Governor and Jeonju Mayor Candidate Pools Continue Recruiting Journalists... Some Candidates Complain of 'Hiring Difficulties'
[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] As the local elections approach next year, the value of reporters is rising.
Each candidate preparing to run is actively recruiting regional newspaper reporters, while some contenders are complaining of a 'recruitment shortage,' saying it is difficult to find suitable personnel.
An Ho-young, a member of the National Assembly (Wanju, Jinan, Muju, Jangsu) who decided to run for the Jeonbuk governor election next year, recruited Song Ki-taek as his secretary two months ago. Secretary Song is a former reporter of Jeolla Ilbo and was active in the campaign of candidate Lee Sang-jik during the 18th general election in 2012.
Kim Seong-ju, a member of the National Assembly (Jeonju-byeong), who is still surrounded by speculation regarding his candidacy, recently decided to hire Park Seul-yong, who previously worked as a correspondent for a news agency, as his secretary. Park, who moved from a regional newspaper to a news agency, was suddenly appointed, leading to speculation in the local political circles that Kim might be considering running for governor.
In the camp of Seo Geo-seok, former president of Jeonbuk National University, who is running for the superintendent of education election, it is reported that Jang Tae-yeop, a former photojournalist of Jeolla Ilbo and former president of the Jeonbuk Journalists Association, recently joined.
Candidates for Jeonju mayor have also jumped into recruiting former reporters.
In the camp of Jo Ji-hoon, former president of the Jeonbuk Economic and Trade Promotion Agency, Hwang Seong-jo from Jeolla Ilbo and Kim Seong-ah, who worked as a reporter at Jeonbuk Joongang Newspaper, are active.
In the camp of Woo Beom-gi, former Jeonbuk provincial deputy governor for political affairs, Lee Ran-woo, who served as the public relations officer of Jeonbuk Province and secretary general of Dongjak District Office in Seoul, is participating. Lee has experience working at Jeonbuk Ilbo and Sae Jeonbuk Newspaper.
In the case of Lim Jeong-yeop, former Wanju county governor, Kim Chang-jong, who has worked closely with him for a long time, is assisting him closely again this time. Kim worked as a reporter for Sae Jeonbuk Newspaper and served as editor-in-chief of Jeonju Ilbo.
Jo Yong-sik, former Jeonbuk Police Agency chief, running for Iksan mayor, recruited Lee Han-ho, who worked at Jeolla Ilbo and Jeonbuk Research Institute.
In addition, it is known that many reporters are helping around some other candidates.
Many former reporters are also positioned with incumbent heads preparing for a third or re-election.
In the case of Governor Song Ha-jin, six to seven people, including Han Min-hee, director of external cooperation, and Oh Jae-seung, head of public relations, are working as fixed-term public officials. It is expected that once Governor Song's third-term candidacy becomes clear, they will resign from public office and begin full-fledged campaign activities.
Also, in the case of Hwang In-hong, Muju county governor, Kim Bok-san is working; for Jang Young-su, Jangsu county governor, Shin Hye-rin and Moon Yo-han; for Shim Min, Imsil county governor, Kim Eun-sook and Kim Dae-woong; and for Yoo Ki-sang, Gochang county governor, Kim Byung-jin?all former reporters?are working in the public relations line.
The reason why former reporters are preferred among candidates for next year's local elections is interpreted as their wide range of external activities as public relations officers, as well as their recognized quick situational judgment and agility.
Also, the ability to maintain an organic relationship with local media is analyzed as one of the factors for their 'high value.'
On the other hand, some candidates find it difficult to recruit former reporters despite their efforts.
They are contacting reporters after evaluating internal and external opinions and verifying individual abilities, but are having difficulty obtaining a definite commitment to join the campaign.
Reporters mentioned as recruitment targets are also reluctant to join campaigns without a clear chance of winning, and they must be aware of the negative views toward reporters joining campaigns.
Jeonju=Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho stonepeak@asiae.co.kr
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