Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon on the 23rd began a head-shaving protest, urging swift passage of the special act for Busan Global Hub City.
At an emergency press conference on the steps in front of the main National Assembly building that day, Park said, "I will shave my head to defend the last pride of Busan citizens," and added, "If the special act that citizens have long yearned for does not pass, Busan citizens will not sit by."
Park said, "I have always believed that politics should be solved with logic and reason, so I was negative about self-harming acts like shaving one's head or fasting," adding, "This time, I changed my mind. I realized that no matter how 100% rational something is, when faced with the wall of politicization, you cannot take a single step forward unless you confront it with resolve."
Park said, "It's the same regional development law—Jeonbuk qualifies, Gangwon qualifies, so why not Busan?" adding, "If this isn't discrimination against Busan, what is it?"
The special act for Busan Global Hub City that Park is demanding would apply regulatory and tax exemptions to develop Busan into a southern-region hub city centered on logistics, finance, and high-tech industries. After the bill was jointly introduced in May 2024 by Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Chun Jae-soo and People Power Party lawmaker Lee Heon-seung, it has been pending for nearly two years in the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee.
Park said, "The key bill that will help Busan leap into a world-class city like Singapore or Dubai is the global hub city special act," adding, "Representative Jung Chung-rae, answer. Chairperson Yoon Kun-young of the first bill review subcommittee of the Public Administration and Security Committee, answer. Lawmaker Chun Jae-soo, who led the bill, answer."
Park said, "We are now at the final stretch. My term is almost over, and if we don't pass it this time, I won't be able to show my face in Busan," arguing, "There is no partisan element, and consultations with the government are done, so the Public Administration and Security Committee's continued delay is irresponsible."
Busan-area lawmakers including Jeong Dong-man, Kim Mi-ae, Jeong Seong-guk, and Kim Dae-sik attended Park's head-shaving event.
Park has thrown his hat in the ring for a third term as Busan mayor in this local election. He is currently competing in an intraparty primary against People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo.