Kim Jong-in's Remark "No Busan Mayor Candidate in Sight" Draws Unified Criticism from Senior Lawmakers

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Jo Kyung-tae, the longest-serving member of the People Power Party, criticized Kim Jong-in, the party's emergency committee chairman, who lamented during his visit to Busan that "there are no suitable candidates among those mentioned as Busan mayoral candidates." Kwon Young-se, a four-term lawmaker, also voiced criticism.

On the 16th, Jo said on Facebook, "Chairman Kim went to Busan and made remarks implying that 'there are no notable figures among the Busan mayoral candidates.'"

He pointed out, "It is a very inappropriate remark," adding, "A notable figure is a candidate elected by party members and the public through a fair process."

On the same day, Kwon also wrote on Facebook, calling it "an inappropriate comment," and said, "What do we gain by belittling ourselves?"

Earlier, during a visit to Busan to attend the 41st anniversary ceremony of the Bu-Ma Democratic Uprising, Chairman Kim said at a meeting regarding the Busan mayoral candidates, "I get the feeling that 3 to 4-term members of the National Assembly, finding it no longer interesting, are thinking of trying to become mayor. Among the figures currently mentioned, I do not see the candidate I have in mind."

On the previous day, after attending the 41st anniversary ceremony of the Bu-Ma Democratic Uprising in Busan, Chairman Kim said at a meeting with local journalists, "There is no figure who envisions the future of Busan's development with a grand plan," adding, "I get the feeling that 3 to 4-term members of the National Assembly, finding it no longer interesting, are thinking of trying to become mayor. That should not happen."

He emphasized, "Among the figures currently mentioned, I do not see the candidate I have in mind," but added, "If the candidates are well chosen, we can guarantee victory in the Seoul mayoral or Busan mayoral by-elections." He also stated that public opinion will be actively reflected in the upcoming primary rules.

Currently, within the People Power Party, among incumbents, Seo Byung-soo, a five-term lawmaker and former Busan mayor, Jang Je-won, a three-term lawmaker, and Kim Mi-ae, a first-term lawmaker, are mentioned as Busan mayoral candidates. Among non-incumbents, former lawmakers Yoo Jae-joong, Lee Jin-bok, Park Min-sik, Lee Eon-ju, and Park Hyung-joon are mentioned. Kim Se-yeon, who was considered the most likely Busan mayoral candidate, declared he would not run, and first-term lawmaker Park Soo-young also drew a line by saying, "Please do not mention me as a Busan mayoral candidate anymore."

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