Ha Jungwoo Raises 'Pseudo-Campaign Office Allegations' vs Han Donghoon Questions 'Did You Get Naver's Approval for 10 Billion Won Stock Options?'

Buk-gu Gap Debate Turns to Allegations Over Policy
Clash Over 'Pseudo-Campaign Office' and 'Stock Options'

In the televised debate for the National Assembly by-election in the Buk-gu Gap district of Busan, Ha Jung-woo, the Democratic Party candidate, and Han Dong-hoon, the independent candidate, clashed head-on over allegations of a "pseudo campaign office" and the issue of stock options worth tens of billions of won. Rather than focusing on policy verification, both candidates exchanged fierce attacks targeting each other's morality and political identity.

During the TV debate hosted by the Busan Election Commission on the 28th, Ha targeted Han's key pledges, such as the K-Complex Arena and the undergrounding of the Gyeongbu Line, saying, "Most of these projects require government funding, but they lack feasibility. Han says he will fight against the government and the ruling party, so how will he secure such a large government budget?" He added, "These projects require a lot of money and are difficult to operate, but there is no clear structure linking them to actual youth employment."

Ha Jung-woo, the Democratic Party candidate (left in the photo) running in the by-election for the Buk-gu Gap district of Busan, and Han Dong-hoon, the People Power Party candidate, continued their heated debate in a TV discussion on the 28th. Screenshot from KNN YouTube live broadcast.

Ha also raised the so-called "pseudo campaign office" allegations involving Han's supporters. Holding up a related photo, Ha asserted, "There was organized bus mobilization, and suspicions have emerged about illegal campaign offices," adding, "If these people are your fans, shouldn't you exercise some ethical control over them?"

In response, Han fired back, "It looks bad for a politician from the ruling party to tell supporters of an independent candidate not to come." He continued, "Buk-gu should become a service hub where people and money gather. Are you trying to turn Buk-gu into an island by pushing outsiders away?"

The two also clashed over issues such as the controversy regarding the withdrawal of charges against President Lee Jae-myung and the Busan Global City Special Act. When Han asked Ha, "Do you support the withdrawal of charges against President Lee Jae-myung?" Ha retorted, "Is this a prosecutor’s interrogation room? Why do you keep demanding yes-or-no answers?"

Han pressed, "Can't you even raise the slightest objection to President Lee Jae-myung?" In response, Ha countered, "Is it appropriate for someone who did such things in the Yoon Suk-yeol administration to be talking about whether or not to dissent?" He then produced a photo of Han bowing to former President Yoon Suk-yeol as a rebuttal.

In the subsequent debate, the issue of Ha's stock options from Upstage was also raised. Han pressed, "There are reports about 10 billion won in stock related to Upstage. Did you receive prior approval from your competitor, Naver, to hold those shares?"

Ha replied, "I received permission from the internal head of the organization." However, Han continued his offensive, asking, "Is it appropriate for a key technology executive to accept shares from a competitor? Under that structure, wouldn't you profit only if Naver fails?"

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