Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon visited Gupo Market in Buk-gu, Busan, on the afternoon of the 7th. Following a trip to Daegu at the end of last month, Han visited Busan, considered one of the battlegrounds in the local elections, and drew a sharp contrast with leader Jang Dong-hyeok and the Lee Jae-myung administration.
Visiting Gupo Market that day, the former leader said, "Busan is always a symbol of a come-from-behind victory," adding, "The rebuilding of the conservatives is not for the election of conservative politicians but so that Korea can develop in a balanced way and all of us can live well."
The former leader spent about an hour and a half touring Gupo Market and greeting merchants. He bought seafood, vegetables, and fruit, and also had dwaeji gukbap for lunch. Lawmakers from the pro-Han faction who accompanied him on his previous visit to Daegu did not join the Gupo Market visit that day. Instead, they appeared to continue their solidarity by dining with the former leader in Busan the previous day.
On a small stage inside Gupo Market, the former leader said, "The stock index is hitting 5,000 and 6,000, but the lives of ordinary people and market merchants are not improving," adding, "The success of the economy is judged not by securities firm employees but by Gupo Market merchants."
He went on, "A 6,000 stock index is thanks to the semiconductor cycle, not the policies of the Lee Jae-myung administration," adding, "Even if former President Yoon Suk-yeol had not declared martial law and were still in politics, it would have hit 6,000."
The former leader said, "Merchants' lives are difficult, but only by rebuilding the conservatives can Korea develop in a balanced way and all of us live well," adding, "I will continue to visit traditional markets nationwide and stand with citizens' lives."
Later, meeting with reporters, he addressed former Minister Chun Jae-soo of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries running as the ruling party's Busan mayoral candidate, saying, "The conservatives are in a severe state of near-collapse, and this is happening because the main opposition party (People Power Party) is failing to play its role," adding, "In the past, if such problems came to light, one would not have dared to put one's face forward for a position like this."
Asked whether he would run in Busan Buk-gu Gap, the constituency of the former Minister, he said, "There can be various interpretations, but I will focus on rebuilding the conservatives," adding, "With the former President Yoon Suk-yeol guilty verdict putting the conservatives on the brink of extinction, I believe this moment is a crucial time to rebuild."
Regarding criticism from the People Power Party leadership of the former leader's moves, he said, "My first words after expulsion were that I would return to the People Power Party," adding, "I have no intention of engaging in exclusionary politics."