"Running as an Independent After Leaving the Party Is an Unjustified Action"
Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, visited Ganghwa-gun, Incheon on the 27th to support Park Yong-chul, a candidate from the same party running in the October 16 Ganghwa-gun mayoral by-election.
At the launch ceremony of Park's election campaign committee, Han said, "We will start the journey of fruitful results and politics that residents want from Ganghwa." He added, "We will take this opportunity to study and practice how the People Power Party can become a strength for Ganghwa. We will definitely keep our promises and engage in politics that considers the residents of Ganghwa."
Han also made remarks targeting Ahn Sang-soo, who left the party and is running as an independent candidate ahead of the Ganghwa mayoral election. He said, "Despite having the opportunity for a primary, leaving the party to run is an unjustified act that betrays the hopes of the residents," emphasizing, "As the party leader, I say there will be no reinstatement." Ganghwa is a region where the People Power Party is dominant, as evidenced by National Assembly member Bae Jun-young's successful re-election. However, since Ahn served three terms as a National Assembly member in Ganghwa and twice as mayor of Incheon, it is judged that his candidacy as an independent could negatively affect Park's chances of winning. Park stated, "I will stabilize Ganghwa faster than anyone else. I will inherit what needs to be inherited and clearly change what needs to be changed," adding, "I will listen to the voices of the youth who say that Ganghwa needs to be a place where people can live, rather than just a good place to live."
Afterwards, Han visited the Incheon Ganghwa-gun branch of the Korea Senior Citizens Association and Ganghwa Pungmul Market to appeal for support for Park. The head of the Senior Citizens Association requested support for welfare centers, noting the high proportion of elderly residents in Ganghwa. In response, Han said, "We need strength to solve Ganghwa's problems." He continued, "We are the ruling party, we have a National Assembly member representing the district, and the city party chairman, including myself, have a passionate heart and love for Ganghwa," emphasizing, "We will do our best to show this in the upcoming election."
At Ganghwa Pungmul Market, Han personally purchased kimchi, salted seafood, sweet potatoes, and rice cakes, and had lunch featuring seasonal dishes such as raw gizzard shad and marinated crab. On the 28th, Han plans to visit Geumjeong-gu, Busan, to support Yoon Il-hyun, the candidate for Geumjeong-gu mayoral by-election.
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