Yoon Visits Busan One Day Before Local Elections... Controversy Over Election Interference

-Presidential Office: "If election was in mind, would have gone to a more difficult region"

-Political controversy over 'election interference' even during president-elect's regional tours

-Ruling party: "No talk of elections at all...Livelihood and economic issues are the top priorities"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] President Yoon Seok-yeol attended the 'Sea Day' commemorative ceremony held in Busan on the 31st and ordered the establishment of a "stable maritime logistics supply chain." Considering the intensifying maritime hegemony competition among neighboring countries and international logistics competition, he stated, "Please advance the related infrastructure in line with the times." However, visiting the provinces just one day before the June 1 local elections created room for criticism from the opposition party accusing him of 'election interference.' President Yoon was also criticized by the opposition for election interference during his regional tour schedule as president-elect.

On the 31st, President Yoon attended the 27th 'Sea Day' commemorative ceremony held at the Busan International Passenger Terminal cruise pier and mentioned preparations suitable for the "construction of a new maritime power."

In his commemorative speech, President Yoon emphasized, "The rapid changes in the marine environment are presenting unprecedented crises and challenges to the maritime and fisheries sectors," and stressed, "A stable maritime logistics supply chain that can support our country's exports and imports must be established." He also called for the advancement of infrastructure such as digital logistics transition, eco-friendly autonomous ships, and smart automated ports.

However, President Yoon's visit to Busan on this day led to controversy over 'election interference.' A presidential office official said, "As this is the first maritime and fisheries field visit since the president's inauguration, if the election was in mind, wouldn't it be more appropriate to go to a more difficult region?" and even disclosed past data on presidential event attendance, but the visit was carried out just one day before the election.

Earlier, President Yoon, as president-elect last month, conducted nearly a month of regional tours, which sparked controversy over election interference. Contrary to the purpose of the regional tour named 'Promises and Livelihood Walk,' some schedules were accompanied by People Power Party candidates for metropolitan mayoral positions.

In response, the Democratic Party stated that it was a clear case of election interference disguised as a regional tour during the president-elect period. The opposition's attacks focused especially on visits to the Gyeonggi region. During consecutive visits to four cities in Gyeonggi?Goyang, Anyang, Suwon, and Yongin?President Yoon conducted tailored on-site inspections, including the first-generation new town redevelopment project, noise complaints from Suwon military airport, and support plans for small merchants in Yongin Central Market.

Democratic Party lawmakers even held briefings, criticizing, "Although it is under the pretext of 'keeping the promise to visit after election,' the nationwide tour just before the June 1 local elections does not look like a mere livelihood walk," and added, "Accompanying People Power Party candidates for provincial governors and mayors, he does not hesitate to make statements that could be considered election campaigning."

The People Power Party also expressed discomfort. Former President Moon Jae-in visited Gunsan shipyard just 13 days before the presidential election and visited Busan ahead of last year's Busan mayoral by-election, promising support for the new airport on Gadeokdo Island. At that time, Heo Eun-ah, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, said, "(Former President Moon) visited Busan, Chungbuk, Chungnam, and Daegu ahead of the 2020 general election and visited relatively Democratic Party-weak regions such as Gumi and Gangneung just before the election, showing a typical example of election interference," and rebutted, "Is a regional visit by a Democratic Party president a livelihood walk, but a regional visit by President-elect Yoon electioneering?"

In response, a presidential office official cautioned against overinterpretation, saying, "It is a meaningful occasion to raise the pride of maritime and fisheries workers and to award meritorious persons." A key ruling party official also said, "From the president and the presidential office, there is absolutely no talk of elections; election talk is virtually taboo," and added, "Right now, the process is thoroughly focused on prioritizing livelihood and economic issues."

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