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 the campaign team of Jae-Soo Jeon, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Busan mayor, criticized the planned visit of former President Lee Myung-bak scheduled for the 31st, the campaign team of Hyeong-Jun Park, the People Power Party candidate for Busan mayor, issued 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 the 30th, Jeon’s election campaign committee held a press conference at their campaign office in Busanjin-gu, Busan, stating, "Candidate Park has brought former President Lee Myung-bak into the Busan mayoral race," and criticized, "This is not a simple campaign rally but rather a declaration that the forces and individuals who either ignored or sided with those responsible for undermining Busan’s future will join forces to shake up the city again."

Jeon’s team specifically cited the cancellation of the new airport project on Gadeokdo and the abolition of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. They argued, "The abolition of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries by the Lee Myung-bak administration was a decisive event that marginalized Busan," and added, "The fact that Candidate Park, who participated in the government reorganization at the time, is running for mayor again without reflection or taking responsibility is an insult to the citizens."

In response, Park’s team released a press statement countering, "Do not exploit Busan with a distorted version of the past." Regarding the Gadeokdo new airport project, they pointed out, "During the Moon Jae-in administration, the Prime Minister’s Office concluded that a fundamental review was needed, which effectively canceled the project," and emphasized, "It was the Democratic Party government that wasted several years." On the issue of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, they argued that after the ministry was merged with the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, Busan’s industry and production actually developed further.

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

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