"Actively Supported Instead...
A Clear Distortion of the Facts"
Joo Cheolhyun, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.
Joo Cheolhyun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Yeosu-gap, South Jeolla Province, announced on October 16 that he had filed a police complaint against a YouTuber on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act (spreading false information). The YouTuber allegedly disseminated the false claim that Joo opposed President Lee Jaemyung’s pledge to relocate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan.
In a press release issued the same day, Joo stated, “I have never once opposed President Lee Jaemyung’s pledge to relocate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan; on the contrary, I have actively supported it. This is a malicious act of fabricating falsehoods to distort the facts and influence the election.”
The YouTuber in question recently claimed on his channel that “Joo Cheolhyun is opposing the President’s pledge in order to run for governor of South Jeolla Province in next year’s local elections.” In response, Joo refuted, “This is completely untrue. It is a blatant act of spreading false agitation aimed at distorting the President’s policy agenda and confusing public opinion.”
Joo emphasized, citing records from the National Assembly’s Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans, and Fisheries Committee and his own social media activity, “The relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan is a key task for balanced regional development, and I have also clearly expressed my support for relocating shipping and maritime-related agencies and companies.”
Last month, during a subcommittee meeting on maritime legislation at the National Assembly, he also stated, “The relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan is a presidential pledge and a key government agenda, and it should include the relocation of the headquarters of private shipping companies such as HMM.”
However, Joo added, “Having the government relocate all maritime and fisheries agencies and private companies nationwide to Busan is an excessive measure that disregards the realities of fisheries-centered regions like South Jeolla Province. While I support relocating the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, I do not believe it is desirable to move the entire fisheries industry base of South Jeolla Province as well.”
He explained, “If Busan comes to monopolize the fisheries industry, balanced maritime development will become impossible. President Lee’s pledge was a balanced strategy to strengthen South Jeolla Province’s fisheries base while also establishing Busan as a hub for the maritime industry.”
Meanwhile, Joo stressed, “Going forward, I will respond firmly with legal action against any attempt to spread lies, disrupt fair elections, or distort healthy public opinion.”
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