[Summary] The April 7 By-Election Campaign Intensifies... Joo Ho-young Urges "Stop Defaming Our Candidates"

"Democratic Party's Election Campaign Turns to Smear Tactics"
"Accept Public Evaluation with Confidence and Humility"
Opposition Raises Allegations of Speculation and Privileges Against Candidates Oh Se-hoon and Park Hyung-jun

Joo Ho-young, Floor Leader of the People Power Party / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, regarding the April 7 Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections, claimed that as the election battle intensifies, the ruling party's 'black propaganda' is worsening, and urged, "Please stop the slander at this point."

On the 28th, Joo wrote on his Facebook, "The Democratic Party's early election campaign is turning into a messy black propaganda," expressing this view.

He pointed out, "It is especially serious in Busan," adding, "Our party's Busan mayoral candidate Park Hyung-joon’s campaign office complains that the Democratic Party is conducting one defamatory attack per day against the candidate."

He continued, "The Seoul and Busan mayoral elections are turning into a mudslinging contest," emphasizing, "Please stop the black propaganda and slander against the candidates at this point."

Joo also cited a media report criticizing the Democratic Party's election strategy. He said, "If it were any worse, a reporter would point out that 'negative campaigning is ruining the Democratic Party,'" and added, "The reporter stated that it is very inappropriate for the Democratic Party, the largest party with 174 seats in the National Assembly, to attack the personal misconduct of opposition candidates running for Seoul and Busan mayor."

He further stressed, "Every election is an evaluation and judgment of the policies the government has implemented," and "The Democratic Party should accept the public's evaluation of the policies they have carried out with dignity and humility."

On the 28th, Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, appealed for support at a focused campaign rally held at the East Gate Plaza of COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, with the by-elections 10 days away, the ruling party has pointed out allegations raised against opposition candidates such as Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party’s Seoul mayoral candidate, and Park Hyung-joon, the same party’s Busan mayoral candidate.

Kim Tae-nyeon, acting leader of the Democratic Party, said at the party’s supreme council meeting that day, "It has been revealed that Oh’s wife’s family surveyed land in Naegok-dong in June 2005. Especially, testimonies that Oh participated in the survey are a key point in clarifying the allegations," urging, "Since Oh’s lies have been exposed, he should resign from the Seoul mayoral candidacy as he pledged."

Earlier, on the 26th, KBS reported that testimonies emerged stating that Oh was present at the site where his wife’s family surveyed the land in Naegok-dong. However, Oh’s side explained that he was unaware of the survey and that those present were his father-in-law and elder brother-in-law.

They also criticized the report as 'malicious false information' and announced that they would file a complaint with the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office for violations including false information disclosure under the Public Official Election Act and candidate defamation.

On the afternoon of the 28th, Park Hyung-jun, the People Power Party candidate for the April 7 Busan mayoral by-election, is speaking at a rally condemning the Democratic Party's derogatory remarks about Busan, held at Busan Citizens Park in Busanjin-gu, Busan. / Photo by Yonhap News

On the other hand, the ruling party also raised suspicions of preferential treatment in the LCT apartment sales concerning candidate Park.

Kim Young-chun, the Democratic Party’s Busan mayoral candidate, stated at the 'Busan Mayoral By-election Final Debate' held at the International Newspaper office in Yeonje-gu, Busan, on the morning of the 28th, "Park’s family lives on the floors above and below the LCT. There are still unclear points," and claimed, "Lee Young-bok (the actual owner of LCT) secured the sales rights under a borrowed name and distributed them as privileges to the elite. Suspicions have also arisen regarding Park’s LCT residency rights."

In response, Park said, "I have already told the party that I am willing to undergo any special investigation," and directly countered, "The key issue is whether there was preferential treatment. We have disclosed the real names of those who initially held the sales rights and those who received them with subscription savings accounts. Please verify."

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