Joeunhee·Eonju Lee, Mapo Forum Lecture... Presenting Visions for Seoul and Busan Mayoral Elections

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Jo Eun-hee, Seocho District Mayor, and former lawmaker Lee Eon-ju, who officially declared their candidacies for the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections next year, will appear as speakers at the "Towards a Better World (Mapo Forum)" on the afternoon of the 3rd. They are expected to present their pledges and visions under the theme "How to Win the Seoul and Busan Mayoral Elections" at this event.

On the 1st, Mayor Jo reported her candidacy for the Seoul mayoral by-election after meeting with Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman, Joo Ho-young, Floor Leader, and Jung Yang-seok, Secretary-General. On the same day, Mayor Jo shared on Facebook that Chairman Kim advised her, saying, "There is no need to criticize the Moon Jae-in administration; we must win the hearts of the citizens. Show the citizens a blueprint for solving problems."

Regarding the female bonus points, Mayor Jo stated, "The position of Seoul mayor, responsible for the lives and safety of ten million citizens, should be decided by capability, not gender," and added, "Female bonus points are unnecessary in this Seoul mayoral election." She also said, "I will gradually reveal my vision for Seoul, including issues related to real estate and taxes," and promised, "I will take steps to become a hopeful mayor who gives the future to the youth and a plus mayor who enriches the lives of citizens."

Former lawmaker Lee officially declared his candidacy by holding book launch events for "Busan Independence Declaration" in Seoul and Busan on the 23rd and 28th of last month, respectively. Lee stated, "We must make Busan a place where young talents full of new ideas and pioneering spirit gather, start businesses, and stay. I intend to raise the flag of that change."

Lee emphasized, "It is necessary to recall once again the cause of this election," adding, "The election is being held at the cost of hundreds of billions of taxpayers' money due to the sexual harassment by the Democratic Party mayor. We must not forget this. We must avoid a situation where the sexual harassment frame turns into a new airport frame, putting us on the defensive." Chairman Kim praised Lee in his congratulatory speech, saying, "As one of the few female politicians in our country, she is an excellent person who can assert her will."

The Mapo Forum is a well-established platform for the opposition's presidential and by-elections. This group is led by former lawmaker Kim Moo-sung, who calls himself a "kingmaker," and includes about 60 current and former members of the People Power Party. Kang Seok-ho, former lawmaker and co-representative of the Mapo Forum, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 3rd, "We are preparing a debate among candidates next month." According to the Mapo Forum, lectures by former Secretary-General Kim Sun-dong and former co-lead campaign committee chairman Park Hyung-joon are scheduled for the 10th. Earlier, former lawmakers Lee Hye-hoon and Lee Jin-bok announced their candidacies for the Seoul and Busan mayoral elections at the Mapo Forum on the 19th of last month.

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