"Let's Hold a Debate Before the Lunar New Year Holiday" Impressions from 8 People Running in the People Power Party's Seoul and Busan Mayoral Primary

Na Kyung-won "I will meet with eliminated candidates to include their pledges"
Oh Shin-hwan and Cho Eun-hee propose to party leadership to increase debates

Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won (from left), former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, former lawmaker Oh Shin-hwan, and Seocho District Mayor Cho Eun-hee, who advanced to the main race of the People Power Party's Seoul mayoral by-election.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] As the final candidates advancing to the main race for the by-elections for the Seoul and Busan mayoral positions from the People Power Party have been confirmed, the candidates expressed enthusiasm by announcing plans to meet with the eliminated candidates and proposing debate sessions before the Lunar New Year holiday.

The People Power Party’s Nomination Management Committee announced on the morning of the 5th the eight candidates who advanced to the main race for the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections. For the Seoul mayoral main race, four candidates were selected from a total of eight: former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, former lawmaker Oh Shin-hwan, and Seocho District Mayor Cho Eun-hee. For the Busan mayoral main race, four candidates were chosen from six: former lawmaker Park Min-sik, former Busan Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs Park Seong-hoon, former Secretary-General of the National Assembly Park Hyung-joon, and former lawmaker Lee Eon-ju.

After being confirmed as a main race candidate, former lawmaker Na Kyung-won expressed on Facebook, “I sincerely thank you for trusting and choosing Na Kyung-won,” emphasizing, “I will win the hearts of citizens with a humbler attitude and a more open approach, and I will represent the People Power Party to ensure the success of the opposition’s unification.” After the press conference on ‘Real Estate Pledges’ held at the National Assembly Communication Office that afternoon, Na mentioned the eliminated candidates, saying, “I will visit each one personally and discuss to incorporate good pledges and work together for the opposition’s victory.”

Former Mayor Oh Se-hoon expressed gratitude on Facebook and stated, “We must make this by-election a stepping stone for regime change,” adding, “The only candidate who can win is citizen candidate Oh Se-hoon,” revealing his ambition.

There was also a suggestion to hold a debate before the Lunar New Year holiday, seemingly conscious of the unification between Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, and Geum Tae-seop, former lawmaker of the Democratic Party.

Former lawmaker Oh Shin-hwan posted on Facebook his thoughts and proposed, “I hope the number of one-on-one debates can be doubled and start before the Lunar New Year,” appealing to the party leadership and the Nomination Management Committee. Oh explained, “Ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, if Ahn Cheol-soo and Geum Tae-seop energize the atmosphere with debates, the People Power Party will be pushed to the sidelines under the current schedule,” adding, “At least six sessions should be held in a ‘home and away’ format like professional soccer to show citizens the changed image of the People Power Party.”

Seocho District Mayor Cho Eun-hee also expressed gratitude on Facebook that morning and proposed to the party leadership to hold debates before the Lunar New Year holiday. Mayor Cho said, “I sincerely thank the citizens of Seoul and party members who chose me, Cho Eun-hee, with a desire for new figures,” adding, “The real battle starts now.” She further proposed, “I strongly recommend holding the first joint debate before the Lunar New Year to announce the start of the primary to Seoul citizens, followed by one-on-one debates after the holiday, and concluding with a final joint debate.”

Busan mayoral candidates also shared their thoughts on advancing to the main race through social networking services (SNS). Former Busan Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs Park Seong-hoon posted a photo of his sneakers on Facebook, saying, “I sincerely thank party comrades and Busan citizens,” and pledged, “I will tie my shoelaces again and run vigorously.” On the same day, former lawmaker Lee Eon-ju also stated on Facebook, “I will give my all to achieve final victory in the main race.” Former lawmaker Park Min-sik declared on Facebook that morning, “Thanks to your support, I have advanced to the main race,” and vowed, “I will firmly pull the trigger for a great transformation in Busan.”

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