'Independent Candidate' Jang Ye-chan: "I'm Not Running to Fight Against the People Power Party"

"Independent Candidacy, Prioritizing Suyeong-gu Development"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Jang Ye-chan, former Supreme Youth Member of the People Power Party, stated on the 19th that his independent candidacy is aimed at the "success of the People Power Party, the Yoon Seok-yeol government, and the development of Suyeong District, Busan," expressing that he has no intention of opposing the People Power Party.

On the same day, Jang appeared consecutively on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' and YTN Radio's 'News King Park Ji-hoon' and said, "I want to develop my hometown Suyeong District, where I was born and raised, and take the lead in fighting for the Yoon Seok-yeol government, the People Power Party, and conservatism."

Regarding the tears shed during his press conference on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' on the 19th, former Supreme Youth Member Jang Ye-chan said, "I felt grateful and encouraged as hundreds of supporters gathered to cheer me on."

He added, "I also feel sorry about the past remarks that were previously reported," and said, "I think I unconsciously got emotional because I felt that I have been fighting for the People Power Party and conservative parties in a lonely and difficult way."

On the reason for pushing forward with his independent candidacy, Jang said, "I thought about the development of Suyeong District first. To properly protect Suyeong's development, I believed that someone who knows Suyeong well and can communicate with the president at any time to secure development budgets is necessary."

He continued, "After the general election, I don't see many people in the People Power Party who will fight properly," and said, "After much thought that we cannot be greenhouse flowers, I decided that as a weed, I should enter the National Assembly and fight to represent the People Power Party and protect the Yoon Seok-yeol government."

Regarding suspicions that there was communication with the Yongsan Presidential Office about his decision to run as an independent, Jang said, "I don't think it is appropriate to go into detail about who I contacted individually or what was discussed," and drew a line by saying, "This is a cross I must bear, so I consider it my own choice."

However, through the press conference, Jang emphasized his close relationship with President Yoon Seok-yeol as his top aide. There are opinions that his opposition to the party's nomination and independent candidacy could burden not only the party but also the president. Jang said, "I did not come out to fight against the People Power Party." He explained, "I expect that the People Power Party will not easily criticize or attack me, knowing that I have devoted myself to fighting on the front lines for the past few years," and added, "I believe my candidacy can compensate for the current lack of aggressiveness and fighting spirit in the People Power Party, as well as the shortcomings that traditional supporters and conservative voters feel about the party."

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