[Local Election Interview] Joo Jinwoo: "I Will End Busan's Vicious Cycle by Integrating Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam and Securing 50 Trillion Won"

"Busan's Vicious Cycle: Economic Stagnation, Tax Revenue Shortfall, Project Delays, and Youth Exodus"

"Genuine Opposition to the Democratic Party Will Be Judged by Party Members"

"20 trillion won in government funding is being provided to the Gwangju-Jeonnam Unified Special City. If Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, with their combined population of 8 million, are unified, we can confidently demand 50 trillion won in government funds from the central government based on population proportion. Only by taking decisive action to secure budget allocations and attract companies can we break the vicious cycle facing Busan."

On April 1, Assemblyman Joo Jinwoo, who is running in the People Power Party primary for Busan mayor in the 9th nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3, said in an interview with The Asia Business Daily in Busan, "Due to population decline and economic stagnation, local taxes are not being collected in Busan. As a result, it is difficult to pursue large infrastructure projects, which leads to a lack of jobs, causing young people to leave their hometown. This vicious cycle keeps repeating. Without a considerable shock therapy, there is no way out," he said.

Assemblyman Joo, who graduated from elementary, middle, and high school in Busan, is a politician who studied at Seoul National University Law School, passed the bar exam, and became a legal professional. He later worked at the prosecution service, the presidential office, the Financial Services Commission, and the Ministry of Justice before becoming a private lawyer, and succeeded in becoming a member of the 22nd National Assembly for the first time.

Regarding his reason for running in the primary, Assemblyman Joo said, "It's because of the crisis that Busan could be taken by the ruling party," and added, "The strategy of continuing as things are now (as advocated by Mayor Park Heongjoon) will make both the primary and the general election difficult."

Assemblyman Joo pointed to securing government funding and attracting companies through the integration of Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam as urgent tasks for Busan. He said, "Currently, the Gwangju-Jeonnam Administrative Integration Special Law includes over 400 special provisions, but the Busan Global Hub City Act has only about 80. To win the competition among local governments to attract companies, the mayor needs to act like a businessperson, revising laws and actively pursuing investment attraction." Regarding the western Busan and Nakdong River belt, which are representative underdeveloped areas, he promised to create a tourism and industrial belt, saying, "If Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam are integrated, the Nakdong River will become the central axis of the unified city, just as the Han River is for Seoul."

About Assemblyman Jeon Jaesoo, a strong Busan mayoral candidate from the Democratic Party, he said, "If it's Park Heongjoon versus Jeon Jaesoo, the election becomes a contest over the Busan city administration. But if I run against Assemblyman Jeon, the focus will be on what he has accomplished in Buk-gu. Busan's reform must be entrusted to clean hands," he said.

Regarding the recent move by Mayor Park's camp to accelerate its conservative image by recruiting Son Youngkwang, professor at Ulsan National University and son of Pastor Son Hyunbo of Saegye-ro Church, as co-head of the election campaign, he said, "Party members will evaluate the sincerity of those who have truly fought and bled while being criticized by the Democratic Party over the years."

The following is a Q&A with Assemblyman Joo.

- What made you decide to run when the party’s approval rating has fallen below 20%? Some are concerned about a gap in the party’s resistance to the ruling bloc.

▲Someone needs to step up when times are tough. I thought it was obvious that we would lose the general election if Mayor Park Heongjoon is nominated by acclamation. I decided to run because of the sense of crisis that Busan could be taken by the Democratic Party. I believe true politics is about stepping up even if it involves personal sacrifice. Some say that if I don’t run, there will be a gap in the party’s resistance to the ruling power. However, I believe that if the culture of nominating those who are good at fighting is established, even better warriors will emerge.

- How do you evaluate Mayor Park Heongjoon's administration?

▲While I would like to give him a score of 100, it seems citizens' expectations are not that high. There have been many criticisms regarding indiscriminate apartment development, failures in attracting companies, and delays in major projects. Mayor Park repeatedly mentions improved statistics, but there is a gap between the numbers and what citizens actually feel. The strategy of continuing as before will not work for either the primary or the general election.

- Busan is often described as 'the city of the elderly, apartments, and the sea.' What do you think are the causes of Busan's stagnation?

▲As the population declines and the economy stagnates, local tax revenue decreases, making it difficult to carry out large-scale infrastructure projects. This leads to a lack of jobs, reinforcing the vicious cycle of young people leaving. Unless a significant shock therapy is applied, it will be difficult to break out of this cycle. Two measures are needed. First, through the integration of Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, we must bring in 50 trillion won in government funding. Busan’s annual budget is 16 trillion won, but after fixed costs, there’s little left to do anything. We need to secure government funds to take on new challenges. Second, aggressive attraction of companies is necessary. For instance, the Gwangju-Jeonnam Administrative Integration Special Law has over 400 special provisions, but the Busan Global Hub City Special Law only has about 80. If this gap is not narrowed, there is no reason for companies to come.

