Na So-yeol: I am confident of victory. The Yoon Seok-yeol administration’s neglect of people’s livelihoods, incompetence, and arrogant unfairness through prosecutorial dictatorship have sufficiently angered the public. Especially, I feel that sympathy for Na So-yeol, who is making his sixth attempt after five failures, is greater than ever. Even the elderly are cheering, saying ‘Na So-yeol must win this time.’ This time, I promise to repay with victory for the people, Korea, Boryeong-si Seocheon-gun, and its residents.