People Power Party Gyeonggi Governor Debate: Focus on Criticizing Choo and Scrutinizing Yang (Comprehensive)

Ahead of the nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3, preliminary candidates for the People Power Party gubernatorial race in Gyeonggi Province faced off in a primary debate. Supreme Council member Yang Hyangja directed sharp criticism at Assemblywoman Choo Mi-ae, the Democratic Party's candidate for Gyeonggi Governor, while former MBC announcer Lee Seongbae and former Assemblyman Ham Jinkyu countered Yang by raising issues about her tenure as a Supreme Council member and her frequent changes in party positions.

On the 26th, at the People Power Party Central Office in Yeouido, Seoul, preliminary candidates are taking a commemorative photo during the Vision Debate for the People's Power Party Gyeonggi Province Governor primary election for the June 3 local elections. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

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On the afternoon of the 26th, the People Power Party held the "9th National Simultaneous Local Elections Gyeonggi Governor Primary Vision Debate" organized by the party. The event was attended by Supreme Council member Yang, former MBC announcer Lee, and former Assemblyman Ham, who are all preliminary candidates for the Gyeonggi governorship.

The three candidates criticized Assemblywoman Choo, the Democratic Party’s Gyeonggi gubernatorial candidate, claiming she was unprepared for the position. Yang said, "Choo’s economic policies are nothing more than slogans or declarations since she has no expertise in advanced industries or the economy," adding, "There’s no visible strategy or method." Ham also remarked, "Choo only talks about prosecution reform," and questioned, "What does prosecution reform have to do with Gyeonggi Province?"

Tensions also arose among the three candidates. In particular, Ham and Lee intensified their scrutiny of Yang’s political identity. They questioned Yang’s continued activity as a Supreme Council member while running as a preliminary candidate for Gyeonggi Governor, and also raised issues about her multiple party affiliations-having entered politics through the Democratic Party, moved to Korea's Hope, then the Reform New Party, and now the People Power Party.

Ham stated, "Yang has changed her party affiliation eight times since 2016. In the past five years, she switched once every year. I have never seen anything like this before." Regarding this, Yang explained, "During the 2024 legislative standoff over prosecution reform, I defied the Democratic Party, refused to return, and chose to act according to my convictions. After that, I founded Korea's Hope, merged with the Reform New Party, and then came to the People Power Party as a presidential primary candidate."

Lee also pointed out that Yang’s campaign slogan-"The era of 100 million won per capita GRDP in Gyeonggi"-was unrealistic. He argued, "SK hynix's first-quarter operating profit is 37 trillion won, and excluding corporate income tax, only 750 billion won is local tax income, which is 1 trillion won per quarter. If this is converted to per capita GRDP, it amounts to only about 3 million won."

The debate also addressed Gyeonggi Province's pressing transportation issues. Lee pledged, "I will build more comprehensive metropolitan transportation and transfer centers," and added, "By analyzing the bus system using AI-based data and proposing solutions, we will create a structure that allows for faster commuting." Ham stated, "(Based on my experience as president of Korea Expressway Corporation,) I will target and resolve congested sections."

The preliminary candidates also expressed their determination to fully demonstrate their competitiveness in the remaining primaries. In her closing remarks, Yang stated, "I will create diverse and future-oriented policies for working mothers," and promised, "I will introduce the childcare systems of global advanced companies."

Lee said, "To defeat the Democratic Party candidate, we need a true policy expert in the race," and emphasized, "I’m not running just because I’m young-I am thoroughly prepared." Ham remarked, "Gyeonggi Province is not a rehearsal stage for the presidential election, a stopover for political migratory birds, or a training ground for beginners. A mediator for residents’ livelihoods is absolutely necessary."

During the opening statements earlier in the debate, the candidates not only criticized Assemblywoman Choo but also addressed the North-South divide in the province and job creation challenges. Ham stated, "Korea has become a bulletproof republic for Lee Jae-myung, heading toward dictatorship. There's not a single piece of good news regarding prices, real estate, or transportation," adding, "The opposition should be a source of hope during such times, but it's instead confusing." He further stressed, "We must overcome despair and courageously talk about the future."

Yang said, "This election is about Yang Hyangja and our people of Gyeonggi driving out Choo, who is ashamed of the province," adding, "Even People Power Party leader Jang Donghyeok acknowledged that Yang Hyangja is Choo’s natural adversary." She continued, "(Gyeonggi Province is) a mega economic city with a GRDP of 650 trillion won," and asserted, "A competent governor who can foster advanced industries vital for national security is urgently needed. We will show the People Power Party’s capabilities."

Lee pointed out, "(In Gyeonggi Province) commutes are long, housing costs are high, and the gap between the north and south remains wide. While the industry has grown, the benefits have not reached the residents’ lives." He added, "(The Gyeonggi Province I envision is) a place where jobs lead to housing, housing is connected to education and transportation, and culture and leisure thrive. I will make Gyeonggi’s heart beat again."

Meanwhile, following this first debate, the People Power Party plans to hold a second vision debate on the 28th. The final candidate is scheduled to be announced on May 2.

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