On the 27th, the People Power Party and the Democratic Party of Korea clashed again over the construction project of 'Wave Park,' an artificial surfing facility in Geumgok Island in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province.
The People Power Party strongly criticized Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate, stating that the Wave Park project he promoted during his time as Governor of Gyeonggi Province only left behind a stagnant business district and damages to investments.
Kim Yong-tae, the emergency response committee chair, noted, "Although the candidate boasted that the Wave Park opened up avenues for survival, Geumgok Island was a 'paradise for fraudulent distributors.'" He pointed out, "The prices peaked and then plummeted, with a 12-pyeong store on the first floor dropping from 1 billion won to below 200 million won."
He continued, "The promised landmark was never built, and the hotel economy theory of Lee Jae-myung, which claimed economic activity would flow after a roundabout tour, also did not work," adding, "What remains are only politicians who repeat their boasts."
Park Sung-hoon, spokesperson for the central presidential election committee, criticized, "The Democratic Party blames the vacant commercial spaces on the Park Geun-hye government, and attributes the poor performance of the Wave Park, which the candidate claimed to have struggled to attract, to COVID-19," stating, "The Democratic Party's attitude of 'If it does well, it's my credit; if it doesn't, it's someone else's fault' is shameless beyond irresponsibility."
The People Power Party announced plans to establish a special committee for fact-finding and to prepare measures at the national and local government levels.
In response, the Democratic Party of Korea remarked, "The Geumgok Island project started in 2010 when Kim Moon-soo was governor of Gyeonggi Province and signed a development agreement with Siheung City and the Siheung Shihwa Multi-Techno Valley," countering the criticisms from the People Power Party as 'double standards.'
Park Kyung-mi, spokesperson for the election committee, said, "Candidate Lee Jae-myung was only trying to activate Geumgok Island by bringing in the world's largest artificial surfing facility, Wave Park."
Additionally, they countered by mentioning allegations of favoritism, such as support for specific companies during Kim Moon-soo's tenure as governor and misuse of official buses and firefighting helicopters, stating, "Allegations surrounding candidate Kim, who emphasized integrity, never cease."