Ha, "Policy Should Reflect Residents' Views"; Park, "A Sincere Worker"; Han, "We Have the Power to Bring Change" [June 3 Local Elections]

\r\n\r\n\r\n【Financial News
】 Buk-gu Gap, Busan, has become a true hot spot. It is drawing the most attention among the by-elections for National Assembly seats being held in 14 districts nationwide on June 3. The Democratic Party of Korea has fielded Ha Jung-woo, the first Senior Presidential Secretary for AI Future Planning at the Blue House, while the PPP has put forward Park Min-sik, a two-term lawmaker and former Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA). Han Dong-hoon, who once led the PPP but has since been expelled, has also entered the race as an independent. Each of them is appealing for support, saying they will restore vitality to Buk District, which has fallen into stagnation, though in different ways.
At 7 a.m. on the 19th, Ha Jung-woo began his day at a traffic island near Gupo-dong in Buk District, waving to commuters starting their day. Wearing a placard around his neck that read 'I do 1, Ha Jung-woo,' he walked the streets with a notebook in one hand. He even spoke to an elderly man pushing a forklift across the road, telling him to be careful. Drivers stopped at a traffic light were also seen filming him from their cars.
He prides himself on being the only Buk-gu Gap candidate who carries a notebook. Like his nickname, 'HaGPT' (Ha Jung-woo + ChatGPT), he has adopted a method of immediately jotting down and learning from complaints and requests raised on the spot. That day, one resident who recognized Ha encouraged him by saying, "Hey, Jung-woo! Let's work hard!" and added, "You need to build a lot of good homes over there (around Gupo-dong)." Ha replied, "We need redevelopment," and immediately wrote the comment down in his notebook. "I make sure to record what residents ask for on the spot," Ha told Financial News. "I want to listen carefully and reflect it in policy."
While emphasizing his identity as an AI expert, he is also trying to highlight his ability as a hands-on troubleshooter who tackles residents' complaints directly in the field. He keeps walking around Gupo-dong, shaking hands and listening to local opinions. Supporters, aware that he is a ruling-party candidate, also showed high expectations.
At Park Min-sik's campaign office, a photo of his mother, who was known as 'Vietnam War veteran's wife' at Gupo Market, is displayed. Park, who said he began living in Buk District at age 7, stressed that he is a 'true Buk District resident' and called himself the "only candidate with sincerity." His office, located on the first floor of a building, has an entrance that is fully visible from outside, underscoring that it is open to anyone.
When he met Financial News at the office on the 18th, Park said, "This election is about choosing the right person to lead Buk District's development." He added, "A candidate should have sincerity toward Buk District, but in that respect, I don't think I can be compared with the other two candidates." Park also stressed, "There is a world of difference between a candidate who feels, 'My home is falling apart,' when Buk District is frustrated and declining, and one who does not."
About Ha, he said, "He seems to see Buk District as nothing more than a stepping stone to enter the National Assembly." Regarding Han, he pointed out, "He is someone who left an irreparable wound on the conservative camp, and that must be preceded by self-reflection and sacrifice." On a possible unification with Han, he dismissed the idea, saying, "It is only a conservative unity in words; I don't see any common ground." He added, "Whether it is a two-way, three-way, or four-way race, I am confident of a clear victory."
At meetings with residents in Buk District, Han Dong-hoon emphasized that he has the power to listen to what people want and make it happen. He said he is a candidate with enough strength to hear residents' proposals and turn them into reality. His pledge to enact the 'Heesu Act,' announced at a press conference on the 19th, is a representative example. Heesu is a child with developmental disabilities and the daughter of a resident who runs 'Heesu's Snack Bar' behind Gupo Market. After hearing Heesu's mother's story, Han said the state has placed too much responsibility on parents alone and promised to strengthen state responsibility by enacting the Heesu Act, or the Act on Guaranteeing the Fundamental Rights of Children with Developmental Disabilities.
When he met Financial News that morning, he said, "Buk District could have changed enough, but politicians have delayed it for various reasons by saying it cannot be done." He added, "There were thoughts that it should be solved based on my unusual drive and visibility, and now that atmosphere is taking shape. They are seeing this as an opportunity and asking me to change the country." To a resident who said, "Ha must not win by default. You need to unify," he replied, "Support is moving toward this side."
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haeram@fnnews.com Lee Hae-ram Reporter