Song Eon-seog, floor leader of the People Power Party, took part in a Busan kickoff rally on the 21st, criticized Busan mayoral candidate Chun Jae-soo of the Democratic Party of Korea, and appealed for support for Busan Mayor candidate Park Heong-joon and North District Gap by-election candidate for the National Assembly Park Min-sik.
Song said at the People Power Party's "Busan Victory Joint Kickoff Rally" held that afternoon at Busan Station Square, "This election is a local election to choose community workers, but it can't help but be a midterm judgment showing what public sentiment is toward the Lee Jae-myung administration that is going the wrong way."
Regarding candidate Park Heong-joon, Song stressed, "For the past five years, he has devoted himself solely to Busan's development and led the region's progress," adding, "He is someone who combines excellent administrative ability and policy capacity. For Busan's development, he even resolved to shave his head with the mindset of sparing nothing."
Aiming at candidate Chun Jae-soo, Song said, "Wasn't it the case that he ultimately blocked the special act we worked hard to craft for Busan's development from passing?" and argued, "He says he supported it at first, but in the end he blocked Busan's development."
Song continued, "At the opening of candidate Park Min-sik's campaign office last time, I asked Busan citizens, 'What did Representative Chun Jae-soo do for 10 years?' I want to ask what he did over 10 years besides shaking hands with local residents," adding, "If a person lacks policy capacity, at least their character should be decent, shouldn't it? Can we entrust the future of 3 million Busan citizens to someone who lacks ability and has issues with character?"
Of candidate Park Min-sik, Song said, "He is a local who graduated from Gupo elementary, middle, and high schools," and praised him as "someone who loves his hometown and will be responsible for and advance it going forward."
Song said, "The only mayoral candidate who will be responsible for Busan for the next four years is Park Heong-joon," and appealed, "Please choose candidate Park Min-sik so we can increase Busan's seats in the National Assembly by even one." Song added, "Please choose both regional development and a check on the administration."
Next, candidate Park Min-sik held a campaign kickoff rally at a pocket park near Gupo Market in Buk District, Busan, and conducted a head-shaving ceremony. Park's mother personally held clippers and shaved candidate Park Min-sik's hair.
Candidate Park Min-sik said, "There will be absolutely no consolidation (with independent candidate Han Dong-hoon)," and criticized, "Candidate Han is a cruel betrayer who insulted conservatives and plunged the party into disarray." He went on, "I declare my final sortie, staking my political life. This fight is a desperate battle to end the arrogant politics of betrayal and to defeat Democratic Party candidate Ha Jung-woo, full of hypocrisy, and the Lee Jae-myung government."