Eonju Lee "I Will Raise the Flag of Change in Busan"... Officially Declares Candidacy for Busan Mayor (Comprehensive)

Kim Jong-in: "A Remarkable Person Who Can Fulfill Their Own Will"
Joo Ho-young: "Hope You Seize This Great Opportunity to Fully Showcase Your Ability and Ambition"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Former People Power Party lawmaker Lee Eon-ju officially announced her candidacy for Busan mayor on the 23rd, stating, "We must make Busan a place where young talents full of new ideas and pioneering spirit gather, start businesses, and stay. I want to raise the flag of that change."

At her book launch event held at the Kensington Hotel in Yeouido on the same day, Lee said, "We need to once again recall the cause of this election," adding, "The election, which cost hundreds of billions of taxpayers' money, was caused by the sexual harassment by the Democratic Party mayor. We must not forget this. We must not let the sexual harassment frame turn into a new airport frame and put us on the defensive."

Regarding the controversy over the 'Gadeokdo New Airport,' Lee said, "I have long advocated for the Gadeokdo New Airport. There must be an airport capable of handling international-scale cargo," emphasizing, "It should be located at sea to be safe from noise pollution, and it can be expanded if needed in the future." She added, "Logistics competitiveness is international competitiveness," and "Our competitors are not Incheon Airport but Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China."

Lee said, "Busan has been dormant for 20 to 30 years. Former Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan called it a 'meager city.' Although it hurts my pride, hearing that made me feel a sense of self-loathing. The worst economic indicators," adding, "Busan must start its fourth opening. It will be an opportunity to change South Korea, starting with Busan. To do so, we must overcome regressive appearances and restore progressiveness, openness, and reformism."

Lee said, "Why has Busan been dormant all this time? It is too bureaucratic. It's impossible to do anything in business. There is still a patriarchal culture," adding, "I will innovate the public service and promote generational change in politics and society to nurture new forces."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, said in a congratulatory speech, "Former lawmaker Lee is a politician with a strong will who can surely realize what she aims for," and "As one of the few female politicians in our country, she is an excellent person who can assert her will."

Kim said, "I was the chairman of the support committee for Lee when she was a 19th National Assembly member and continued until the 20th National Assembly," adding, "I think Lee has a strong will and a personality that tries to realize things once she becomes obsessed with them."

Kim said, "I have not completely read Lee's book 'Busan Independence Declaration,' but I think she published it after considering various ways to lead her hometown Busan's development and how to guide the city."

Kim added, "I think Lee will be able to achieve the goals she sets for herself in the future," and "Please encourage her so that her political career can succeed."

Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, said, "Since the Busan mayoral by-election arose due to a sexual harassment issue, fielding a female candidate will be very helpful to Lee," adding, "I hope she makes good use of this opportunity to fully demonstrate her abilities and ambitions."

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