Kim Dae-sik Denies 'Jang Je-won Nomination Interference' Allegations: "Volunteered to Protect Nakdong River Belt"

Sasang-gu Candidate Kim: "Councilman Jang Never Pushed for Nomination"

"Join Hands with Song Sook-hee's Protest to Form a United Conservative Right-Wing Team for Victory"

Kim Dae-sik, the preliminary candidate of the People Power Party who received a single nomination for the vacant Busan Sasang District seat following the non-candidacy of Jang Je-won, a key figure in the pro-Yoon faction, officially denied allegations of Jang's interference in the nomination, stating, "I decided to run in Sasang on my own."

On the morning of the 27th, during an MBC radio program, when asked by the host whether the change from running in Haeundae-eul four years ago to Sasang District this time was at the request of Representative Jang, Kim clearly responded, "I volunteered."

Sasang District, along with Busan Seo-gu, is one of the two constituencies in the Busan area that has produced a president. It is classified as a critical battleground urgently sought after by both ruling and opposition parties, serving as a foothold in the Nakdong River belt.

Kim explained his reason for running, saying, "I came to Busan when I was 16, worked manual labor during the day, and attended a university in Sasang at night, studying diligently. Sasang warmly embraced me when I was truly impoverished," adding, "I decided to work in Sasang, where I have served as a professor and even president at Dongseo University and Gyeongnam Information University for 35 years, raising my three children."

He claimed that his candidacy in Haeundae-eul four years ago was motivated solely by a spirit of 'putting the party before oneself' because, during his tenure as head of the Yeouido Research Institute, there were no suitable candidates willing to run in a field heavily tilted by the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.

Kim Dae-sik said, "Representative Jang Je-won has been involved in politics for 15 years and has been promoting a project worth 5 trillion won in Sasang," adding, "He plans to transform the smokestack industries of the 1960s and 70s into advanced industries through the 'Sasang-type New Deal policy,' making it a city full of jobs where young people can settle," explaining his reason for entering politics.

He firmly stated that Representative Jang never pushed for his nomination during the selection process.

Regarding Song Sook-hee, a preliminary candidate who was pushed out during the nomination competition and is protesting with a shaved head, Kim said, "She must be very angry, but for the victory of the Nakdong River belt, the conservative right must unite," adding, "I will hold hands with her until the end and move forward as one team."

Daesik Kim, preliminary candidate for Sasang District of the People Power Party.

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