Park Young-sun '21-Minute City·Minister Experience' vs Woo Sang-ho 'True Commoner·Pro-Moon'

As Debates Continue, Clear Policy and Strength Differences Emerge
Second TV Debate on 17th Shows Unified Voice on COVID-19 Response: "Opposition Turns It into Political Conflict"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] As the debates among the Democratic Party preliminary candidates running for the Seoul mayoral by-election continue, the core pledges and distinct colors of each candidate are becoming clearer. Candidate Park Young-sun emphasizes subdivided issues such as real estate, small business economy, and medical welfare within the framework of the '21-minute Compact City.' In particular, she focused on highlighting her strengths in self-employment and COVID-19 response by leveraging her experience as Minister of SMEs and Startups. Candidate Woo Sang-ho presents himself as the legitimate heir of the pro-Moon faction to party members while approaching voters with policies for ordinary people.

On the 17th, at the Yonhap News TV Seoul mayoral primary candidate broadcast debate, Candidate Park reiterated her pledge to supply half-priced apartments at 10 million KRW per pyeong and emphasized sectoral policies outlined in the 21-minute Compact City concept, such as vertical garden cities, subscription economy, and one-stop healthcare.

Candidate Park said, "The core of my real estate policy is to prepare 300,000 public housing units within five years and supply half-priced apartments at 10 million KRW per pyeong," adding, "We will first supply 20-25 pyeong apartments mainly for single-person and two-person households, starting with public rental housing complexes over 30 years old."

She continued, "We can supply half-priced apartments through a land leasehold system," and added, "We plan to supply apartments mainly through public sale housing."

Regarding the vertical garden city, she introduced it as "a new trend in advanced cities," describing it as "a vertical garden city that forms a landmark in Seoul, prioritizes environmental issues, and serves as a symbol for reducing carbon emissions."

In response, Candidate Woo emphasized policies for ordinary people while repeatedly asserting that he is the 'legitimate Democratic Party candidate.'

When asked about his hidden card (strength) in a video question from a citizen, he said, "Democratic Party candidates must be devoted to the spirit of the Democratic Party," emphasizing that he is the legitimate candidate continuing the legacy of Presidents Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in. He also said, "The pan-Democratic progressive camp must give their hearts to the Democratic Party," adding, "For that, the candidate who has lived the most progressive life is suitable."

Along with this, he stated that policies differentiated from the opposition party's 'rich person pledges' are necessary and declared himself the right person to propose 'genuine pro-ordinary people' policies.

Candidate Woo said, "I live in a 400 million KRW apartment with a monthly rent of 500,000 KRW, and my sister also runs a business in the market," adding, "I will approach citizens with pro-ordinary people policies to resolve polarization. My sincerity is my hidden card."

The debate on this day was conducted in a relatively amicable atmosphere, unlike the first TV debate on the 15th.

Candidate Park's side evaluated the debate as "a dignified policy discussion" in a statement. Deputy Spokesperson Hwang Bang-yeol said, "Both candidates Park Young-sun and Woo Sang-ho presented visions for the future of Seoul," adding, "In particular, they raised issues with the opposition party politicizing COVID-19 quarantine problems, and it was a meaningful debate in that they agreed that the government and Seoul city must be united to quickly end COVID-19."

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