Policy Gone, Only Allegations Left... Revelations Intensify in Battleground Districts

As the June 3 local elections draw near, the race is being tainted by negative attacks from both the ruling and opposition parties. With allegations flying back and forth, the election atmosphere is growing increasingly chaotic. According to political circles on the 21st, the negative exchanges between candidates are intensifying in 16 regional governor and mayor races, as well as 14 by-elections for National Assembly seats. The fiercest battles are unfolding in closely contested districts, where candidates are trying to shift momentum at the last minute.
■ Seoul: dispute over missing rebar and 'drunken violence'
In the Seoul mayoral election, which is shaping up to be the most hard-fought among the regional races, Jeong Won-oh of the Democratic Party of Korea and Oh Se-hoon of the PPP are clashing over the missing rebar incident at Samseong station on the GTX-A line and the controversy over 'drunken violence.'
On the first day of the official campaign period, Jeong visited the Samseong station construction site. He criticized the project, saying, "Even after a report was made about poor construction, work continued." He added, "I do not understand why construction kept going." He also pointed out, "It is not reasonable to keep building upward without reinforcement. Construction should be halted until a reinforcement method is found."
Oh responded on social media, saying, "This is just like former Mayor Park Won-soon." He countered, "The Hangang Bus has surpassed 300,000 cumulative passengers, yet they want to stop it even though there are no safety issues. They also seem ready to tear down the entire Garden of Gratitude, which is brightening Gwanghwamun Square."
The Ulsan mayoral election is also becoming increasingly messy. On the 20th, the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute raised allegations that Kim Sang-wook, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate, received sexual favors in Manila, Philippines, in 2023. Kim called the claim "an outright falsehood" and said he would take legal action. Kang Jun-hyun, the chief spokesperson, pushed back, saying, "Low-level negative campaigning is repeated every election, and it is highly inappropriate."
In addition, the Busan mayoral race is also turning into a fierce battle over allegations involving Chun Jae-soo, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate, including ties to the Unification Church and an assault on one of his aides, as well as allegations against PPP candidate Park Hyung-joon over preferential treatment for a gallery run by his spouse and gains from the LCT Landmark Tower.
■ Stock-parking allegation also surfaces in Busan Buk-gu-gap
Negative exchanges are also unfolding in National Assembly by-election districts. In Busan Buk-gu-gap constituency, where Ha Jung-woo of the Democratic Party of Korea, Park Min-sik of the PPP, and independent Han Dong-hoon are running, the candidates are clashing over allegations that Ha engaged in 'stock parking.' Critics say Ha sold 4,444 shares of AI company Upstage to an individual for 100 won, which amounted to stock parking, and that Upstage's success in attracting 560 billion won in investment while Ha was serving as Senior Presidential Secretary for AI Future Planning raises concerns about a conflict of interest.
Han Dong-hoon said on social media that because Ha Jung-woo, who was affiliated with Naver, received shares in Upstage, a competitor to Naver, "Ha Jung-woo would make a lot of money if Naver does badly and Upstage does well." He added, "If some Naver executive allowed that for Ha, it would be a breach of trust that caused losses to Naver." In response, Ha said the allegations raised by Han's camp reflected "the nasty habits of political prosecutors." He also explained the disposal process, saying, "The stock sale was carried out lawfully."
haeram@fnnews.com Lee Hae-ram Reporter