Busan by-election heats up with sharp exchanges between candidates
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Candidates in the Busan North District by-election are intensifying their campaigns and engaging in negative attacks ahead of the vote.
- Democratic candidate Ha Jeong-woo emphasizes local development, while independent candidate Han Dong-hoon vows to embody the spirit of former President Kim Young-sam.
- The race has become increasingly heated, with both candidates accusing each other of inappropriate conduct and demanding accountability.
With just three days remaining until the June 3 by-election for the Busan North District National Assembly seat, candidates Ha Jeong-woo of the Democratic Party and Han Dong-hoon, running as an independent, are intensifying their ground campaigns and engaging in increasingly sharp exchanges.
Isn't North District my hometown? If this hometown, which has lagged in development, achieves wonderful results through four years of development, wouldn't those results become a stepping stone for all of Busan, the entire Bu-Ul-Gyeong region, and even our nation?
Ha Jeong-woo has been actively touring various neighborhoods within his hometown of North District, focusing on grassroots engagement. He appealed to voters by stating, "Isn't North District my hometown? If this hometown, which has lagged in development, achieves wonderful results through four years of development, wouldn't those results become a stepping stone for all of Busan, the entire Bu-Ul-Gyeong region, and even our nation?"
Han Dong-hoon, on the other hand, has been meeting with residents in areas like Gupo-dong, Deokcheon-dong, and Mandeok-dong. He invoked the legacy of former President Kim Young-sam, declaring, "Since former President Kim Young-sam in 1992, there hasn't been a politician who could truly embody the justice and passionate spirit of the Busan citizens. I will inherit the spirit and courage of former President Kim. Thus, I will reawaken Busan's politics and open a new future for South Korea."
Since former President Kim Young-sam in 1992, there hasn't been a politician who could truly embody the justice and passionate spirit of the Busan citizens. I will inherit the spirit and courage of former President Kim. Thus, I will reawaken Busan's politics and open a new future for South Korea.
The race has seen escalating negative campaigning. Ha Jeong-woo posted a video on Facebook titled "Difference in Attitude Towards the People," showing him confronting a supporter of Han Dong-hoon who was repeatedly demanding explanations about Ha's stock dealings in the AI startup Upstage. Ha's response was, "Again, again, again, again. You need time to explain, don't you? Time."
Again, again, again, again. You need time to explain, don't you? Time.
In response, Han Dong-hoon criticized Ha, asking, "Why do you try to pick a fight with ordinary citizens when you're too scared to fight me?" Ha retaliated by posting a message on Facebook titled "Busan North District Resident Assault Incident, Candidate Han Dong-hoon, Please Respond." This post included a video appearing to show the individual in Han's video pushing another citizen, with Ha demanding, "Manage your fan club thoroughly."
Why do you try to pick a fight with ordinary citizens when you're too scared to fight me?
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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