The Democratic Party of Korea confirmed Chun Jae-soo as its candidate for Busan mayor in the June 3 local elections.
On the 9th at the central party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, So Byung-hoon, chair of the Democratic Party's Central Election Management Committee, said former lawmaker Chun was selected as the final candidate with the highest vote total in the Busan mayoral primary. The Democratic Party of Korea held a primary from the 7th to the 9th with former lawmaker Chun and former Busan party chair Lee Jae-sung participating.
Immediately after his nomination was confirmed, candidate Chun wrote on Facebook, "I, Chun Jae-soo, will take responsibility to the end and fulfill the dream of President Roh Moo-hyun, who devoted everything to Busan," adding, "I, Chun Jae-soo, who led the transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, will prove Busan as a maritime capital with results."
Chun said, "I will be a capable Busan mayor with strength who will work with President Lee Jae-myung, who gets things done," adding, "The maritime capital zone, together with the Seoul capital zone, will become the two wings of the Republic of Korea and lead a great leap forward."
Chun served three terms representing Buk-gu Gap in Busan. Under the Lee Jae-myung administration, he served as Minister of Oceans and Fisheries and also led the transfer of the ministry to Busan. At a press conference announcing his candidacy on the 2nd, Chun said, "I will complete the miracle of Busan's revival, begun with the transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, by making Busan a maritime capital."
Judicial risks are cited as Chun's weakness. The former lawmaker has been under investigation for four months on suspicion of receiving money and valuables from the Unification Church.