[Point Economy] Rep. Joo Jin-woo, who is running in the People Power Party’s primary for Busan mayor, opened his campaign office on March 28 and began mobilizing support by putting “generational change” and “strong momentum” front and center. The on-site atmosphere, which drew both conservative backers and young voters, signaled a potential shift in the primary dynamics.
At the opening, he said, “Busan is not the end of Korea but the starting point for reaching the world. I will restore civic pride and completely transform the city to make Busan young and strong.”
He emphasized speed as a central pledge. “I will revive Busan’s economic heart through Busan–Ulsan–Gyeongnam integration and by securing 50 trillion KRW (about $330 million) in national funding,” he said, adding, “I will get money flowing throughout Busan.”
He also clarified his political identity. He said he stayed at his post as a senior administrative officer in Park Geun‑hye’s Blue House during the impeachment period and was sidelined after pursuing the law in the Environment Ministry “blacklist” case under the Moon Jae‑in administration. “I’ve stood at the forefront whenever conservatives faced a crisis — I am the rightful heir of conservatism,” he said.
He explained why he entered the primary. “I turned down an uncontested nomination and immediately demanded a primary,” he said, “because I believe division guarantees defeat and unity guarantees victory.” He added, “The candidate who can beat the Democratic Party won’t be one who rests on past achievements but one who drives real change. I’ll prove that with results, not words.”
Reps. Kwak Gyu‑taek, Kim Dae‑sik, Kim Do‑eup, Kim Mi‑ae, Kim Hee‑jung, Park Soo‑young, Lee Seong‑gwon and Jo Seung‑hwan, along with former Rep. Yoo Jae‑joong, attended. About 300 party members, supporters and citizens gathered. Young people from across the country — teens and those in their 20s and 30s — traveled from Seoul, Gyeonggi and other regions, and campaign insiders highlighted his appeal beyond the base and the potential for a surge.
Political observers say Rep. Joo is attempting to crack the existing order by foregrounding “generational change” and “strong leadership.” They view his strategy as a challenge to organization‑focused rivals, aiming to recast the primary as a contest between stability and change by emphasizing momentum and actionable policy plans.
