Can Busan Escape the Karma of the Three-Party Merger?

Busan, once the proud second city of South Korea, now finds itself in a state of gentle decline, a shadow of its former self. The vibrant spirit that once defined this port metropolis is fading, replaced by a stark reality: a city of 'the elderly and the sea.' This decline, as we at Hankyoreh see it, stems from two critical failures: the relentless concentration of power and opportunity in the Seoul capital region, and more pointedly, the profound missteps in Busan's own political landscape.

Our city's history is deeply intertwined with the struggle for democracy. Figures like Kim Young-sam, a titan of the opposition, hailed from Busan, embodying the city's defiant spirit against authoritarian rule. The pivotal Bu-Ma Democratization Movement of 1979, sparked by student protests in Busan, was a watershed moment, directly contributing to the downfall of the Park Chung-hee dictatorship. Busan was a beacon of resistance, a testament to the courage of its people.

However, the narrative took a dark turn with the 1990 three-party merger. This political maneuver, driven by personal ambition rather than principle, is seen by many, including ourselves, as a betrayal of Busan's democratic legacy. It effectively traded the city's hard-won political influence for a Faustian bargain, solidifying a 영남 (Yeongnam) regional hegemony and isolating the 호남 (Honam) region. The consequences have been dire, cementing a regional divide that continues to plague our nation's politics and transforming Busan from a bastion of democracy into a stronghold of conservatism.

The election results since the merger speak volumes. With only one exception in 2018, the mayoral seat has consistently fallen to conservative candidates. Even presidential elections show a stark preference for conservative parties. This shift is a painful reminder of how political decisions made decades ago continue to shape our city's identity and future. At Hankyoreh, we believe it is crucial to confront this history and understand how Busan's political trajectory has been so dramatically altered, impacting not just our city but the very fabric of Korean democracy.