Park Heong-jun, the People Power Party's confirmed candidate for Busan mayor, has left open the possibility of an alliance with former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, who is running as an independent in the Busan Buk-gu A by-election. Park believes the conservative camp must come together to win the Busan election.
"In the process of thinking about how we can win the election, the question of an alliance inevitably comes up," Park said in an interview with Seoul Economic Daily on the 28th. "Once our party's candidate is confirmed, we will discuss an alliance with former leader Han."
On the same day, Park appointed former National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa, a five-term lawmaker from Busan's Jung-Dong district, as co-honorary chairman of the "Citizens' Grand Unity Election Committee," signaling the start of conservative consolidation.
Park also introduced his core pledge, saying, "We are preparing a pledge that turns 100 million won in assets into a Busan opportunity for young people who live and work hard in Busan for 10 years and add their own efforts." Under the youth support program, the Busan city government will contribute 70 million won to young people who save 250,000 won per month for 10 years.
-You are in a tight race with Democratic Party candidate Jun Jae-soo within the margin of error. The gap in approval ratings has narrowed.
△First, a convention effect has emerged as we went through the primary. After the candidate was decided, votes that had not surfaced are being realized, as shown in various polls. The fact that former leader Han is running in Busan Buk-gu A has also raised political attention. Our party's candidate for Buk-gu A has not yet been decided, but once decided, we cannot avoid discussing an alliance. Ultimately, it is a matter of unification. During the election, once National Assembly members also join the Busan election committee, we will set our direction through internal discussions.
-What distinguishes you from candidate Jun?
△In the early stages of the election, citizens judged based on central politics, but from now on, it is the "candidate's time." Citizens will evaluate who can make Busan a world city and properly improve the quality of life for Busan citizens. In that regard, I dare say that Busan's "class" has changed over the past five years. In particular, based on figures released yesterday, jobs in Busan reached an all-time high, and regular workers exceeded 1 million. Busan's growth rate of permanent positions is 12.93 percent. Over the past five years, it was 5.39 percent in Seoul, -3.28 percent in Daegu, and 4.67 percent in Incheon. This is thanks to significant expansion of jobs in new industries such as services, finance, and telecommunications. What supported this qualitative shift in employment was a 28-fold increase in attracted investment compared to 2020 and Busan's new industry policies. The person who built the pillars over the past five years must now raise the roof.
-Candidate Jun changed his position on the passage of the Busan Global Hub City Special Act. How do you assess this?
△He had been boasting that "as a ruling party mayor, I will demonstrate political effectiveness" and that "there is no problem with the special act," but after a single word from the president, he is making nonsensical remarks. Redesigning it now means nothing more than not wanting to fall out of favor with the president. There is no problem with the current content of the special act. If there is anything to add to the special act, it can be added at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. If one wants to become Busan mayor, one must value responsibility and honesty.
-What challenges must be resolved if you are elected?
△The cities Busan must compete with are not Seoul, but world-class maritime hub cities such as Singapore, Dubai, and Hong Kong. Gadeokdo New Airport is needed to compete with these cities. For Busan, which has the world's second-largest transshipment port, not having a world-class logistics airport is like clipping its wings. The relocation of the Korea Development Bank to Busan is also urgent. Even after the government notification was completed, it is being held back by political calculations. I will resolve this. I will also pass the "Busan Global Hub City Special Act," which stipulates the minimum regulatory and tax exemptions needed for Busan to grow into an international maritime city, as soon as possible.
-What is your core pledge?
△It is the youth pledge. The goal is to show that the "Busan opportunity" is greater than the "Seoul opportunity." I will announce specifics soon, but the plan is to allow young people in Busan to hold at least 100 million won in assets if they save 250,000 won per month for 10 years. If a young person saves alone, it would be 30 million won, but with matching from the Busan city government, 100 million won in assets would accumulate. Under the single-pole system centered on the greater Seoul area, the phenomenon of young people looking only to Seoul has intensified. I will give confidence to young people who want to return if there are opportunities in Busan.
