Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited the Busan New Port Promotion Center in Gangseo-gu, Busan, on the morning of the 6th and shook hands with Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon. During the meeting, Mayor Park requested the Democratic Party’s efforts to solve regional issues, such as the Special Act on the Global Hub City, whereas Lee expressed a difference of opinion, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the Arctic route issue. /Yonhap News
Lee stated during his meeting with Park Hyung-joon at the Busan Port Authority that the Arctic route was an urgent and important issue. Mayor Park agreed it was significant but not urgent and suggested that the party should respond to matters like the relocation of the Korea Development Bank and the Global Hub City Special Act.
In the morning, Lee visited the Busan Port Authority New Port Office for a meeting with Mayor Park and a forum on the Arctic route. Attending from the Democratic Party were Cho Seung-rae, the chief spokesperson, Lee Hae-sik, the Chief of Staff to the party leader, Kim Tae-sun, and members of the National Assembly including Jeon Jae-soo, Jun Hyun-hee, and Lee Un-ju. Lee stated, “Mayor Park sees the Arctic route as more important than urgent, but I think it’s both very urgent and important,” adding that the route is already operational and is expected to become quite active by the 2030s.
After the forum, Mayor Park told reporters he was very disappointed because he had hoped for significant discussions. He stated that the meeting was not just about explaining the Arctic route but also about hearing the Democratic leader’s response to Busan’s key concerns like the Global Hub City Special Act and the relocation of the Korea Development Bank. He felt that his concerns were ignored and perceived it as indifference not only towards him but towards the citizens of Busan.
Chief Spokesperson Cho Seung-rae noted in a briefing that a limited amount of time prevented a thorough conversation but assured that Lee would review the issues discussed. Regarding Mayor Park’s suggestion of neglect, Cho mentioned that no politician would meet with local citizens and leaders with the intent of ignoring them, calling Park’s remarks exaggerated.
Additionally, Mayor Park claimed that during the closed meeting, when Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Jae-soo attempted to provide further explanation, Lee interrupted and left. Cho explained that Jeon had joined midway due to his flight schedule, and the remark was intended to suggest continuing the discussion later.
Following the meeting, Lee received a briefing from Busan Port Authority officials about the port hinterland complexes. Jeon Jae-soo said, “Once the Arctic route opens, Russian berths will be gathered, and the capacity here needs to be greatly increased for it to become a hub for Eurasian logistics.”
Lastly, Lee planned to have a tea meeting with Father Song Ki-in, a mentor to former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in, after his schedule at the Busan Port Authority but it was canceled due to personal reasons of Father Song.