[Interview] Cheon Jeong-bae: "I am the person who best supports the Moon administration"

Promises including the '3+3 Gwangju Development Strategy'

Cheon Jeong-bae, the Minsaengdang candidate running for Gwangju Seo-gu Eul in the April 15 general election, is meeting and talking with residents at Uncheon Lake Park on the 7th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] “Recently, I personally negotiated and drafted bills for the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (Gong-su-cheo) and election law reform. I, Cheon Jeong-bae, am the person who best supports the Moon Jae-in administration.”

Cheon Jeong-bae, the Minsaeng Party candidate running in Gwangju Seo-gu Eul in the April 15 general election, said in an interview with Asia Economy on the 7th, “I am the person with the strongest will for reform,” and added, “I have even greater will and capability to ensure the success of the Moon Jae-in administration going forward.”

As an election pledge, Cheon proposed the ‘3+3 Gwangju Development Strategy,’ focusing on nurturing three strategic industries: artificial intelligence (AI), eco-friendly automobiles, and the energy industry. Cheon said, “If the Democratic Party sweeps the election, it will be purely first-term lawmakers. Can regional development happen immediately that way? There is a sentiment among residents that at least some experienced, multi-term lawmakers should be present.”

Regarding the election outlook, Cheon expressed confidence, saying, “(The grassroots public sentiment) is rapidly rising. Ultimately, I will win.” Gwangju Seo-gu Eul is a district where Cheon and Yang Hyang-ja of the Democratic Party are having a rematch. In the 20th general election, Cheon won his sixth term by securing 54.52% of the vote, defeating Yang, who received 31.48%.

Recent polls show Yang leading Cheon by a large margin. According to a poll conducted by TV Chosun through Matrix Research on the 4th, surveying 500 men and women aged 18 and over residing in Gwangju Seo-gu Eul (response rate 24%, margin of error ±4.4 percentage points at a 95% confidence level), Yang received 63.2%, while Cheon received 20.4%. For more details, refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.

Regarding his unique strengths, Cheon emphasized, “I have the capability to make a greater contribution to preventing the Future United Party from coming to power in the next presidential election and ensuring the fourth term of the democratic government.”