- In the issue of 50 trillion won in government funding, wouldn’t ruling party candidates such as Assemblyman Jeon Jaesoo have an advantage?

▲I believe politicians must represent the interests of citizens. If candidates like Assemblyman Jeon Jaesoo from the ruling party say they will bring in 50 trillion won, then they should do it. If they represent Busan’s interests more aggressively against the government and secure government funding, they will win. On the other hand, if I make sure that Busan is not neglected by the government and the ruling party, and public sentiment is reflected in the votes, then I will win. I don’t see any disadvantage.

- What are your plans for the development of the western Busan and Nakdong River belt?

▲The Nakdong River is currently on the outskirts of Busan, but if Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam are integrated, it will become the center of the unified city, similar to the Han River in Seoul. I plan to establish an Ecological Park Station on the Gimhae-Busan light rail line to improve access to the Nakdong River, make Gupo Station a core KTX hub, and connect Ulsan via expressway. There is a need to build park golf courses, marinas, and leisure sports facilities in the Eulsukdo-Maekdo section of the Nakdong River. Even now, residents of Haeundae rarely visit the Nakdong River. We need to enhance both accessibility and recreational attractions. This will create a structure that draws tourists from both the river and the sea. If we transform the underdeveloped industrial zones into areas where advanced technology and culture coexist, the Nakdong River belt can become the center of Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam.

- Every election, there are pledges to make Busan a maritime capital. What is different this time?

▲We need not only to relocate HMM’s headquarters but also to attract investment. I am considering the Marseille model in France. When a global shipping company entered Marseille, many associated companies made significant investments. HMM’s retained earnings approach 14 trillion won. If HMM decides to invest, it will accelerate its settlement in Busan and create jobs. The same applies to the Northern Sea Route. Currently, the Northern Sea Route Promotion Headquarters under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is an organization where 31 public officials from 10 ministries are assembled, each serving a different minister. How can any decision be made? We need to establish a Northern Sea Route Agency in Busan. The Korea Polar Research Institute is also in Sejong; it should be merged with the Northern Sea Route Agency. Now is the time to draw a big picture linking nuclear-powered submarine construction and nuclear-powered icebreakers.

- How do you evaluate the Democratic Party candidate?

▲Looking at the most prominent candidate, Assemblyman Jeon Jaesoo, he served as Minister of Oceans and Fisheries for five months and then stepped down. He achieved nothing. The relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan was a presidential campaign pledge in the last election, and he merely fulfilled that promise. Keeping promises is a given. Simply relocating the ministry and HMM will not bring about dramatic change. New commitments are needed. Assemblyman Jeon also has moral issues, such as involvement in the Unification Church scandal. Aside from such legal risks, he has been involved in politics for a long time and has many entangled interests. I have not been in politics for long. During my public service, I was never involved in scandals. I did not hold a publication commemoration event, and I was the main sponsor of the “Black Envelope Act.” Reform should be entrusted to clean hands, so I believe I am fully capable of fighting this contest.

- What are your strengths?

▲My strength is that I have not been in politics for long. Citizens are dissatisfied with established politics. Also, I am 51 years old, which is a prime age for working in private companies. I have extensive experience across the private sector, legislative, judiciary, and executive branches, having worked at the prosecution service, the presidential office, the Financial Services Commission, the Ministry of Justice, and as a private attorney. This gives me an advantage in identifying and tackling chronic issues facing Busan. Finally, I am clean. The Democratic Party’s leading candidate, Assemblyman Jeon Jaesoo, faces concrete bribery allegations. He claims he did not visit Cheonjeonggung, the headquarters of the Unification Church, but there is physical evidence. He also denies knowing about a luxury watch, but reports indicate an acquaintance had it repaired. Reform should be entrusted to clean hands.

- What is your position on party issues or the party leadership?

▲I intend to leave party matters to the party itself and focus on the livelihoods and economy of Busan. The situation in Busan is extremely urgent. As a candidate for Busan mayor, I will focus on Busan’s economy and citizens’ livelihoods, expect the party to set the right policies and direction, and do my best to protect Busan.

- How do you see Mayor Park Heongjoon's recent move to strengthen a conservative image by recruiting Son Youngkwang, professor at Ulsan National University and son of Pastor Son Hyunbo of Saegye-ro Church, as co-head of the campaign?

▲It is not appropriate to comment on the election strategy of another camp, but it is noteworthy that only now has the strategy shifted to a fighting mode, and how party members will evaluate this is key. As I have said before, "Candidate selection and fighting spirit cannot be separated." I am not asking to be nominated personally; I am saying that the party's culture itself should be this way. Even on social media, Mayor Park has recently been vocal in criticizing the Lee Jae-myung administration, and this series of moves seems aimed at conservative party members. Party members will evaluate the sincerity of those who have truly fought and bled while being criticized by the Democratic Party over the years.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.