The three candidates running in the parliamentary by-election for Busan's Buk-gu A district — Han Dong-hoon, Ha Jung-woo, and Park Min-sik — held their final rallies a day before the main voting day, calling on supporters to rally behind them.
Han Dong-hoon, an independent candidate, said at his final rally held at Ssamji Park near Gupo Market, "I am indeed an outsider, but I have become a Buk-gu resident more than anyone else." He added, "I am grateful to the Buk-gu residents who have accepted me."
At Han's final rally, merchants from around Gupo Market whom Han had met during his campaign also took the stage to deliver speeches of support. The owner of Palpal Susan at Gupo Market, Hee-su — a girl with intellectual disabilities — and her mother, and Kim Bo-gap, an elderly woman known as "Chalbap Halmeoni" (Sticky Rice Grandmother), took turns at the microphone.
Hee-su's mother shed tears during her speech and said, "I met all three candidates this time, and Candidate Han was the one who listened to our story." She cried out, "Please help Candidate Han win. Please help our Ari live like a human being."
Han stressed, "I will listen to and act on the words of those who deserve more social consideration." He emphasized, "If something is truly necessary, I will put it first without weighing political calculations of gain or loss."
Han continued his criticism of President Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party. He claimed, "The Democratic Party is on a reckless drive, with the momentum to actually withdraw the prosecution against President Lee Jae-myung," arguing that "they put forward Candidate Ha Jung-woo as a proxy to gain permission for that reckless drive."
Targeting People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk, Han also said, "On one corner, the party leadership faction is casting a dark shadow over the Republic of Korea." He pointed out, "Lee Jae-myung's proxy Ha Jung-woo and Jang Dong-hyuk's proxy Park Min-sik are jointly attacking Han Dong-hoon, who seeks to rebuild the conservatives, like a KMT-CCP united front."
He added, "Starting a few days ago, I have been holding a 100-hour rally without sleep." He said, "I will respond with all my might to the sincerity of my supporters and repay them with an overwhelming victory."
He added, "I will definitely win and crush President Lee Jae-myung's reckless drive and rebuild the conservatives that Jang Dong-hyuk's party leadership faction is regressing." He noted, "I will join hands with anyone who shares the future vision of rebuilding the conservatives."
Right after Han's rally, Democratic Party candidate Ha Jung-woo held his final rally near Deokcheon Station, joined by Busan mayoral candidate Jeon Jae-soo.
Addressing supporters gathered on both sides of the road, Ha emphasized, "When older brother Jeon Jae-soo becomes mayor, he needs to produce results, and the person who can help produce those results is Ha Jung-woo." He added, "I will create opportunities for the children of my hometown Buk-gu to grow."
He continued, "When older brother Jeon Jae-soo becomes mayor, I will work my body to pieces so that Busan goes beyond being a maritime artificial intelligence (AI) capital and becomes a global maritime hub." He raised his voice, saying, "When the invincible armada of Lee Jae-myung, Jeon Jae-soo, and Ha Jung-woo for Buk-gu's development sets sail, our Busan will grow into the world's top maritime city."
Jeon said, "Can you make Busan a maritime capital by shaving your head every day and fighting with the central government and the president?" He added, "We need a Busan mayor from the powerful ruling party who can pull the central government's policies and budgets into Busan."
Jeon also appealed, "Shouldn't there be at least one solid ruling party member among Busan's 18 lawmakers?" He said, "Candidate Ha has already proven he works well, has expertise, and is bold. He is also from this region, so isn't that enough?"
Floor leader Song Eon-seok attended People Power Party candidate Park Min-sik's rally to lend his support. Song said, "Park Min-sik, who grew up in Busan, has long sacrificed for Buk-gu A, and communicated with residents, is the talent who must go to the National Assembly." He added, "Someone who knows Busan and has worked here must continue to grow as a worker for this region."
He stressed, "Someone who neither knows nor cares about the region suddenly comes around saying, 'I am a Buk-gu resident,' and you must not be deceived by that." He emphasized, "We need someone who is not a migratory bird but is rooted in the region and will devote himself wholeheartedly."
Park stressed grassroots sentiment, explaining, "Former Presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak, who were produced by the conservative camp, visited Busan and made remarks aimed at electing Park Min-sik, and independent candidate Kim Sung-geun also recently declared his support and withdrew." He added, "I feel that the grassroots sentiment of Buk-gu and the sincere hearts of residents are finally rising clearly to the surface."
