Candidates in the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential primary made efforts to secure votes in Daegu and Gyeongbuk (TK) as well as Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam (PK) at a joint speech event in the Yeongnam region on the 20th. Candidate Lee Jae-myung said, “I will meticulously prepare the Arctic route and implement the transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan,” while candidate Kim Kyeong-soo stated, “I will create a dense transportation network in Yeongnam and establish five megacities.” Candidate Kim Dong-yeon emphasized, “I will transfer both the Industrial Bank and the Export-Import Bank to Busan.”
The Democratic Party of Korea held a 'joint speech event for the selection of presidential candidates in the Yeongnam region' at the Ulsan Exhibition Convention Center at 3 p.m. that day. The primary candidates of the Democratic Party announced pledges for the economic revival of the Yeongnam region.
Candidate Lee Jae-myung revealed plans to make PK a marine city and TK a city of secondary batteries and bio high-tech industries. Born in Andong, Lee called himself 'a son of Yeongnam,' appealing for support. The majority of Democratic Party supporters present at the joint speech event chanted Lee’s name.
The candidate said, “I envision a scene where cargo gathered in Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam spreads across the globe through the Arctic route,” and added, “If global competitive corporations in shipbuilding, shipping, and logistics are located in the hinterland, the economic revival of the Southeast region will become a reality.”
He also stated, “Daegu and Gyeongbuk have limitless potential in manufacturing and high-tech industries. I will create an industrial belt and a cluster of future automobile parts and foster the bio-industry as a driving force for future growth,” and noted, “The former glory of being the cradle of Korea's industrialization will be revived.”
Candidate Kim Kyeong-soo announced plans to establish a transportation network in the Yeongnam region to create jobs and implement megacities in each area to secure growth momentum. Kim, who previously served as the governor of Gyeongnam, emphasized the legitimacy inherited from President Roh Moo-hyun.
The candidate said, “I will create a circular railway network connecting Busan, Changwon, and Ulsan, as well as a large circular railway connecting Changwon, Dongdaegu, and Gyeongbuk,” emphasizing that “the transportation network is the 'minimum condition' for young people to not leave Yeongnam and live here with us.”
He added, “The manufacturing industries in Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam and Daegu-Gyeongbuk will attract young people to desirable jobs through AI (artificial intelligence) and digital transformation,” and stated, “We will transfer the Industrial Bank and the Export-Import Bank to Busan and turn Gyeongnam into a MECARO hub for aerospace and defense industries. The integrated airport of Daegu-Gyeongbuk and the Gadeok new airport will also be completed within my term.”
Candidate Kim Dong-yeon highlighted his 'economic president' image and pledged to transfer all financial public enterprises to Busan. He wore a jersey of the Busan-based baseball team Lotte Giants, with a badge representing Changwon's NC Dinos on his chest. He also walked in to the song 'Rajenka, Save Us' by the rock band Next, associated with the Daegu Samsung Lions.
The candidate stated, “I met President Trump three times while serving as Minister of Economy. I proudly succeeded in the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement and exchange rate negotiations,” and emphasized, “The person who will protect national interests against the re-emerging Trump is me, Kim Dong-yeon.”
In a speech distributed to the media, the candidate remarked, “Young people are leaving Yeongnam. Busan even mockingly calls itself ‘The Old Man and the Sea,’” and declared, “I will complete the transfer of all financial public enterprises to Busan. I will transfer the Industrial Bank and the Export-Import Bank to Busan.”