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Second debate for Incheon mayoral candidates...Heated debate over '1,000-won housing' budget and effects
"Yoo Jeong-bok, administration without substance" vs "Park Chan-dae, doesn't understand Incheon city administration"
Democratic Party candidate Park Chan-dae and People Power Party candidate Yoo Jeong-bok, who are running in the June 3 Incheon mayoral election, continued a fierce debate over each other's pledges and morality in their second debate.
This debate, hosted by the Incheon Gyeonggi Journalists Association and the Incheon Journalists Club on the 27th, was made public on the 28th.
Candidate Park Chan-dae intensified his offensive regarding the suspicion of 'virtual asset reporting omission' by candidate Yoo Jeong-bok's couple.
Candidate Park questioned, "Regarding coin investment, (Candidate Yoo) said there was no problem because there was evidence of 500 million won being transferred from his elder brother's account, but in 2005, the Supreme Court ruled a nullification of election for a similar case. He claims the coin belongs to his brother, but wasn't the account used under a borrowed name?"
He also asserted, "On December 4, 2024, when we were trying to restore constitutional order beyond the time of rebellion, it was revealed to the whole world through recordings that Candidate Yoo was busy taking care of family coins that had plummeted due to the rebellion. Candidate Yoo should not be campaigning but should be investigated."
In response, Candidate Yoo refuted, stating that Candidate Park was engaging in 'black propaganda' and 'political conspiracy' to conceal his own incompetence.
Candidate Yoo explained, "Candidate Park is engaging in old-fashioned politics to hide his outrageous remarks (about introducing the Daejang-dong development method in Incheon) and his incompetence and ignorance. The coin has been clearly proven to be owned by my elder brother, and the Supreme Court precedent also states that the owner should register (when reporting assets), not the manager."
He then launched a counterattack, stating that Candidate Park did not properly understand Incheon's current issues, including the termination of the use of the Sudokwon Landfill, and the situation of Incheon's city administration.
Candidate Yoo asked about the plan to secure 240 billion won for Candidate Park's '100-day project for people's livelihoods recovery,' and then criticized, "He says that excess tax revenue is generated because tax revenue estimates are not done properly, but that's a remark made without knowing Incheon's finances well. He's trying to win over citizens' favor."
He also added, "(Candidate Park) still doesn't know the four-party agreement on the Sudokwon Landfill. He talks as if there's just a problem without knowing the details, but to debate, he needs to study and be familiar with it beforehand."
Then Candidate Park countered regarding the funding plan, "Incheon City estimated acquisition tax about 300 billion won less than last year, but given the increase in land and building transactions, 240 billion won can be created through a supplementary budget. There are also additional tax revenues due to surplus correction and economic boom," aiming at Candidate Yoo.
He argued, "Candidate Yoo has only done services so far, eroding the 'golden time' with administration lacking substance. Jemulpo Renaissance, which was meant to revive the old downtown, was rehashed, re-rehashed, and even re-re-rehashed just by changing its name, and the 'Oculus Tower,' which was supposed to be a landmark, was stranded, turning citizens' expectations into disappointment."
The two candidates also engaged in a verbal battle over the budget and effects of '1,000-won housing,' considered an achievement of the 8th popularly elected Incheon city government.
Candidate Yoo stated that 3.6 billion won of city budget was invested to supply 1,000 units of 1,000-won housing, emphasizing, "Only Incheon City provides a place to foster young people's dreams with a rent of 1,000 won a day and 30,000 won a month. 1,000-won housing is an innovative policy that also gives hope to prospective newlywed couples."
In response, Candidate Park said, "It costs 160 billion won for acquisition, but they are misleading by saying only 3.6 billion won of city funds were used. This was possible because the Lee Jae-myung administration increased the public rental housing budget by 7 trillion won."
He also added, "1,000-won housing is not bad as a policy to subsidize housing costs, but it is insufficient to solve the overall housing problem. I asked what other housing policies there are besides 1,000-won housing, but Candidate Yoo could not give a specific answer."
Reform Party candidate Lee Ki-bung announced at the debate that he would promote balanced development in Incheon and create a global industrial city where young people return.
Candidate Lee appealed, "Amidst the negativity of the two major parties, what is most important is execution. Please give your support to the Reform Party candidates who are striving for new practical politics."
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