A Check on Kim Moon Soo's Pledge to Relocate Korea Development Bank
Lee: "Politics Is About Fulfilling Promises That Can Be Kept"
Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, visited Busan on the 14th and pledged to relocate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the shipping company HMM (formerly Hyundai Merchant Marine) to Busan.
Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is shaking hands with Kwon Ki Heung, chairman of the H Line Shipping and Maritime Workers' Union, after signing the Marine Capital Busan agreement in Seomyeon, Busanjin-gu, Busan on the 14th. Photo by Yonhap News
During a major campaign rally in Seomyeon, a bustling area of Busan, Lee stated, "For Korea to become a true maritime nation and for Busan to become the capital of the maritime industry, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries must play a crucial role."
He added, "Normally, government agencies must coordinate with each other, so they should not be scattered. However, I will make an exception for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and relocate it to Busan. I make this promise to you."
Lee also said, "That alone is not enough. To prepare for the opening of the Arctic route, shipping companies must also move in. I will ensure that HMM, Korea's largest shipping company, relocates to Busan."
He acknowledged, "Of course, since it is a private company, it will not be easy. However, since the government holds a stake, it is not impossible if we set our minds to it. The biggest obstacle to relocating the company is the employees, but I have heard that the employees have agreed."
During the campaign, a 'policy pledge' event was held with the participation of Jeon Jae Soo, chairman of the Busan election committee and the Arctic Route Development Committee, as well as representatives from the HMM labor union.
However, Lee expressed a negative stance on the proposal by Kim Moon Soo, the People Power Party candidate, to relocate the Korea Development Bank to Busan, calling it "a difficult task."
Lee said, "For balanced regional development, it would be great to move the Bank of Korea, the Korea Development Bank, and the Housing Bank (now KB Kookmin Bank), all located in Seoul, to Busan. But is that really possible?" He added, "Politics is about making promises that can be fulfilled and being verified and re-elected by keeping them." Regarding Kim's proposal, he said, "The relocation of the Korea Development Bank cannot be done unilaterally," and directly criticized, "It is a deceptive and impossible promise."
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