Preliminary candidates for Daegu mayor from the People Power Party said in a debate on the 30th that they would "save Daegu in crisis." But the debate featured sharp vetting over candidates' qualifications alongside a battle over campaign promises. For Choo Kyung-ho, questions focused on legal risk and ownership of an apartment in Gangnam, while for Choi Eun-seok, questions arose about a rumored prearranged nomination.
The People Power Party held the first vision debate for the Daegu mayoral primary at 6 p.m. that day. Lawmakers Yoon Jae-ok, Choi Eun-seok, Yoo Young-ha, and Choo Kyung-ho, and preliminary candidates Hong Seok-joon and Lee Jae-man took part in the debate. Earlier, on the 22nd, the People Power Party's nomination management committee cut off (excluded from nomination) lawmaker Joo Ho-young and former Korea Communications Commission member Lee Jin-sook.
In their opening remarks, the candidates diagnosed the crisis facing Daegu and each emphasized that they were the right person to lead an economic recovery.
Candidate Yoon Jae-ok said, "I have built trust that crosses party lines while serving in several posts, including floor leader," and said, "I am someone who can open the central government's coffers and secure Daegu's share." Candidate Choi Eun-seok said, "Before becoming a lawmaker, as a chief executive officer (CEO) of a large company leading 35,000 executives and employees, I generated revenues larger than Daegu City's budget," and said, "I will apply the management DNA that grew corporations to Daegu City."
Candidate Hong Seok-joon said, "I worked for Daegu City for 24 years, served as head of the Economic Affairs Bureau, and built industrial infrastructure directly," and said, "With experience delivering results on the ground, I will save Daegu." Candidate Yoo Young-ha said, "I have experience standing together not when power shone brightest, but during difficult and trying times," and said, "I will revive Daegu's economy with execution, not showy politics."
Candidate Lee Jae-man said, "I have succeeded in local projects such as developing Dongdaegu Station and attracting the Shinsegae Department Store," and said, "With experience proven by results, I will build Daegu's future." Candidate Choo Kyung-ho said, "I served as deputy prime minister for the economy and as floor leader, experiencing the economy and overall administration," and said, "I will pour the expertise and political skills I have accumulated into Daegu's economic recovery."
In the subsequent floor-leadership debate, sharp vetting over candidates' qualifications continued.
Candidate Hong Seok-joon raised Choo Kyung-ho's legal risk and noted it could hinder performance of the mayoral duties. Choo is on trial on charges of abetting insurrection as the People Power Party floor leader during the Dec. 3 martial law declaration. Hong said, "If the trial continues, wouldn't it be difficult to focus on city affairs?" In response, Choo said it was "a political scheme by the Democratic Party" and countered, "The probability of a guilty verdict is lower than the chance of being struck by lightning."
Candidate Lee Jae-man directly challenged Choo Kyung-ho, saying, "While owning a 3 billion won apartment in Gangnam and living on a jeonse lease in a 300 million won home in your district, can you properly understand the lives of Daegu citizens?" and asked, "Can you immediately dispose of that apartment and purchase a home in Daegu?"
In response, Choo said, "I was born and raised in Daegu and am still active there," and countered, "It is excessive to judge by placing residence and ownership on the same line." He added, "It is difficult to promise immediate disposal," but also said, "If necessary, purchasing a home for ordinary people can be considered."
A rumored prearranged nomination surrounding candidate Choi Eun-seok also resurfaced. Candidate Lee Jae-man asked, "What is the reason you did not demand a fair primary?" Choi drew a line, saying, "There was no prior communication at all with the nomination committee." He said, "There were media reports (about the rumor), but no one has ever told me I was prearranged," and countered, "The very situation in which candidates are competing together now shows that the rumor is not true."
Meanwhile, the People Power Party will hold one more Daegu mayoral vision debate on Apr. 13 and then narrow the field to two finalists for the main primary. It plans to hold the main primary debate on the 19th of the same month and announce the final candidate on the 26th.