Jung Chung-rae, chair of the Democratic Party of Korea, said Thursday that for Busan Buk-gu Gap, where a by-election will be held following Jeon Jae-su's bid for Busan mayor, "we will prepare and present a very excellent and popular candidate."
Jung made the remarks after visiting Bujeon Market in Busanjin-gu, Busan to meet with citizens. "We will carefully prepare candidates to make Busan a city that can prove the success of the Lee Jae-myung government," he said. The party has tapped Ha Jung-woo, senior presidential secretary for AI and future planning, as its candidate for the district and is working to secure his candidacy. Jung plans to meet Ha in person soon to request his bid.
"We will never look arrogant or hold our heads high just because public sentiment is favorable," Jung said. "We will meet citizens with a humble, low posture."
He also promoted Jeon Jae-su, the party's candidate seeking to win back the Busan mayoral seat. "Watching how he meets Busan citizens, just as he did in his constituency, he seems as friendly as a neighbor," Jung said. "That warm, down-to-earth, unpretentious image is what makes Jeon Jae-su strong."
"As party chair, I will do everything I can to win the Busan mayoral local election," he added. "I will stake the fate of the Lee Jae-myung government on this and run really hard."
Regarding the local atmosphere, Jung said, "It seemed like several times more citizens came to shake my hand first than me reaching out to them. I've visited Busan many times, but this is the first time I've felt such a welcome."
