"Sneaker Politics" vs "New Politics Innovation"... Damyang County Governor By-election Candidate Debate

Democratic Party's Lee Jaejong vs. Innovation Party's Jung Chulwon Face Off
Lee: "A Prosperous and Harmonious Damyang"
Jung: "Realizing the Residents' Will for Regional Development"

A TV debate hosted by the National Election Commission was broadcast live on April 25 at Gwangju MBC ahead of the April 2 Damyang County Governor by-election. Photo by Gwangju MBC

Ahead of the April 2 Damyang County mayoral by-election in Jeollanam-do, the official TV debate organized by the National Election Commission was broadcast live from Gwangju MBC for one hour starting at 2 p.m. on the 25th, with the candidates in attendance.

In this debate, Lee Jaejong, the candidate from the Democratic Party of Korea, and Jung Chulwon, the candidate from the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, faced off and appealed for support from the county residents.

Lee Jaejong, the Democratic Party candidate (No. 1), stated, "The April 2 Damyang County mayoral by-election is not simply about electing the head of Damyang County, but will serve as a barometer for the presidential election and a touchstone for the birth of a democratic government," adding, "I will repay you with 'sneaker politics' that works hard on the ground."

Jung Chulwon, the Cho Kuk Innovation Party candidate (No. 3), appealed, "This by-election will not end with the election of a single county mayor but will serve as a catalyst for the development of Damyang and a new political innovation in Jeollanam-do. Please choose a worker for the new changes in Damyang."

Candidate Jung attacked Lee by raising the 'native theory.' Introducing himself as a 'dirt spoon politician born and raised in the region,' he targeted Lee by asking, "Do you know what the long-standing project of Damjuri Village is?" and questioned him on detailed civil complaints from local residents.

In response, Lee counterattacked, saying, "There are bigger problems than the issues of Damjuri Village," and added, "You ran for county mayor while maintaining your position as chairman of the Damyang County Council and listed your Democratic Party experience in your career. How many times did you propose ordinances or question the administration during your three terms as a county council member?"

The two candidates continued to attack each other over their detailed pledges.

Lee questioned Jung on the funding plan for the construction and relocation of the county office, the issue of urban hollowing out due to the relocation, and the funding sources for pledges such as full support for infant, youth education, and medical expenses, as well as the establishment of a village nursing home.

Jung pressed Lee on his pledge to attract national projects worth over 100 billion KRW, asking, "Do you have a plan to secure the budget?" and actively challenged the feasibility of attracting the Gwangju open storage facility and a training center for athletes with disabilities.

Lee declared, "I embraced the world after leaving Damyang, and now I have returned to Damyang embracing the world," adding, "I will create a prosperous and harmonious Damyang together with the residents."

Jung emphasized, "If I become Damyang County mayor, I will repay the residents who elected me as a county council member three times," and stressed, "I will gather and realize the residents' will for regional development through change and innovation."

Meanwhile, the Damyang County mayoral by-election will have early voting on the 28th and 29th, followed by the main vote on the 2nd of next month.