Candidates Jeon Jae-soo of the Democratic Party (left) and Park Hyung-jun of the People Power Party for the Busan mayoral election [Photo=Yonhap News]
In a heated debate on May 18, Busan mayoral candidates Jeon Jae-soo of the Democratic Party and Park Hyung-jun of the People Power Party exchanged accusations over various allegations, including the promotion of Busan as a maritime capital.
The candidates participated in a debate hosted by the International Newspaper at Pukyong National University’s Daeyeon Campus, where they raised suspicions against each other.
During his opening remarks, Park brought up allegations of Jeon receiving money from the Unification Church, stating, "He should answer honestly whether he received 'Cartier' or 'did not receive anything' instead of saying 'I did not receive anything.'" He also questioned, "Four of his aides were indicted for evidence destruction; does he claim he was completely unaware of this?"
In response, Jeon countered, "The results came from a four-month intensive investigation. We must wait for the trial results regarding the aides' evidence destruction." He then pointed out, "Park promised to sell LCT but did not, and the capital gains from it, amounting to roughly 10 billion won, are under his wife and children's names. Many believe he could not keep his promise to sell LCT due to these capital gains."
Park replied, "Are you combining separate items to claim a capital gain of 10 billion won? How can you know about capital gains when it hasn’t even been sold?"
Regarding the increase in sales at the gallery operated by his wife during his tenure as mayor, which rose from 5 billion won to 20 billion won, Park stated, "Most of the sales from the gallery came from overseas, contributing to Busan's economy. If there is even a hint of corruption related to the gallery, I will not run for mayor of Busan again."
The candidates also clashed over the agenda of elevating Busan to a maritime capital. Jeon emphasized, "As the first Minister of Oceans and Fisheries under the Lee Jae-myung government, I included the maritime capital of Busan in the national agenda. The labor-management agreement for HMM's relocation to Busan has also been finalized. The one who started this will finish it."
Conversely, Park criticized Jeon regarding the Busan Global Hub Special Law, which is pending in the National Assembly, stating, "Jeon proposed this law and claimed it would pass this session, but after a comment from the president, the narrative changed as if there were issues with the law. To claim we can create a maritime capital without passing this law is contradictory."
The candidates participated in a debate hosted by the International Newspaper at Pukyong National University’s Daeyeon Campus, where they raised suspicions against each other.
During his opening remarks, Park brought up allegations of Jeon receiving money from the Unification Church, stating, "He should answer honestly whether he received 'Cartier' or 'did not receive anything' instead of saying 'I did not receive anything.'" He also questioned, "Four of his aides were indicted for evidence destruction; does he claim he was completely unaware of this?"
In response, Jeon countered, "The results came from a four-month intensive investigation. We must wait for the trial results regarding the aides' evidence destruction." He then pointed out, "Park promised to sell LCT but did not, and the capital gains from it, amounting to roughly 10 billion won, are under his wife and children's names. Many believe he could not keep his promise to sell LCT due to these capital gains."
Park replied, "Are you combining separate items to claim a capital gain of 10 billion won? How can you know about capital gains when it hasn’t even been sold?"
Regarding the increase in sales at the gallery operated by his wife during his tenure as mayor, which rose from 5 billion won to 20 billion won, Park stated, "Most of the sales from the gallery came from overseas, contributing to Busan's economy. If there is even a hint of corruption related to the gallery, I will not run for mayor of Busan again."
The candidates also clashed over the agenda of elevating Busan to a maritime capital. Jeon emphasized, "As the first Minister of Oceans and Fisheries under the Lee Jae-myung government, I included the maritime capital of Busan in the national agenda. The labor-management agreement for HMM's relocation to Busan has also been finalized. The one who started this will finish it."
Conversely, Park criticized Jeon regarding the Busan Global Hub Special Law, which is pending in the National Assembly, stating, "Jeon proposed this law and claimed it would pass this session, but after a comment from the president, the narrative changed as if there were issues with the law. To claim we can create a maritime capital without passing this law is contradictory."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.