Ryu Ho-jeong to Park Young-sun on riding the 'Noh Hoe-chan Bus': "Noh Hoe-chan's real opponent is not conservative parties but corrupt vested interests"

Ryu Ho-jeong, Justice Party member./Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Ryu Ho-jeong, a Justice Party lawmaker, criticized Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party of Korea's Seoul mayoral candidate, who campaigned by riding bus number 6411, known as the 'Roh Hoe-chan bus,' saying, "If the Democratic Party repeatedly retreats on reform, it means they merely used Roh Hoe-chan for election purposes."

On the 6th, Ryu posted on her Facebook, stating, "They must bear the neglect of countless Roh Hoe-chans who live by the spirit hastily borrowed," expressing this view.

Earlier, on the day before the April 7 by-election, Park began her campaign schedule by boarding the first 6411 bus, appealing to Justice Party supporters by saying, "I helped the late Roh Hoe-chan when he ran for office." The 6411 bus route is known as the 'bus frequently used by early morning workers,' mentioned by the late Roh in his acceptance speech as Justice Party leader in 2012.

Ryu emphasized, "'The Roh Hoe-chan spirit' cannot be monopolized or inherited by anyone. It is not something exclusive to the Justice Party," adding, "It belongs to everyone who honors a man who devoted his life to the socially vulnerable and ordinary people."

She continued, "However, the Roh Hoe-chan spirit cannot be used to create satellite proportional representation parties, nor can it justify worsening the flexible working hours system or undermining the Serious Accident Punishment Act. Instead of excusing rent increases before the passage of the three lease laws as 'market price adjustments,' pledging anti-discrimination laws or non-consensual rape crimes is the true Roh Hoe-chan spirit," raising her voice in criticism of the Democratic Party's contradictory actions.

Ryu said, "That's fine. Please inherit Roh Hoe-chan. Even after the election ends, bus number 6411 will continue to operate." However, she warned, "If only the Democratic Party stops and repeatedly retreats on progressive reforms, today’s Democratic Party will have merely used Roh Hoe-chan for election purposes."

She also stressed, "Roh Hoe-chan's enemy was not 'conservative parties' but 'corrupt vested interests.' Please remember this well."

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