Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Chung-rae visited Gupo Market in Busan's Buk-gu district with Ha Jung-woo, former Presidential Secretary for AI and Future Planning, who is running as the Democratic Party candidate in the June by-election for the Busan Buk-gu A National Assembly seat. "We will work ourselves to the bone to repay the love we receive from Busan," Jung said. Ha appealed for support, saying, "I will work so hard for the development of Busan and Buk-gu that I could disappear from exhaustion."
Jung and Ha listened to residents at Gupo Market for about an hour that day. Sharing an umbrella, the two actively engaged with citizens and merchants at the site, taking photos with residents and slicing fresh meat at a butcher shop.
Meeting with reporters, Jung said, "I have been visiting many grassroots sites, but today I was truly surprised," adding, "Busan citizens gave us an enthusiastic welcome."
"Many people knew that candidate Ha graduated from Gudeok High School, and interest seemed very high," he added. "It felt like a triumphant homecoming, as if welcoming a son who had left his hometown, succeeded, and returned."
He also stressed, "We love Gupo just as passionately as its residents, but we will work hard with a very low and humble attitude, holding onto that spirit to the end." He continued, "Regarding Busan, I will serve as the head of a 'Do-Everything Center,' raising high the banner of Busan's development and its status as a maritime capital, and doing our best until Busan citizens say 'OK.'"
Introducing himself as "a son of Buk-gu," Ha said, "Every time I come to Gupo Market, people welcome me so warmly that I am always energized." He added, "I will not lose my original resolve and will continue to visit, listening humbly with a low-profile attitude."
Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, who is running as an independent in the Buk-gu A by-election, and People Power Party preliminary candidate Lee Young-poong also visited Gupo Market the same day, but did not encounter Jung and Ha.
