Heo Seok, Suncheon Mayor Preliminary Candidate, Expresses Regret Over Government's CPTPP Accession Decision

Concerns Over Devastation of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Livestock Industries Due to Mega FTA

[Suncheon=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Heo Seok, a prospective candidate for re-election as mayor of Suncheon (Democratic Party), expressed regret on the 18th regarding the government's decision to apply for membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

On the 15th, Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Hong Nam-ki announced at the Foreign Economic Ministers' Meeting held in writing that “the plan to pursue CPTPP membership was approved,” and it is reported that after reporting to the National Assembly, the application for membership will be submitted within this month.

Although negotiations will be passed on to the next government, the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors are strongly opposing it.

Regarding this, candidate Heo Seok stated, “The CPTPP is a mega FTA involving 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Considering the circumstances of Jeonnam, which is centered on rural areas, and our Suncheon, an integrated urban-rural city with a rural foundation, this is a premature decision,” and expressed deep concern, saying, “While sectors such as semiconductors and automobiles may benefit, agriculture, livestock, and fisheries will inevitably suffer devastating damage.”

He added, “Although there are limits to what local governments can do on their own, we will make multifaceted efforts regarding supplementary measures.”

The origin of the CPTPP lies in the TPP, which was created under U.S. leadership in 2016 to counter China. However, after Trump was elected, the U.S. withdrew in 2017, and in 2018, the remaining 11 countries including Japan, Canada, and Australia reorganized it as the CPTPP.

Meanwhile, candidate Heo Seok is from Haeryong-myeon, Suncheon, graduated from Suncheon High School and Seoul National University’s Department of Economics, and has served as director of the Labor Issues Research Institute that opens the dawn, as well as co-chairman of the Jeonnam joint election campaign committee for presidential candidate Moon Jae-in.

In the 2018 Suncheon mayoral election, he was the only Democratic Party mayoral candidate elected in the three cities of the eastern Jeonnam region and is currently serving as the 7th popularly elected mayor of Suncheon.