Busan Mayor...Can Park Hyungjoon Win a Third Term? [2020 Local Election] ③

Mayor Park Hyungjoon Steps Up Campaign to Promote Achievements
Ruling Bloc Launches Major Offensive with "Relocation of Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan"
Minister Jeon Jaesoo Emerges as Potential Democratic Party Candidate

Editor's NoteThe Lee Jaemyung administration, which was launched on June 4, has yet to fully form its lineup. Both the ruling and opposition parties are busy forming new leadership teams. The 9th local elections are scheduled for June 3 next year, just 11 months away. While this may seem like a long time, that's not necessarily the case. Behind the scenes, the race for the local elections has already begun. Next year's local elections are particularly noteworthy as they will take place just one year after the Lee Jaemyung administration came to power. There is keen interest in how the current map of metropolitan mayors and governors-currently 11 for the People Power Party and 5 for the Democratic Party-will change, whether the Democratic Party will secure local power in addition to legislative and administrative power, and whether the People Power Party can hold onto Seoul. Asia Economy's current affairs YouTube channel, 'AK Radio,' examined which figures are being discussed as potential candidates for next year's local elections: ① Seoul Mayor ② Gyeonggi Governor ③ Busan Mayor

In the last presidential election, President Lee Jaemyung received 40.14% of the vote in Busan, becoming the first Democratic Party candidate to surpass 40% in the region. Kim Moonsu of the People Power Party received 51.39%. Adding Lee Joonseok of the Reform New Party's 7.55% brings the conservative bloc to 58.94%, which exceeds Yoon Sukyeol's 58.25% in the 2022 election. This demonstrates the continued presence of a strong conservative base in Busan, even during periods of martial law or impeachment crises. Of Busan's 16 districts, President Lee won only Gangseo-gu.

The landscape has shifted since the presidential election. A local political insider in Busan commented, "With President Lee responding swiftly to various issues, more people are saying that he 'gets things done.'" The ruling party is pushing for the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, hoping for an "Again 2018" scenario. In the 2017 presidential election, candidate Moon Jaein received 38.71% of the vote in Busan. However, in the 7th local elections the following year, the Democratic Party swept not only the Busan mayoral seat but also 13 out of 16 district and county head positions, except for Seo-gu, Suyeong-gu, and Gijang-gun. President Lee's vote share in this election was even higher than Moon's. With the election taking place just one year into the administration and no prominent figures or factions in the People Power Party, the ruling party sees a real opportunity in next year's Busan mayoral race.

Within the People Power Party, aside from incumbent Busan Mayor Park Hyungjoon, who is seeking a third term, no other strong contenders have emerged. The advantages of being the incumbent, his rational image with moderate conservative leanings, and the conservative dominance in the region all work in Mayor Park's favor. The election of Lee Sungkwon (Saha-gap) and Park Sunghoon (Buk-eul) to the 22nd National Assembly-both of whom worked closely with Mayor Park as Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs and Special Economic Advisor, respectively-is also noteworthy. Additionally, Mayor Park's long-term development strategies, such as the balanced innovation strategy to make Busan one of Korea's twin pillars alongside Seoul, have highlighted his strategic mindset.

However, criticisms persist that while his tenure has been smooth, there have been "no tangible achievements" and "insufficient communication with citizens." As the election heats up, the ruling party may intensify attacks over issues such as the "failure to secure the Expo" and the "construction of the new Gadeokdo Airport." Mayor Park has begun to take active steps to defend his position. At the "21st Presidential Busan Pledge National Agenda Report" on July 5, he emphasized his unwavering commitment to initiatives such as relocating the Korea Development Bank and enacting a special law for a global hub city, calling these "national promises" that must be fulfilled.

Within the People Power Party, other names being mentioned include Representatives Cho Kyungtae (Saha-eul) and Kim Doeup (Gangseo), as well as former Busan Mayor Suh Byungsoo. Six-term lawmaker Cho, who is running for party leader, is expected to clarify his intentions after the August 22 convention. There are also reports that he is more interested in becoming a seven-term district representative than running for mayor. Four-term lawmaker Kim Doeup, who has served as Policy Committee Chair and Judiciary Committee Chair, and former Mayor Suh Byungsoo have not shown any particular movement so far.

On the Democratic Party side, the most prominent figure is Jeon Jaesoo, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries (Buk-gu-gap, three-term lawmaker). His appointment as minister has elevated his political stature. At his confirmation hearing on July 14, he stated, "I will establish a base for the era of Arctic shipping routes. As the first step, I will ensure the smooth relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan. Furthermore, I will attract related institutions and major shipping companies."

There is a strong possibility that he will run for mayor, leveraging the achievement of relocating the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan. While Jeon faces the burden of being the only incumbent Democratic Party lawmaker in Busan, if the party leadership deems the mayoral race more important, his position could change at any time. He must resign at least 90 days before the election to run, which means he would need to step down by the end of February. On July 25, President Lee Jaemyung stated, "We will promptly carry out the relocation of national agencies, including the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, to Busan to the extent possible," signaling an acceleration of the process.

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Choi Inho, former lawmaker (Saha-gap, two-term) and former co-chair of the Busan election campaign committee, has also expressed his determination to run for mayor, currently serving as chair of the Democratic Party's Busan City Policy Evaluation and Alternatives Committee. Park Jaeho, former lawmaker (Nam-gu-eul, two-term), who served as a grassroots campaign chair in Busan during the last presidential election, is also making moves. Other names being discussed include Lee Jaesung, Busan City Party Chair and former director at NCSoft (Saha-gu-eul), and Byun Sungwan, former Deputy Mayor of Busan (Gangseo).

Although the conservative dominance in Busan is being challenged, it is still too early to make a definitive judgment about the overall situation. A political insider in Busan remarked, "Depending on how President Lee Jaemyung is evaluated as the June 3, 2025 election approaches, the landscape could change significantly." This underscores the volatility of public sentiment in Busan.