"No Candidate for Busan Mayor," Kim Jong-in Faces Backlash from Jang Je-won: "The Party Leader Engages in Self-Harm Wherever He Goes"

Jang Je-won, a member of the People Power Party, is protesting against Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, during the National Assembly inspection of the Ministry of Justice held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 12th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] As Rep. Jang Je-won of the People Power Party announced his intention not to run in the Busan mayoral by-election, he criticized Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in, who harshly remarked that "there is no suitable candidate," saying, "Wherever he goes, it’s a self-destructive act, so I’m worried."

On the 18th, Rep. Jang stated on his Facebook, "I felt it was disrespectful to cause confusion regarding my position to the constituents who made me a three-term lawmaker."

Rep. Jang said, "I felt the need to clarify my position as it might be a burden to candidates who have decided to run," adding, "I still believe that creating another by-election without even completing one year of the 21st National Assembly term is not the right choice for Busan and Sasang."

He continued, "I will not run in the Busan mayoral by-election," and said, "I will faithfully fulfill my role as a lawmaker and work even harder for regime creation and regional development."

Additionally, Rep. Jang targeted Chairman Kim, saying, "I don’t understand why the party leader has to engage in such internal criticism."

Earlier, on the 16th, Chairman Kim attracted attention by saying at a press conference, "There is no figure who envisions the future of Busan’s development with a grand plan," and "Among the figures currently being mentioned, I don’t see the candidate I have in mind."

Currently, within the People Power Party, former Busan mayor and five-term Rep. Seo Byung-soo, three-term Rep. Jang Je-won, and first-term Rep. Kim Mi-ae are being mentioned as candidates.

Regarding this, Rep. Jang said, "It’s truly worrisome that a person of the party leader’s stature engages in self-destructive behavior wherever he goes," and added, "Would it be acceptable to go around campaigning for defeat when encouragement would be more appropriate?"

He went on, "Fundamental questions are being raised about the existence of the Emergency Response Committee," and stated, "I will serve quietly and do my best for the party’s victory."

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