After Busan…

President Lee Jae Myung has intensified visits to the Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang region ahead of the June 3 local elections, drawing criticism from the opposition over possible election interference. During a visit to Busan for the annual Oceans Day ceremony, Lee pledged to develop the city into Korea’s maritime capital and expand regional logistics and tourism infrastructure. The People Power Party accused the president of using state events to support ruling party candidates in closely contested races, including the Busan mayoral election and a parliamentary by-election in Busan’s Buk-A district. [PARK YONG-SEOK]