Lee Nak-yeon, Park·Oh "'A Battle Between Those Moving Forward and Those Moving Backward'"

"Short One Year, Time Not Enough Even When Working"
Park Young-sun "Seoul Mayoral Election Should Not Be Led by Political Strife"
"Confident to Raise Approval Rating by 2% Daily"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] "It is a contest between those moving forward and those moving backward."

On the 25th, when the official election campaign for the April 7 by-election began, Lee Nak-yeon, the Standing Election Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, evaluated the candidates running for Seoul mayor from both ruling and opposition parties in this way.

Lee Nak-yeon, Standing Election Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering opening remarks at the Central Election Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On that day, on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' Chairman Lee said about candidate Park Young-sun, "In the COVID-19 situation, the pain of small business owners, self-employed people, and ordinary citizens must be quickly alleviated to escape the economic contraction," adding, "If this is naturally important, Park Young-sun is the most suitable candidate."

Chairman Lee dismissed the opposition's unification as a "convention effect" and emphasized, "We must choose between the mayor who wants to reverse the direction of Seoul's development and the mayor who wants to move forward." He then referred to People Power Party candidate Oh Se-hoon as the "person moving backward."

Regarding real estate suspicions involving opposition candidates related to Naegok-dong and LCT, he said, "Regardless of advantages or disadvantages, anyone who wants to become the mayor of Seoul or Busan must naturally clarify suspicions and resolve doubts."

In response to views that see this election as a "judgment on the regime," he retorted, "If the work done by a mayor with a one-year term is to judge the regime, is that right for Seoul or Busan?" He continued, "Will they just fight during that short one-year period? It is not a strategy for citizens if a local government head decides to fight with the government during a time when there is already not enough time to work."

Photo by Park Young-sun Candidate Camp Provided

At the same time on the same day, candidate Park appeared on TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' and defined this election as "a contest between an old mayor and the future of Seoul, between a minister with proven achievements and others."

When asked about the widening gap in support rates in recent polls, Park said, "I am confident I can increase (support) by 2% every day steadily," adding, "This election should be about the people's livelihood mayor. The Seoul mayoral election should not be led by political strife."

She then criticized candidate Oh, calling him a "lying candidate," continuing her remarks regarding the Naegok-dong self-compensation suspicion. Park said, "The greenbelt release is a very important matter that must go through the mayor and be reported to the Blue House," and regarding Oh's explanation that it was a director-level decision, she criticized, "A candidate who shifts blame onto subordinates is truly a bad candidate." She also questioned, "What will a lying mayor leave behind?"

Park emphasized, "This mayor must quickly end COVID-19 and restore daily life as a people's livelihood mayor," adding, "We will immediately provide 50 million won in interest-free loans to small business owners and boldly provide 50 million won as starting capital for youth startups so they can achieve their dreams. Also, to eliminate the sorrow of being homeless, I will become the Seoul mayor who offers 'half-price apartments' to help people realize their dream of owning a home."

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