10.16 Busan, Incheon, Jeonnam By-elections Ahead
Kim Min-seok "Han Dong-hoon Blames Others for KDB Relocation"
Joo Cheol-hyun "Joguk Innovation Party Candidate Owns House in Gangnam"
The leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea threw a 'check' toward the People Power Party and the National Innovation Party ahead of the by-elections scheduled for the 16th of next month. Regarding local issues in the Busan area, where the ruling party has strong influence, they delivered critical messages aimed at Representative Han Dong-hoon, while for the competitive candidates in the 'stronghold' Honam region, they issued warnings against the National Innovation Party candidates.
On the morning of the 30th, Kim Min-seok, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, stated at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, "The People Power Party is the 'Busan Neglect Party' that has exploited Busan with lies," emphasizing, "What has Representative Han Dong-hoon (People Power Party) done after selling the Korea Development Bank to fight the general election?" The plan to relocate the Korea Development Bank headquarters from Jung-gu, Seoul, to Busan to achieve regional balanced development is a long-standing local demand. Representative Han pledged the relocation during the last general election and mentioned this again just the day before yesterday at the campaign office of Yoon Il-hyun, the candidate for the Busan Geumjeong-gu mayoral by-election.
On the morning of the 30th, the Democratic Party of Korea's Supreme Council meeting is taking place at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Supreme Council member Kim said, "Even Mayor Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party and the Korea Development Bank labor union could not be persuaded, so why blame the Democratic Party?" and added, "Isn't it the ruling party's official stance that things that could be done if Representative Han tries are not done?" He continued, "The public hospitals that Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung revived in Seongnam were abolished nationwide by the People Power Party," and claimed, "The Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongnam) mega-city and the Gadeokdo New Airport were promoted by the Busan Democratic Party but shaken by the Busan People Power Party."
Joo Cheol-hyun, Supreme Council member and chairman of the Democratic Party's Jeonnam Provincial Committee, spoke about the election battle unfolding in Yeonggwang-gun, Jeonnam. Supreme Council member Joo said, "Candidate Jang Hyun of the National Innovation Party owns a multi-billion won apartment in Gangnam, Seoul, but does not even have a single-room in Yeonggwang-gun," and launched an offensive, saying, "Since there is suspicion of violation of the Political Funds Act, the National Innovation Party must clearly explain this." He added, "Seeing Representative Jo Guk, who voluntarily lives in a monthly rental, it seems that after the election ends, he plans to leave Yeonggwang-gun immediately, and the candidate is also living in a side room," and criticized, "He is supposed to be a county head candidate but has not even prepared a small room."
Regarding the intensifying power struggle with the National Innovation Party, Chief Spokesperson Cho Seung-rae said, "This election should serve as a warning bell to the Yoon Seok-yeol government once again." However, he also checked the National Innovation Party, saying, "It is undesirable for an icebreaker to suddenly change its course and charge toward the essence."
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