Chun Jae-soo, a lawmaker who additionally applied as a preliminary candidate for Busan mayor from the Democratic Party of Korea, appeared for the nomination interview and called for a primary. Addressing allegations of receiving money and valuables, he dismissed concerns, saying, "I am not worried in the slightest."
The Democratic Party of Korea central party nomination management committee on the 17th in the morning conducted an interview with lawmaker Chun Jae-soo, who registered as a preliminary candidate for Busan metropolitan mayor. Earlier, Chairperson Kim Yi-soo of the nomination management committee said in a briefing at the party headquarters on the 2nd, "We have resolved to additionally invite applications for the Busan metropolitan mayor candidate, and we will accept applications from Mar. 9 to 13." Initially, only Lee Jae-sung, former Busan city party chair, registered as a preliminary candidate for Busan mayor and was interviewed alone, but after lawmaker Chun Jae-soo applied in the additional call on the 13th, the interview was held that day.
In the interview, the lawmaker said, "While serving as the inaugural Minister of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in the Lee Jae-myung administration, I laid the groundwork for Busan to leap forward as a maritime capital through the transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the relocation of shipping companies' headquarters, and attracting a maritime specialty court," adding, "I will join hands with Busan citizens and pour all my capabilities into making Busan a maritime capital."
After the interview, meeting with reporters, the lawmaker stressed the need for a primary. "From a party affairs perspective, a single-candidate nomination could be decided based on fitness survey results, but my view is different," he said, adding, "It is proper to give an opportunity to a candidate with vision and passion, like former Chair Lee Jae-sung, who registered as a preliminary candidate a month ago and has been traveling across Busan."
The lawmaker also denied allegations of receiving money and valuables related to the Unification Church. He said, "I have said it many times, but you don't need to worry in the slightest," adding, "Busan has 18 National Assembly members, but only one is from the Democratic Party. If there had been even a hint of suspicion, could I have stepped down from that position and run?"