Economic Pledges Announced Amid Tensions Among People Power Party Leadership Candidates from Bu-Ul-Gyeong Region

Data Center and Gadeokdo New Airport Attraction, etc.

On the afternoon of the 2nd, at the BEXCO Auditorium in Haeundae-gu, Busan, during the joint speech meeting for the election of the People Power Party leader and Supreme Council members for Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, Lee Jun-seok (from the left in the photo), Hong Moon-pyo, Joo Ho-young, Cho Kyung-tae, and Na Kyung-won, candidates for party leader, are taking a commemorative photo on the podium.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The candidates for the leader of the People Power Party continued their rivalry at the joint speech event for Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam held on the 2nd. At the same time, they also presented pledges to revive the economy of the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) region.

At the joint speech event held at the BEXCO Auditorium in Haeundae-gu, Busan, the first to speak was former floor leader Juh Ho-young, who directly criticized former Supreme Council member Lee Jun-seok. Former floor leader Juh said, "The role and achievements of candidate Lee Jun-seok, who created a new trend, deserve praise, but the wind must be a beneficial breeze that removes fine dust, not a storm that breaks windows and knocks down signs, which leaves enormous aftereffects."

He also emphasized that expanding the party's base is essential for regime change, saying, "It is not enough to just have a strong militant image," and added, "If a candidate who has already failed with that image becomes the party leader, we will not be able to expand." This was interpreted as referring to the 'fast-track clash' that occurred during former lawmaker Na Kyung-won's tenure as floor leader.

Assemblyman Hong Moon-pyo said, "Is this the image of a party convention that brings hope to our country's reform and the people, where people argue over whether some well-known person can be brought in or not, or whether someone is close or not?" He added, "The leader of the main opposition party is almost equal to the president. We must have a self-reliant party that brings candidates in according to our rules and evaluates them there." Hong criticized the candidates, saying, "It's embarrassing."

Former Supreme Council member Lee said, "Did everyone watch yesterday's broadcast debate? Although some candidates were still focused on negative campaigning, the proposals by Assemblyman Cho Kyung-tae and the discussions with other candidates about South Korea's economy, education, and social systems were constructive."

He then explained, "Bu-Ul-Gyeong has the optimal location for data centers," adding, "Data centers are like data apartments. They require excellent power and network lines, and with a superior educational environment, engineers can be secured. Busan has power plants, making it an optimal location."

Former lawmaker Na emphasized attracting the new airport to Gadukdo and the pardoning of former presidents. No sharp negative remarks were made. Na said, "Thank you to all party members for your hard work during the April 7 by-elections. I also thank former floor leader Juh Ho-young and Busan-born Assemblyman Cho Kyung-tae, who led the election," and added, "Candidate Lee Jun-seok's idea about the data industry is really good."

Assemblyman Cho Kyung-tae, who introduced himself as "the son of Jagalchi Market," criticized the Moon Jae-in administration. Cho said, "Cho Kuk should issue a repentance record, not a memoir, and apologize," and emphasized, "Together with the four candidates, we will unite tightly and definitely achieve regime creation."

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