Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, held his final local rally in front of a crowd of 3,500 citizens and supporters (according to police estimates) in front of Busan Station on the 1st. Lee held a placard with commitments such as “Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries transfer,” “HMM attraction,” and “Southeast Investment Bank establishment.” Standing on either side of Lee were members of the Democratic Party’s election strategy committee holding placards with the phrase “A wave in Busan” written one character at a time.
After finishing the photo session, Lee began his speech, saying, “When I looked at the placard, I realized something was missing,” and pledged to bring the maritime court to Busan as well. He added, “People say it should be in Incheon, why in Busan? If the maritime logistics industry develops, there will be many cases. Can one court cover it all?”
Lee Jae-myung poured all efforts into ‘PK’ (Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam), which he selected as his last local rally spot. The rally in front of Busan Station was supported by Kim Kyeong-soo, the general election strategy chairman, Jeong Eun-gyeong, the general election strategy chairman, Han Chang-min, the joint election strategy chairman, lawmaker Jeon Jae-soo, former National Security Office second vice chief Kim Hyun-jong, and Kim Du-gwan, the local decentralization and innovation committee chairman. Father Song Gi-in, known as a mentor to former presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in, also visited the rally site.
In his speech, Lee emphasized making Busan a base for a maritime power in the era of the Arctic sea route. He promised to fulfill the transfer of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and HMM as provincial commitments. Particularly in the case of HMM transfer, he emphasized completing the headquarters transfer even if there are workers who continue to oppose it. Regarding the Southeast Investment Bank (tentative name) announced that morning as a pledge, he appraised it as a more realistic plan compared to the transfer of the Korea Development Bank.
Lee Jae-myung said, “They say Lee Jae-myung has a high fulfillment rate of commitments, but it's not because of some extraordinary superhuman ability. It’s just that what can be fulfilled, is done by any means necessary, despite government hindrances. That’s why the rate is high,” and added, “I will create a national policy bank so that the Southeast Investment Bank can support the maritime logistics industry and its supporting industries.”
During the rally in Ulsan, attended by 4,000 citizens and supporters (according to police estimates), a “union court establishment” was mentioned. Lee noted, “Assembly member Kim Tae-sun, head of the execution department, said if a labor court is to be created, it should be established in Ulsan first, as it’s a city of workers,” and added, “I haven’t responded yet. Isn’t the main reason for politics to ensure everyone lives well and prospers?”
He also strongly urged voters not to vote for Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate. He emphasized, “If puppet of Jeon Kwang-hoon and avatar of Yoon Suk-yeol, Kim Moon-soo, returns, it means the coup leader Yoon Suk-yeol will come back as the supreme king, continuing the era of rebellion,” and added, “We absolutely cannot forgive or accept this. We must prove by voting that this country is a democratic republic.”