Lee Jun-seok: "Youth Exodus in Busan Due to Outdated Politics... Betting on Change with Young Candidates"

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party, defined the outflow of young people from Busan as a result of political failure and sought to differentiate his party from the established political circles by fronting young candidates.

On the 16th, Lee held an onsite supreme council meeting in Busan, where he stated, "Over the past 23 years, 550,000 young people have left Busan, and now the population aged 65 and over in Busan has surpassed 800,000." He emphasized, "The fact that Busan has become the first among the six major metropolitan cities to enter the stage of risk of extinction is the responsibility of politics."

He further pointed out, "With the same style of politics, we cannot expect different results."

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party, is speaking at the onsite supreme council meeting held in Busan on the 16th. Photo by Yonhap News

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Addressing the People Power Party, he criticized, "For 30 years, they have called Busan their 'home turf,' but after each election, they have neglected the city," mentioning the failure to secure the Busan Expo and delays in the new airport project on Gadeokdo. He also said, "There has been a repeated pattern of talking only about the future while ignoring the need to improve reality."

He also took aim at the Democratic Party of Korea, saying, "After barely handing over city administration to them in 2018, they tarnished Busan’s reputation with a nationwide scandal, and now, they shamelessly nominate a candidate at the center of Unification Church allegations."

As an alternative, the Reform New Party has put forward young candidates, including Jeong Ihan, born in 1988, for the upcoming local elections in Busan. Lee stated, "We have recruited candidates in their 30s from Busanjingu, as well as talents from the science sector and the logistics industry." He added, "Every candidate we are presenting is young. A generation that understands the field can transform the city’s competitiveness."

Lee declared, "As the ebb tide of old politics recedes, the Reform New Party is challenging Busan to plant a tide of youth. Let this election be the first tidal wave that fills Busan’s void with youth."

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