Chun Jae-soo, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Busan mayor, said on the 9th, "We will harness the passion and energy of Busan citizens to push ahead toward the maritime capital Busan."
At the opening ceremony held that afternoon at the campaign office in Busan's Jin District, Chun said, "Unproductive city governance has continued for 30 years. Now we must deliver results with a clear direction and purpose for Busan's future," and stated accordingly.
Chun continued, "The June 3 local elections are for Busan's development, but fundamentally they are elections for Korea to overcome the capital area's single-core system," adding, "We must complete the maritime capital Busan so it can compete on equal footing with the capital area, and Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) must become Korea's new growth engine."
Chun also said, "The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries came to Busan, HMM finalized its transfer to Busan, and through the maritime court to be inaugurated in 2028 and the Southeast Region Investment Corporation now underway, the foundation of the maritime capital Busan is being laid," adding, "This election is an opportunity for Busan to emerge from a 30-year-long tunnel of stagnation."
Jung Chung-rae, the Democratic Party leader, also attended the opening ceremony. Jung said, "Because Chun Jae-soo was there, because President Lee Jae-myung was there, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries transferred to Busan," adding, "Busan is not a city people leave; it will become a maritime capital ushering in a Busan Renaissance era of renewed takeoff."