[Busan Mayor] Park Hyungjoon vs Jeon Jaesoo... What Is the Han Donghoon Effect? [Current Affairs Show]

"World-Class Busan" vs. "Maritime Capital Busan"
Potential Shifts in the Race Depending on the "Han Donghoon Effect"

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The fierce battle in Busan has begun. From the People Power Party, incumbent Mayor Park Hyungjoon has been confirmed as the candidate, while from the Democratic Party, former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Jeon Jaesoo has secured the nomination. Jeong Ihan, former spokesperson, is running as the candidate from the Reform Party.

Looking back at the past five years of election results in Busan Metropolitan City, it can be summed up as a 'conservative stronghold.' In the 2022 presidential election, candidate Yoon Suk-yeol led candidate Lee Jae-myung by 20.1 percentage points. In the local elections held that year, Park Hyungjoon of the People Power Party received 66.36% of the votes, while Byun Sungwan of the Democratic Party garnered 32.23%. The People Power Party swept all district mayoral seats. In the 2024 parliamentary election, except for the North Gab (Bukgap) district represented by Assemblyman Jeon Jaesoo, the People Power Party won in all other districts.

What about the 2025 presidential election? Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party received 40.14% of the votes, while Kim Moonsoo of the People Power Party received 51.39%. Combined with the 7.55% won by Lee Junseok, the Reform Party candidate, the so-called broad conservative bloc led Lee Jae-myung by more than 18 percentage points. Although this was a presidential election held after the imposition of martial law and impeachment, the result was not significantly different from 2022.

However, after President Lee Jae-myung took office, with the People Power Party failing to regain its footing and the President’s approval ratings soaring, the political landscape is undergoing change. As a movement away from the People Power Party becomes more visible among centrist and moderate conservative groups, the Democratic Party is expanding its support base. It is noteworthy how these dynamics will be reflected in the upcoming Busan mayoral election.

Candidate Park Hyungjoon is seeking a third term as Busan Mayor. He was first elected in a by-election in 2021 following the resignation of former Mayor Oh Keodon, and was re-elected in 2022. Born in 1960 in Choryang-dong, Dong-gu, Busan, he graduated from Daeil High School and Korea University’s Department of Sociology. He has served as a professor in the Department of Sociology at Dong-A University and as Planning Committee Chairman at the Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice. In 2004, he became a National Assembly member (Busan Suyeong) for the Grand National Party, and later served as Presidential Senior Secretary for Political Affairs and Secretary General of the National Assembly.

Candidate Jeon Jaesoo was born in 1971 in Yongdeok-myeon, Uiryeong, Gyeongnam Province. He graduated from Gudeok High School and Dongguk University’s Department of History Education. During the Roh Moo-hyun administration, he served as a Blue House administrator and as the second deputy chief of staff. After two unsuccessful runs, he was elected for three consecutive terms in Busan Bukgap from the 20th to the 22nd National Assembly. In the 22nd National Assembly in 2024, he was the only Democratic Party member elected in Busan. He has served as chairman of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee and as Minister of Oceans and Fisheries.

Candidate Park Hyungjoon, who sees the beginning of conservative consolidation, has emphasized conservative unity and party cohesion. He declared, "I will be the field commander and vanguard for over 200 People Power Party candidates in Busan. I am determined to serve as the final breakwater, ready to risk my life." Candidate Jeon Jaesoo, believing he is riding the momentum, stressed, "Now is the time for action, not words. Together with the Lee Jae-myung administration, I will ensure Busan becomes the true maritime capital."

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Candidate Park Hyungjoon is promoting the vision of a "World-Class Busan." He is highlighting his proven administrative skills, the stability and continuity of Busan’s administration, and achievements such as attracting investments totaling around 19 trillion won. Candidate Jeon Jaesoo is advocating for a "Maritime Capital Busan." He emphasizes relocating the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, positioning Busan as the starting point of the Arctic shipping route, and making Busan the center of integration for Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam. For Park, concerns include the low approval ratings of the People Power Party, voter fatigue from his third-term bid, and criticism over the failed bid to host the Busan Expo. For Jeon, the burden stems from allegations that he received a Cartier watch worth 7.85 million won from the Unification Church in 2019.

In this context, attention is focused on how Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party, who has made his intentions to run in Busan Bukgap clear, will influence the overall election landscape in Busan. If the former leader successfully establishes himself as the center of the conservative movement, replacing the struggling People Power Party in Busan, the race is expected to be highly competitive. However, if the conservative camp becomes further divided, Park may find himself in an unfavorable position. To predict the outcome, it is still necessary to watch factors such as who will run as the Democratic Party candidate and how much support Han will garner.

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