Park Hyung-jun "Busan Public Opinion Still Favors Regime Judgment"

"Ruling Party Will Receive Applause If It Keeps Promise to Pass Gadeokdo New Airport Law in February"
"Korea-Japan Undersea Tunnel Should Be Decided Through Public Deliberation Process"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Park Hyung-jun, the People Power Party's preliminary candidate for Busan mayor, said on the 3rd, "There seems to be no public opinion greater than the anger over the Moon Jae-in administration's mismanagement in Busan and criticism of the unchecked power's rampage." He stated that public opinion in Busan regarding the mayoral by-election still favors the theory of judging the current administration.

Park Hyung-jun, preliminary candidate for Busan mayor from the People Power Party. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the same day, Park appeared on KBS Radio's Choi Kang-rae's Choi Kang Current Affairs and said, "It is true that the ruling party is desperately trying to sway public opinion," but added, "Because Busan citizens are currently facing great difficulties, it seems that there is a high expectation for a leader with the insight and capability to bring about practical innovation and reasonable change."

Regarding the Gadeokdo New Airport, Park announced that the People Power Party has completed internal coordination. He said, "There have been differing opinions within the People Power Party in the Yeongnam region, which may have given that impression, but I believe it was settled through the emergency committee in Busan this time." Park added, "If the ruling party keeps its promise to pass the special law in February, I will applaud," and further stated, "I hope both the ruling and opposition parties can go beyond the attitude of trying to make it a Democratic Party airport or a political airport and join forces from the perspective of regional development and strengthening South Korea's competitiveness."

Park said, "Having an additional international logistics hub airport in Busan will help South Korea's competitiveness and greatly contribute to the development of the entire southern region, including Busan," and explained, "Busan has the sixth-largest port in the world in terms of cargo volume, with 60% of that cargo being transshipment at Busan Port. If there is an airport with air logistics functions nearby, tremendous industrial effects are expected, and it will serve as innovative infrastructure that develops not only Busan but the entire southern region."

Regarding the Korea-Japan undersea tunnel, he emphasized the need for public discussion. Park said, "The stories about it becoming a base for Japan's continental advance are somewhat outdated," but added, "I believe a clear public discussion process is necessary." He continued, "It is appropriate to determine the city's position through a public discussion process after a certain deliberation period," and said, "We need to enter into specific and professional discussions on whether it helps regional development and how to build the southern region and Northeast Asian economic community, as well as the long-term approach to Korea-Japan relations from a broad perspective."

He also added, "However, I do not think it is desirable for the Democratic Party to exploit anti-Japanese sentiment and use this issue as a political attack." Regarding remarks made by Kim Jong-in, the People Power Party's emergency committee chairman, Park said, "It was not announced as a position to do this immediately," and explained, "This was mentioned in the context of actively seeking various means to generate additional value related to it, so I think it is possible to go through a public discussion process."

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