Park, Chung clash in their 1st debate

Park Won-soon, right, speaks while Chung Mong-joon looks on during their first open debate at the Korea Press Foundation in Seoul, Monday. Park, a member of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy, and Chung of the ruling Saenuri Party are competing in the Seoul mayoral election on June 4. / Yonhap

By Jun Ji-hye

Park Won-soon and Chung Mong-joon went head to head in their first open debate in the Seoul mayoral election scheduled for June 4.

Both stressed that they were the most qualified to take responsibility for the safety of Seoul citizens, apparently wary of public sentiment following the Sewol ferry tragedy.

The debate was hosted by the Kwanhun Club, a fraternity of senior journalists, at the Korea Press Foundation in Seoul.

“Many young children were victimized due to the fault of adults. I will devote myself to create a safe nation to ensure that those lives that were lost were not wasted,” said Chung of the ruling Saenuri Party.

He said the capital city is in trouble as its economy has been slow while crime rates have been soaring.

“Park seems to stand still despite this serious situation. I will wake up the sleeping Seoul,” said Chung.

Son of the late Hyundai Group founder Chung Ju-yung, he said the safety of citizens cannot be protected the way things are currently done. “If elected, I will help citizens live in a safer community with decent jobs and welfare services.”

Chung, who also served as a vice chairman of football’s world governing body FIFA, said he has accomplished things others told him would be impossible to achieve, including attracting the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup.

For his part, Park of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) said it was time to say goodbye to old conventions and create a new era of change.

“Society has only focused on spurious development, fierce competition, speed and massive materialism, without paying attention to citizens’ lives and safety,” Park said. “What is more important is which direction society is headed, not how fast it has developed.”

He recalled the time when he visited Paengmok Port on Jindo Island where relatives of Sewol victims were gathered.

“I felt a huge responsibility. I could not say anything apart from, ‘I am sorry,’” he said. “People in Seoul should abide by the rules, trust each other and refrain from reckless demolition.”

He also attempted to differentiate himself from Chung by emphasizing his image as an ordinary person.

“I have quietly worked to change Seoul for the past two years and six months. The change cannot stop here,” said Park. “I only think about citizens. I want to laugh and cry with Seoul citizens. I want to create a warm community.”

Follow Jun Ji-hye on Twitter @TheKopJihye