to leave a comment.
Second debate for Incheon mayoral candidates...Heated debate over '1,000-won housing' budget and effectiveness
"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 for 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 alleged 'omission of virtual asset declaration' by candidate Yoo Jeong-bok's couple.
Candidate Park questioned, "Regarding coin investment, (Candidate Yoo) claimed there was no problem because there was evidence of 500 million won 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 isn't he using a borrowed-name account?"
He further claimed, "On December 4, 2024, when trying to restore constitutional order after a time of rebellion, it was revealed through a recording for all to see that Candidate Yoo was busy taking care of family coins that had plummeted due to the rebellion. Candidate Yoo should be under investigation, not campaigning."
In response, candidate Yoo refuted that candidate Park was engaging in 'black propaganda' and 'political maneuvering' to hide his incompetence.
Candidate Yoo explained, "Candidate Park is engaging in outdated politics to hide his outrageous remarks (about introducing the Daejang-dong development method in Incheon) and his incompetence and ignorance.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 brother, and the Supreme Court precedent also states that the owner, not the manager, must register (when declaring assets)."
He then counterattacked, saying that candidate Park did not properly understand Incheon's current issues, including the termination of the metropolitan landfill use, and the state of Incheon city administration.
Candidate Yoo asked about candidate Park's plan to secure 240 billion won for his '100-day project for people's livelihood recovery', 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 city's finances well. He's trying to win over citizens."
He also said, "(Candidate Park) still doesn't know the four-party agreement on the metropolitan landfill. He talks as if there's a problem without knowing the details; he should study and familiarize himself beforehand if he wants to debate."
Then, candidate Park countered regarding the fund-raising plan, targeting candidate Yoo, "Incheon City estimated acquisition tax about 300 billion won less than last year, but considering the increase in land and building transactions, 240 billion won can be created through supplementary budget. There are also additional tax revenues due to surplus adjustment and economic boom."
He argued, "Candidate Yoo has only done consulting so far, eroding the 'golden time' with administration lacking substance. Jemulpo Renaissance, which claims to revive the old city center, was rehashed, rehashed again, and even a fourth time by just changing its name, and the 'Oculus Tower' landmark was stranded, turning citizens' expectations into disappointment."
The two candidates also debated the budget and effectiveness of '1,000-won housing', which is considered an achievement of the 8th popularly elected Incheon city government.
Candidate Yoo emphasized, stating that 3.6 billion won of city budget was invested to supply 1,000 units of 1,000-won housing, "Only Incheon City provides a place to foster young people's dreams with a daily rent of 1,000 won and a monthly rent of 30,000 won. 1,000-won housing is an innovative policy that gives hope to prospective newlyweds."
In response, candidate Park said, "He is misleading by saying that only 3.6 billion won of city funds were spent, when 160 billion won was incurred in purchase costs. This was possible because the Lee Jae-myung government increased the rental housing budget by 7 trillion won."
He added, "1,000-won housing is not a bad policy for subsidizing housing costs, but it is insufficient to solve the overall housing problem. I asked what other housing policies exist besides 1,000-won housing, but candidate Yoo has not been able to give a concrete answer."
Lee Ki-bung, a candidate from the Reform Party, 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 power. Please give your support to the candidates of the Reform Party who are striving for new practical politics."
Newsletter
Get key news delivered to your email every morning
to leave a comment.