People Power Party (PPP) lawmakers from Busan collectively protested after the ruling party blocked the "Busan Global Hub City Special Law" from being put to a vote at the National Assembly plenary session.
On May 31, PPP lawmakers representing Busan held a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. "At this point, this is not a delay but a deliberate obstruction," they said. "To whom does the Democratic Party's proposed 'five-day deliberation period' selectively apply?"
"The Democratic Party has rammed through bills with enormous impact on the national economy and society — the Yellow Envelope Act, three broadcasting laws, tougher special counsel bills, and the Constitutional Court Act — without properly observing any deliberation period," they continued. "The public holiday law, which passed the standing committee on the same day, was referred to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee without any issue. So why is 'procedure' being invoked only against the Busan Global Hub City Special Law?"
"The more serious problem is that the Democratic Party is using regional development legislation itself as an election tool," the lawmakers said. "Did they hold up this urgent special law to create a narrative that Rep. Jeon Jae-su pushed it through, timed to his candidacy announcement?"
Busan Mayor Park Heong-jun, who shaved his head to demand passage of the law, said, "They say they will shower Honam with money and special privileges in the name of integration, yet they try to crush Busan's struggle to stand on its own feet." He added, "They talk about making Busan a maritime capital and a hub city for the Northern Sea Route, yet they oppose the very law that contains those conditions — just because it was pursued under a People Power Party administration?"
"Stop putting political labels on laws and policies meant for regional and national development," Park said. "If they continue to block this, the citizens of Busan will not stand idly by."
Meanwhile, on the same day, the National Assembly plenary session passed the "Special Act Amendment for the Establishment of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province and the Creation of a Global Bio-Economy City" and the "Special Act Amendment for the Establishment of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and the Creation of a Future Industry Global City."