Suh Byung-soo

On 26 February 2014, Suh officially launched his bid for Busan mayorship at Daehang Saebaji Harbour, Gadeok Island.[22][23] Following are the manifestos included in his declaration:[22][23]

• Building the new airport (replacing the incumbent Gimhae International Airport) in Gadeok Island
• Developing West Busan as a rich riverside city with future high-tech industries and cultural infrastructures
• Creating 200,000 of new jobs, including 50,000 of stable jobs
• Redeveloping:
  • industrial complexes in North, Sasang and Saha District
  • North Port
  • 55 Supply Depot and railway sites

He contested with the former Sasang MP and the ex-ambassador to Japan Kwon Chul-hyun and the then North-Gangseo MP Park Min-shik at the Saenuri preselection.[24] On 3 April, he relinquished his parliamentary membership in order to focus on his campaign.[25] On 30 April, he gained 36.9% and defeated 2 ex-MPs.[26]

Though he led at the beginning,[27] he was expected to lose[28] after the NPAD candidate Kim Young-choon abandoned his campaign and endorsed the independent candidate Oh Keo-don,[29] the former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries who had ever been run for 2 times before. On 4 June, he narrowly beat the former Oceans and Fisheries Minister by a margin of approximately 2%.[30]

Suh was sworn into office on 1 July 2014, approximately a month after the election.[31] He promised "Citizens First" policies and the "Nakdong River Era".[31] Prior to the inauguration, he put a slogan "Happy Citizens, Healthy Busan".[32]

Since before the election, he pledged to build the new airport (replacing the incumbent Gimhae International Airport) in Gadeok Island[22][23] and to resign should the manifesto would not be fulfilled.[33] On 21 June 2016, the Government of Park Geun-hye had brought a decision in which they would expand the incumbent Gimhae Airport, instead of replacing it in either Gadeok Island or Miryang, recommended by the ADP Ingénierie.[34] The Government's determination was criticised as "breaking a promise" from the opposition parties, including the Democratic Party[35][36] and the People's Party,[37][36] despite of the reactions from the Blue House.[38][39] There were earlier prognoses that Suh would stand down for taking responsibilities;[40] in fact, a day before the governmental determination, he ensured "no alternatives except at Gadeok Island".[41] On 27 June, however, he confirmed he would accept the Government's decision and would not step down as Mayor.[42][43]

Suh Byung-soo with Jung Jin-sup

On 16 August 2017, Lotte Corporation had donated 100 billion won (≒ 100 million US$) to Busan for the Opera House development at North Port.[44][45] Suh emphasised that the Opera House would not just be a cultural complex for citizens, but also become a tourist attraction and a new workplaces.[44][45] The construction was begun on 22 May 2018.[46]

On 21 September, the Busan City Government announced perhaps they would purchase 100 billion won to build a landmark, which is the Statue of Liberty, as a part of the North Harbour Redevelopment.[47][48][49] The location was not confirmed yet, but probably nearby Shinseondae Quay, Yongdang-dong, South District.[47][48] According to the plan, the construction would begin in 2020 and be completed by 2022.[48][49] There were criticisms that whether the city is possible to proceed the project despite of owing too much debts.[50] The City Government reacted they have not made any decisions yet.[50]

Suh Byung-soo campaigning at Gwangbok Street, Central District in June 2018

Prior to the 2018 local elections, the Liberty Korea Party (LKP) was agonising over preselection for Busan mayorship.[51] On 16 March 2018, the LKP confirmed the party had nominated Suh as its candidate, instead of holding a preselection.[52] Lee Jong-hyuk, one of potential rival close to the party president Hong Jun-pyo, announced his departure from the party due to his objection towards the decision.[53] Lee, then, launched his bid to run as an independent candidate.[53]

On 3 April, the Democratic Party confirmed they would nominate Oh Keo-don, who had unsuccessfully stood 4 years ago, as its candidate.[54] Therefore, Suh faced the 2nd competition with Oh.[54]

However, according to the opinion polls of Realmeter on 5 May, Suh came far behind to Oh (Oh: 57.7%, Suh: 27.1%).[55] As of June, he failed to narrow the interval between the Democratic candidate.[56][57] On 13 June, he only received 37.16% and was finally defeated to Oh.[58] The LKP also lost many of its district mayors and metropolitan council members to the Democratic Party.[59]