Democratic Party Supreme Council Members Visit Busan: "Judge the Expo Failure in the By-Election"

10·16 Busan Geumjeong-gu Mayor Election Campaign Support
Jeon Hyun-hee and Lee Eon-ju Emphasize "Election to Judge Current Administration"
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The Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea and the Democratic Party Busan City Party visited Busan Anti-Japanese Street to criticize the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's 'failure to attract the Expo.' The Democratic Party is promoting the 'judgment against the Yoon administration' in preparation for the upcoming October 16 Busan Geumjeong District Mayor by-election.

On the afternoon of the 6th, Supreme Council member Jeon Hyun-hee stated at a press conference held at Busan Anti-Japanese Street, "I am here today to wish for the Democratic Party's victory in the Busan Geumjeong District Mayor by-election," adding, "I believe this election is a judgment against the Yoon administration, which is ruining South Korea and Busan, and against Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon." Supreme Council member Lee Eon-ju, Busan City Party Chairman Lee Jae-sung, and Geumjeong District Mayor candidates Lee Jae-yong and Jo Jun-young also attended the conference.

Jeon, the Supreme Council member, criticized, "Despite Busan and the government pouring in enormous budgets, they suffered a crushing defeat in the Expo bidding," calling it "a result of giving false hope to the people and deceiving the citizens of Busan." She added, "A thorough investigation is needed on how the budget was used," and said, "We will conduct a thorough verification through the National Assembly audit and investigation." Busan City failed to attract the Expo (2030 World Expo) last November, losing to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Supreme Council member Lee Eon-ju said, "The Yoon administration shows no response even when threats are made regarding Dokdo sovereignty," and added, "They even appear to sympathize with such behavior." She continued, "As the main opposition party and a party committed to upholding the constitution, the Democratic Party will not tolerate such conduct," and added, "The judgment will begin with this by-election."

Busan City Party Chairman Lee Jae-sung emphasized, "We will definitely address the Expo mismanagement and the water cleaning incident involving Representative Lee Jae-myung." Chairman Lee claimed, "When asked where the Expo bidding budget was spent, they could not answer," and "Also, the police cleaned the scene with water where Representative Lee almost lost his life (in Busan)."

On November 28 last year, one day before the decision to host Expo 2030, a citizen dressed as the Statue of Liberty performed at the Gwanghwamun intersection in Jongno-gu, Seoul, hoping for Busan's successful bid. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

The Busan Geumjeong District Mayor position became vacant due to the death of the previous People Power Party mayor. The ruling party has a strong presence, and five preliminary candidates have registered within the People Power Party, leading to a fierce internal election. The Party for National Innovation has nominated lawyer Ryu Je-sung as its sole candidate, and the Reform New Party is currently searching for a candidate.