Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok on the 14th aimed at Democratic Party of Korea candidate Lee Jae-myung, stating, "The public must not stand by while clumsy eccentric economics shakes the Republic of Korea."
The candidate met with reporters after a meeting with religious leaders at Anyangam in Beomeosa, Geumjeong District, Busan, on the same day. He commented on Lee Jae-myung's pledge to attract the HMM headquarters to Busan on the same day, saying, "Pledges that increase uncertainty for individual companies should be avoided."
He noted, "Lee Jae-myung seems to have brought up the transfer of HMM as another card because he was criticized for being lukewarm about the previous transfer of the Industrial Bank." He added, "Simply proposing this for purchasing votes in Busan is risky," and suggested that financial regulations could be reduced by designating Busan as a special zone and implementing special laws, while also encouraging the relocation of securities firms by lowering the security transaction tax and The Special Tax for Rural Development.
The candidate also took a stance against Lee Jae-myung regarding former Presidents Kim Young-sam and Roh Moo-hyun, both from Busan. He stated, "I do not believe that Lee Jae-myung, who frequently undermines the spirit of the constitution, embodies the spirit of former Presidents Kim and Roh, who represent Busan." He then pointed out, regarding his connection to former President Roh, "I know how to speak up and can articulate difficult topics." He continued, "I propose that Lee Jae-myung engage in genuine dialogue about the future of Busan instead of hurling purchasing pledges without discussion."
Meanwhile, he commented on the fact that lawyer Seok Dong-hyun, who was an attorney during the impeachment trial of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, joined the People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo's camp, saying, "It has been revealed in broad daylight that the big tent was practically a move toward a coalition with forces of electoral fraud, such as the Liberty Unification Party and Hwang Kyo-ahn." He added, "Though the pronunciation may be similar, there is a clear distinction between the martial law conservatives and reform conservatives, stating that 'Big tent martial law conservatism cannot create an impact, no matter how hard they try.'"