Seongnam Mayoral TV Debate Heats Up: Shin Sangjin "Proven Administrator" vs Kim Byungwook "Mayor for Future Investment"

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Heated Debate Over "Who Will Solve Bundang’s Reconstruction?"

During the TV debate for the Seongnam mayoral candidates held ahead of the June 3 local elections, Democratic Party candidate Kim Byungwook and People Power Party candidate Shin Sangjin engaged in an intense war of words over major local issues such as redevelopment and reconstruction, urban rail, and city fiscal management.

Democratic Party candidate Kim Byungwook (right) and People Power Party candidate Shin Sangjin are holding a TV debate for Seongnam mayoral candidates on the morning of the 25th at Bucheon OBS Studio, hosted by the Seongnam Jungwon-gu Election Broadcasting Debate Commission.

At the TV debate for the Seongnam mayoral candidates, which took place at the Bucheon OBS studio on the morning of the 25th and was hosted by the Seongnam Jungwon District Election Broadcasting Debate Committee, both candidates maintained a tense standoff as they targeted each other’s morality and the feasibility of their respective policies.

Shin Sangjin of the People Power Party opened the debate, drawing on his administrative experience and achievements as the most recent 8th popularly elected mayor, and focused on scrutinizing his opponent. Shin pressed Kim Byungwook, asking, "What specific role did you play in resolving the restrictions on Bundang's reconstruction volume during your time as a Blue House secretary?" He concentrated on raising questions about Kim's past pledge fulfillment rate and issues concerning his integrity.

In response, Kim Byungwook of the Democratic Party dismissed the questions as "mere political attacks and negative tactics aimed at holding me back," and urged that the debate focus on policies for the future of Seongnam rather than dwelling on the past.

The confrontation between the two candidates intensified further over transportation infrastructure. Shin harshly criticized Kim's key transportation pledge, the "Seongnam Metro Lines 1 and 2."

Shin argued, "Since the Gyeonggi-do urban rail network development plan has already been officially announced, breaking ground in 2030 as my opponent proposes is simply unrealistic."

He further pointed out, "The proposed line would disperse the demand currently focused on existing projects such as Baekhyeon MICE Station, Pangyo-dong Station, Yatap-Dochon Station, and Wirye Samdong Line, which would actually have a negative impact on the overall expansion of Seongnam's rail network."

On the other hand, Kim insisted that the construction of a new urban rail network is essential to resolve Seongnam's chronic traffic congestion and to expand future infrastructure. He stated, "Redevelopment and reconstruction are no longer a choice but a necessity for Seongnam," adding, "I will actively persuade the Presidential Office and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to lift the limits on reconstruction volume in Seongnam and push forward with prompt renovation projects."

He also emphasized, "Through Seongnam Metro Lines 1 and 2, which will connect Daejang and Naksaeng districts with Wirye, Gumi-dong, and Pangyo, I will complete a next-generation transportation system."

Shin also dismissed his opponent's criticism of the "debt-free" achievement of city finances during the 8th administration, saying, "How can you criticize strengthening our fiscal capacity and saving the budget by paying off debt? Criticize what is actually worth criticizing."

He continued, "You said the court ruled there were 50 billion won in unjust gains from Daejang-dong, but as someone who led the Democratic Party's Daejang-dong Task Force, how can you say that? If Kim becomes mayor, together with the Democratic Party's proposed law to dismiss criminal charges, all issues regarding the 780 billion won in unjust gains by the Daejang-dong group will be swept under the rug," intensifying his offensive.

Democratic Party candidate Byungwook Kim (right) and People Power Party candidate Sangjin Shin are holding a TV debate for the Seongnam mayoral candidates at the Bucheon OBS studio on the morning of the 25th, hosted by the Seongnam Jungwon-gu Election Broadcasting Debate Committee.

Conversely, Kim directly rebutted this as "inefficient administration." He strongly criticized, "It is not rational fiscal management to pay off low-interest debt by canceling high-interest investments simply because you can't find worthwhile investments," adding, "Rather than investing in Seongnam's future infrastructure, you have focused on promoting visible political achievements."

In his closing statement, Kim Byungwook declared, "We are in a global era of technological gaps, and now is a golden time for Seongnam to make a leap forward." He appealed, "Seongnam needs a mayor who can skillfully communicate with the current administration and secure both national and provincial funding by making the most of the great opportunity presented by Seongnam native President Lee Jaemyung."

Shin Sangjin stated, "This election is not simply about choosing a mayor," pledging, "With a clean record free of involvement in corruption, and based on experience and seasoned judgment, I will swiftly address various challenges such as transportation, railroads, construction of new stations, and redevelopment and reconstruction."

The recorded TV debate will be broadcast on OBS Gyeongin TV for one hour starting at 10:30 p.m. on the 26th.

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