Democratic Party: "Do Not Exploit This for Political Strife" vs People Power Party: "Deep Concern Over Partisan Thinking"
At Meeting of Four Regional Governors, Governor Kim Criticizes Kang Hoonshik from Chungcheong Region as "Irresponsible"
Comments made by Kim Taeheum, Governor of Chungnam Province, regarding the government's plan to relocate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan have escalated into a war of nerves between the two major parties.
At a breakfast meeting of the governors of the four Chungcheong region cities and provinces held in Sejong on the 19th, Kim stated, "Now, Kang Hoonshik, a lawmaker from the Chungcheong region, has become the Chief Presidential Secretary. But if the Chief Secretary simply stands by while government ministries belonging to the Chungcheong region are dispersed elsewhere, how can he continue his political career in the Chungcheong region? That would be irresponsible."
As these remarks sparked controversy, the Chungnam Provincial Chapter of the Democratic Party issued a statement on the 20th, saying, "Governor Kim, together with People Power Party leaders from the Chungcheong region, has raised issues with the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and even brought up comments from the Chief Presidential Secretary, who is also from the Chungcheong region. This is a typical example of outdated politics that stirs up regional animosity and hinders national cooperation."
The statement went on to strongly criticize, "Do not exploit President Lee Jaemyung's pledge to relocate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan as a tool for political strife."
On the same day, the Chungnam Provincial Chapter of the People Power Party immediately responded after the Democratic Party's statement was released, saying, "We would like to ask whether the Democratic Party's claim that expressing concerns about the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan constitutes outdated politics that incites regional animosity is not itself a partisan view."
They added, "It is only natural and the duty of local leaders for the four Chungcheong region governors to discuss regional issues at the launch of the new government and, in the process, to express concerns about the move to relocate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan."
On the morning of the 19th, Kim Taeheum, Governor of Chungnam Province, is speaking at a hotel in Eojindong, Sejong City, regarding the new government's plan to relocate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan. Photo by Pyo Yoonji
In contrast to the political strife between the two parties, the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan appears to be gaining momentum. According to a report from the National Policy Planning Committee, the ministry will establish a 'Relocation Promotion Task Force' (tentative name) next month. The task force will be responsible for supporting matters such as securing land and construction for the new government complex, as well as handling administrative procedures, budgets, and personnel related to the relocation.
The full-fledged roadmap for the ministry's relocation is expected to be released around August. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is expected to select the site by comprehensively considering factors such as the efficiency of related agencies' operations, the symbolic significance of Busan as a maritime city, and employee morale.
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