Rival Parties Clash Over MB's Busan Visit: "Destroyed Busan" vs "Distorted Past"

Former President Lee Myung-bak to Visit Busan on May 31

After Jeon Jae-su, the Democratic Party candidate for mayor of Busan, criticized the planned visit of former President Lee Myung-bak scheduled for May 31, Park Hyung-joon, the People Power Party candidate for mayor of Busan, responded with a rebuttal.

Jae-Soo Jeon, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Busan mayor (right), and Hyeong-Jun Park, the People Power Party candidate for Busan mayor, are attending the Kwanhun Debate hosted by Kwanhun Club and Busan Ilbo in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the 26th, and are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Yonhap News

On the afternoon of May 30, Jeon Jae-su’s election campaign committee held a press conference at their campaign office in Busanjin-gu, Busan, stating, "Candidate Park Hyung-joon has invited former President Lee Myung-bak into the Busan mayoral race," and criticized, "This is not merely a campaign rally, but a declaration that the forces and individuals who destroyed Busan's future—and either ignored or supported that process—are now joining forces to shake Busan once again."

Jeon's campaign specifically mentioned the cancellation of the new Gadeokdo airport and the abolition of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The campaign argued, "The abolition of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries under the Lee Myung-bak administration was a decisive event that pushed Busan to the periphery," and pointed out, "It is an insult to citizens for Park Hyung-joon, who took part in the government reorganization at the time, to run for mayor again without any reflection or sense of responsibility."

In response, Park's campaign released a press statement, rebutting, "Do not use a distorted past to sell Busan." Regarding the new Gadeokdo airport, Park's campaign pointed out, "(During the Moon Jae-in administration) the Office for Government Policy Coordination concluded 'a fundamental review is necessary,' which effectively canceled the project," and asserted, "It was the Democratic Party government that wasted several years." On the issue of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries,they claimed that Busan's industry and production actually developed after the integration with the Ministry of Land, Transport, and Maritime Affairs.

Former President Lee Myung-bak is scheduled to visit Busan tomorrow, where he will attend a church service with Park Hyung-joon at a local church. Afterwards, he is expected to visit the area near Gunam-ro Square in Haeundae-gu and appeal for support for Park Hyung-joon.

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